ETTU - European Table Tennis Union - News (2 Cititori)

[Milica Nikolic]

A full programme of finals at the JOOLA Europe Youth Series Serbia Open in Beočin showed the rising stars of European table tennis. Across six title events, players from Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Spain captured gold after a series of high-quality performances, dramatic comebacks, and notable upsets.

Under-15 Girls’ Singles

Poland’s Aleksandra NAWROCKA, seeded No. 9, claimed the Under-15 Girls’ Singles crown after defeating Austria’s Sophia PICHLER in a tight final. NAWROCKA showed she can withstood the pressure in key moments to secure a 3–1 victory (12–10, 12–10, 10–12, 11–5).

PICHLER reached the final following a hard-fought 3–1 win against Czechia’s Laura MARSICKOVA (11–7, 11–8, 6–11, 13–11), while NAWROCKA advanced with a strong semifinal performance against Romania’s Bianca Stefania TOMA (6–11, 11–6, 11–9, 11–4).

Photos by: Studio VUJICIN

Under-15 Boys’ Singles

Czechia’s Ondrej MORAVEK, the No. 2 seed, clinched the Under-15 Boys’ Singles title after a dramatic five-game battle with Poland’s Jakub TURECKI. In a match full of momentum shifts, MORAVEK ultimately prevailed 3–2 (12–14, 9–11, 11–3, 11–6, 12–10). Despite the defeat, TURECKI delivered the biggest upset of the tournament, reaching the final as the No. 24 seed.

Earlier, MORAVEK booked his place in the final with a confident 3–0 win over Spain’s Francisco SERRANO (11–9, 11–2, 11–7), while TURECKI advanced by defeating Spain’s Roger QUESADA 3–0 (11–1, 11–8, 11–4).

Under-13 Boys’ Singles

Top seed Filip NAGY of Slovakia delivered a strong performance to win the Under-13 Boys’ Singles title, defeating No. 2 seed Marcos GÓMEZ of Spain in straight games (11–8, 11–9, 11–9).

NAGY reached the final with a 3–0 victory over Greece’s Theofanis MARKOULAKIS (11–7, 11–5, 11–6), while GÓMEZ battled past Moldova’s Nicolae BUCUR 3–1 (11–3, 11–6, 17–19, 11–2).

Under-13 Girls’ Singles

Czechia’s Adela BRHELOVA, seeded No. 2, secured the Under-13 Girls’ Singles title by overcoming top-seeded Barbora Melisa GUASSARDO of Slovakia in a strong four-game final. After losing the first game, BRHELOVA took control and closed the match 3–1 (9–11, 11–9, 11–4, 11–5).

To reach the final, BRHELOVA won a tight five-game duel against Slovakia’s Bianka BACSOVÁ (10–12, 11–6, 10–12, 11–4, 11–8). GUASSARDO advanced with a 3–1 win over Croatia’s Sara RIVETTI (11–3, 11–7, 8–11, 11–8).

Under-15 Mixed Doubles

Czechia celebrated another gold through Ondrej MORAVEK and Laura MARSICKOVA, who captured the Under-15 Mixed Doubles title after a spectacular comeback. The Czech pair overturned a two-game deficit to defeat Poland’s Aleksandra NAWROCKA and Jakub TURECKI 3–2 (8–11, 7–11, 11–7, 11–7, 11–5).

In the semifinals, NAWROCKA and TURECKI advanced with a 3–1 win over Austria’s Sophia PICHLER and Croatia’s Mateo TERIHAJ (11–7, 6–11, 11–3, 11–6), while MORAVEK and MARSICKOVA defeated Slovakia’s Barbora Melisa GUASSARDO and Rastislav ŠVEC 3–1 (11–7, 10–12, 11–8, 11–8).

Under-13 Mixed Doubles

Spain’s Carmen GÓMEZ and Marcos GÓMEZ secured the Under-13 Mixed Doubles gold after a remarkable comeback in the final. Trailing 0–2, the Spanish players rallied to defeat Slovakia’s Filip NAGY and Bianka BACSOVÁ 3–2 (3–11, 6–11, 11–5, 11–9, 11–6).

Earlier, the Spanish pairings swept Elina HU (SUI) and Milan VUČETIĆ (MNE) in straight games (11–4, 11–8, 11–9). On the opposite table, NAGY and BACSOVÁ edged Croatia’s Karla IVČIĆ and Ivan SMILJANIĆ 3–2 (10–12, 12–10, 9–11, 11–5, 11–6).

The post Young Talents Shine Across All Singles and Mixed Doubles Events in Beočin first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The ITTF World Youth Championships 2025 concluded after eight days of world-class action at the BT Arena in Cluj-Napoca, marking a standout edition for European table tennis. With a total of nine medals, Europe celebrated a strong performance, highlighted by Wales’ Anna HURSEY, Germany’s Mia GRIESEL and Koharu ITAGAKI, the impressive mixed doubles run of Romania’s Iulian CHIRIȚĂ and HURSEY, as well as the doubles success of Türkiye’s Gorkem OCAL and Kenan KAHRAMAN. Europe also shone in the team events, with Italy’s Under-15 Boys’ Team reaching the final.

Wales’ Anna HURSEY delivered one of the standout European campaigns, clinching bronze in the Under-19 Girls’ Singles. She fell in the semifinal to China’s Yuxuan QIN, who went on to defeat teammate Geman ZONG for the title. To reach the podium, HURSEY defeated Taipei’s Yi-Tian YEH, Ukraine’s Veronika MATIUNINA, and Czechia’s Veronika POLAKOVA

HURSEY added a second medal, a gold in the Under-19 Girls’ Doubles alongside Germany’s Mia GRIESEL. The pair overcame the Ukrainian–Egyptian duo of Veronika MATIUNINA and Hana GODA in the semifinal before reaching the ultimate stage. France’s Leana HOCHART and Elise PUJOL and Belgium’s Lilou MASSART / Spain’s Maria BERZOSA also reached the quarterfinals.

In the Under-19 Boys’ Singles, Japan secured both gold and silver through Ryuusei KAWAKAMI and Kazuki YOSHIYAMA, with China earning both bronze medals (Hechen LI and Ruibo WEN). Europe did not reach the podium but delivered several deep runs. Romania’s Iulian CHIRIȚĂ, Spain’s Daniel BERZOSA, and France’s Flavien COTON all reached the quarterfinals, finishing just one step short of a medal.

Europe did climb the podium in the Under-19 Boys’ Doubles, where Portugal’s Tiago ABIODUN and Romania’s Iulian CHIRIȚĂ secured bronze. Chinese Taipei’s Guan-Hong KUO and Hsien-Chia HSU claimed the title ahead of Japan’s KAWAKAMI and YOSHIYAMA. Quarterfinal positions went to Hungary’s Balazs LEI and David SZANTOSI and Spain’s Daniel BERZOSA and Poland’s Marcel BLASZCZYK.

In Mixed Doubles, Anna HURSEY celebrated her third medal, joining Iulian CHIRIȚĂ for a superb silver medal run. The European pair reached the final before falling to China’s Hechen LI and Yuxuan QIN. France’s Flavien COTON and Leana HOCHART and Slovakia’s Samuel ARPAS and Spain’s Maria BERZOSA reached the quarterfinals.

In the Under-19 Teams Events, Europe’s best placements came from Poland and France in the boys’ competition, and Germany and France in the girls’ event, each finishing in the quarterfinal stage.

A major highlight for Europe came in the Under-15 Girls’ Singles, where Germany’s Koharu ITAGAKI added the World Championship title to the European crown she had won earlier this year in Czechia. She defeated China’s Qihui ZHU in the final, confirming her status as one of the brightest young stars in world table tennis. Germany’s Josephina NEUMANN reached the quarterfinals.

ITAGAKI and NEUMANN then combined for a bronze medal in the Under-15 Girls’ Doubles. France’s Nina GUO ZHENG and Alexia NODIN and Czechia’s Hanka KODET and Romania’s Patricia STOICA finished among the quarterfinalists.

In the Under-15 Boys’ Singles, Italy’s Danilo FASO reached the quarterfinals, the highest European finish in the category.

Europe added another significant medal in the Under-15 Boys’ Doubles, where Türkiye’s Gorkem OCAL and Kenan KAHRAMAN secured silver, pushing China’s Guanhong ZHOU and Haiyang YU all the way in the final. Quarterfinalists included Germany’s Jonas RINDERER and Poland’s Jan MRUGALA and Italy’s Francesco TREVISAN and Danilo FASO.

Italy delivered a standout performance in the Under-15 Boys’ Teams Event, reaching the final and earning silver after a narrow loss to Chinese Taipei. The Italian squad, Francesco TREVISAN, Danilo FASO, and Giulio CAMPAGNA, produced a major upset by defeating China on their way to the gold-medal match. Türkiye concluded their campaign in the quarterfinals.

In the Under-15 Girls’ Teams Event, Germany and France both reached the quarterfinals.

The post Europe Shines in Cluj-Napoca: Nine Medals and Landmark Performances at the ITTF World Youth Championships first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

European table tennis enjoyed an outstanding showing at the ITTF World Youth Championships 2025, where the continent’s young stars collected nine medals across all categories. Hosted in Cluj-Napoca, Romania delivered a flawlessly organised event, earning widespread praise from delegations, coaches, and athletes. The exceptional environment, high-level presentation, and warm hospitality provided the ideal stage for Europe’s rising talents to excel.

“I am excited and grateful. As the host of WYC Cluj-Napoca 2025, I dare to say that it was a truly memorable event, organized to the highest standards of the RTTF and ITTF in a perfect collaboration. It stands as a symbol of continuous value and growth, an example of recognising the young generation present in Cluj as the future of world table tennis, and of honoring them by offering an organisational standard equal to that of senior world events.

This is how we can hope their dream of becoming great champions will continue,by ensuring that athletes and their coaches feel supported, respected, and inspired to give their best, knowing how much we all care about them.

There were countless aspects that were acknowledged and appreciated by all delegations: eight days of competition, eight hours a day, broadcast live on TVR SPORT, the Romanian national television; an atmosphere filled with extraordinary, positive energy; and athletes genuinely happy to compete at the highest level. The outstanding results were a natural consequence of this environment.

There was great passion and creativity behind the event, but what mattered most was the collective enthusiasm from everyone involved. I want to thank all contributors for making this edition of WYC Cluj 2025 truly unforgettable.

I wish everyone a wonderful end of the year—filled with smiles and high dreams,” said ITTF Executive Vice President, WYC Cluj-Napoca Competition Director, and RTTF Executive Board Member and Marketing Manager Beatrice ROMANESCU.

Europe celebrated two world titles:

• Koharu ITAGAKI (GER) – Under 15 Girls’ Singles Champion
• Mia GRIESEL (GER) / Anna HURSEY (WAL) – Under 19 Girls’ Doubles Champions

Three Silver Medals

• Italy – Under 15 Boys’ Team
• Gorkem OCAL / Kenan KAHRAMAN (TUR) – Under 15 Boys’ Doubles
• Iulian CHIRIȚĂ (ROU) / Anna HURSEY (WAL) – Under 19 Mixed Doubles

Four Bronze Medals

• Anna HURSEY (WAL) – Under 19 Girls’ Singles
• Tiago ABIODUN (POR) / Iulian CHIRIȚĂ (ROU) – Under 19 Boys’ Doubles
• Hana GODA (EGY) / Veronika MATIUNINA (UKR) – Under 19 Girls’ Doubles
• Josephina NEUMANN / Koharu ITAGAKI (GER) – Under 15 Girls’ Doubles

The post Romania Delivers a World-Class Event at the 2025 ITTF World Youth Championships first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

France produced one of the most dramatic performances of the tournament so far, pushing unbeaten Korea Republic to the edge before narrowly losing 8–7 in the Stage 2 of the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup 2025.

In Chengdu The French side refreshed its lineup for Stage 2, with Félix LEBRUN and Prithika PAVADE starting the tie in mixed doubles, while Alexis LEBRUN and Jia Nan YUAN handled singles duties.

Alexis delivered a world-class display in the men’s singles, stunning Woojin JANG 2–1 and later teaming up with Félix to win the men’s doubles in straight games — a result that brought France level at 6–6 and reignited their hopes.

However, in the decisive women’s doubles, PAVADE and Jia Nan came agonizingly close to a huge upset. They won the opening game and fought back from 6–10 in the decider, but Nayeong KIM and Hyojoo CHOI held their nerve to seal victory for Korea and preserve their perfect record.

Croatia faced an unstoppable Chinese team, falling 8–0, but not without moments of brilliance. In mixed doubles, Ivor BAN and Hana ARAPOVIĆ were outmatched by world champions Chuqin WANG and Yingsha SUN, while Man KUAI dominated the women’s singles against Ivana MALOBABIĆ.

The European highlight came from Tomislav PUCAR, who pushed Lin Shidong to a spectacular 14–12 opening game. The second game produced one of the rallies of the day, featuring PUCAR’S stunning edge-ball winner after a sequence of acrobatic lobs. Despite the Croatian’s inspired play, LIN closed the match 2–0.

Germany earned an important 8–5 victory over Sweden. The tie opened with a comeback from Annett KAUFMANN, Patrick FRANZISKA, who overturned a tough start to beat Christina KÄLLBERG, Kristian KARLSSON 2–1. Sweden immediately struck back, as Linda BERGSTRÖM edged Sabine WINTER in a dramatic 2–1 duel.

Germany then grabbed control through Dang QIU, who produced a superb performance to defeat Anton KÄLLBERG 3–0 in the men’s singles, giving Germany crucial momentum.

Sweden reduced the gap in the men’s doubles, with KÄLLBERG/Karlsson narrowly topping DUDA/QIU 2–1, but Germany quickly responded: WINTER/MITTELHAM claimed a tight first game (12–10) against KÄLLBERG/BERGSTRÖM, securing the final point needed for an overall 8–5 German win.

The post France Fall Just Short in a Thriller Against Korea Republic first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The 34th Finlandia Open kicks off today at the Kisakallio Sports Institute in Lohja, bringing together a strong international field for one of Europe’s traditional year-ending table tennis events. The tournament, recognized by the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) and counting toward the ETTU ranking list, features Men’s and Women’s Singles as well as U21 categories.

Schedule Overview​

• Thursday: U21 group stage and knockout rounds up to the semifinals
• Friday, 5 December: Men’s & Women’s Singles draw; U21 finals at 20:00 local time
• Saturday, 6 December: Main-draw action continues in MS/WS
• Sunday, 7 December: MS/WS semifinals, finals, and placement matches (5–8)

Fans can follow the full programme, draws, and live scoring throughout the four days.

Draws & Live Results: https://finlandia-open.sportsoftware.ai/brackets/421
Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@suomenpoytatennisliitto/streams

The post Finlandia Open 2025 Begins Today in Lohja first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

France led the European charge on Day 5 at the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup 2025 in Chengdu, bouncing back in style with a convincing 8–3 victory over Croatia.

Making his first appearance of the event, Simon GAUZY teamed up with Prithika PAVADE to edge Ivor BAN and Hana ARAPOVIĆ 2–1 in a tense mixed doubles opener, sealing the decider 16–14. Charlotte LUTZ then impressed on her debut, overpowering Lea RAKOVAC 3–0 in the women’s singles, before Alexis LEBRUN recovered from a slow start and a sharp Tomislav PUCAR to take the men’s singles 2–1. LUTZ and PAVADE later closed the tie, holding their nerve in doubles to secure France’s 8–3 win and a strong response after the heartbreak against Korea Republic the night before.

Sweden were edged 8–6 by Hong Kong, China in one of the most dramatic ties of the day. Early success from Kristian KARLSSON and Christina KÄLLBERG in the mixed doubles and a late surge in the women’s doubles weren’t enough to overturn missed chances in singles and doubles, leaving Sweden with plenty to regret in Stage 2.

Germany, ran into a red-hot Japan, falling 8–3 despite a strong men’s singles display from Dang QIU, who again found a way past Tomokazu HARIMOTO. Japan’s sharp, disciplined team performance keeps them unbeaten and leaves Germany with work to do in the race for knockout positions.

At the top of the table, China underlined their status as favourites with a commanding 8–0 win over Korea Republic, ending the Koreans’ unbeaten run and reinforcing their dominance in Chengdu.

With France back on track and both Sweden and Germany still fighting to position themselves for the business end of Stage 2, European hopes remain very much alive as the road to LA28 continues to take shape in Sichuan.


See all the results on ITTF

The post France Shine on Day 5 as European Battle Heats Up in Chengdu first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The Chair of the ETTU Athletes’ Commission for the 2025–2029 term has been elected, with the members of the Commission placing their trust in Croatia’s Frane Tomislav KOJIC.

The Commission, which serves as the official voice of athletes within European table tennis, consists of five elected members: four representing able-bodied athletes and one representing the Para table tennis community.

The able-bodied athletes were elected earlier this year during the voting process held at the 2025 European Team Championships in Zadar, as well as through online voting for Associations participating in Stage 1 in Sarajevo.

The elected members are: Linda BERGSTRÖM (Sweden), Tin-Tin HO (England), Elizabeta SAMARA (Romania), Frane Tomislav KOJIC (Croatia). Together with Para representative Jack HUNTER-SPIVEY (England) they will serve throughout the 2025–2029 term.

Following the election, newly appointed Chair Frane Tomislav KOJIC addressed his fellow players:

“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your votes and the trust you have placed in me by electing me as the ETTU Players’ Representative. It is a great honor and a personal source of pride to be recognized by those I consider the most important people in our sport, the players themselves, and alongside them, our invaluable coaches without whom our progress would not be possible.

Your support means a great deal to me, as it comes directly from those to whom this sport truly belongs. With a strong sense of respect and responsibility, I will do my best to listen to your ideas, represent your interests, and work on improving conditions for all players, as table tennis is first and foremost about you, the athletes.

At the same time, I fully recognize the essential role of coaches. Even though my mandate is to represent players, I will also work to improve the situation and conditions for coaches, as our achievements are inseparable from their expertise, dedication, and guidance.

Thank you once again for your confidence and trust. I look forward to working with you all and to meeting the challenges that lie ahead. United as one table tennis family,” said Frane Tomislav KOJIC.

Acting as a direct link between players and the ETTU leadership, the Athletes’ Commission ensures that athletes’ voices, concerns, and perspectives are incorporated into key decisions shaping European table tennis. The Commission plays a vital role in strengthening athlete representation and providing guidance on matters related to competition, welfare, development pathways, and the long-term strategic direction of the sport.

The post Frane Tomislav KOJIC Elected Chair of the ETTU Athletes’ Commission first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

It was a mixed and demanding day for European teams at the World Team Championships, but Croatia delivered the standout performance, defeating Sweden 8–1 .

Croatia started strongly through Ivor BAN and Hana ARAPOVIĆ, whose composed and well-balanced mixed doubles display earned the opening point against Kristian KARLSSON and Christina KALLBERG.

Momentum continued with an exceptional win from Lea RAKOVAC, who overcame Linda BERGSTRÖM 3–0 by smartly adjusting her tempo and exploiting the chopper’s variations.

The decisive blow came from Tomislav PUCAR, who dominated Anton KALLBERG in straight games. Mixing his trademark backhand power with timely forehand attacks, PUCAR ensured Croatia completed a confident and controlled victory—one of their strongest performances of the tournament.

France fell 8–7 to Hong Kong, China, despite strong singles wins from Charlotte LUTZ and Simon GAUZY.

Germany lost to China 4-8, despite the Patrick FRANZISKA’s superb win over World No. 1 Wang Chuqin.

The post Croatia Claim Win Over Sweden, FRANZISKA beat World No. 1, as Europe Battles Through a Challenging Day first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

French President Emmanuel MACRON visited the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup in Chengdu, where he met both Team France and Team China during his state visit to China.

He was welcomed by ITTF President Petra SÖRLING and CTTA President Liqin, who introduced him to leading Chinese stars Wang Chuqin, Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu WANG, and Shidong LIN, as well as coaches Lin MA, Hao WANG and Zhan XIAO. MACRON also greeted the French squad, including Felix and Alexis LEBRUN, Prithika PAVADE, Simon GAUZY and Jia Nan YUAN.

President MACRON even stepped to the table himself, receiving a racket from ITTF President Petra SÖRLING and enjoying brief friendly rallies with players. Delegations exchanged commemorative gifts, including a special ITTF Centenary racket and national team jerseys.

The ITTF expressed its honour at being part of the French President’s official visit, noting table tennis’s long tradition of fostering friendship and international cooperation from historic ping-pong diplomacy to its modern global reach.

The ITTF Mixed Team World Cup 2025 runs in Chengdu from 30 November to 7 December, ahead of the discipline’s Olympic debut at LA28.

The post ITTF Welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron in Chengdu first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Lithuania’s Lukrecija JUCHNAITĖ and Slovakia’s Damian FLORO claimed the Under-21 singles titles at the 2025 Finlandia Open, staged at the Kisakallio Sports Institute in Lohja.

In the U21 Women’s Singles final, JUCHNAITĖ prevailed against Ukraine’s Daria KOVALOVA with a 3–1 victory (11–8, 10–12, 12–10, 11–6). The bronze medals were awarded to Sweden’s Alice NILSSON and Ukraine’s Alina OVIRIAKH.

In the U21 Men’s Singles final, Slovakia’s FLORO overcame Czech player Jakub MAKAR by the same 3–1 margin (11–8, 11–3, 10–12, 11–4). Slovakia’s Samuel PALUSEK and Sweden’s Noa DAHLSTRÖM secured the bronze medals.

The men’s and women’s senior singles champions will be crowned on Sunday. The ETTU-sanctioned event features around 180 players from nearly 30 national associations.

All results, live stream links and the photo gallery are available here: https://finlandia-open.sportsoftware.ai/

Text and photos: FTTA / Heikki Kiiskinen

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[Milica Nikolic]

Croatia produced another outstanding performance, overcoming 10th seeds Hong Kong, China to extend their remarkable campaign in the Stage 2 of the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup 2025 8-6.

Ivor BAN and Hana ARAPOVIĆ opened with a clutch Mixed Doubles win, before Lea RAKOVAC added an early singles point in the 1-2 defeat against Chengzhu ZHU.

With the score tight at 3–3, Tomislav PUCAR delivered the match of the tie, sweeping Siu Hang LAM 3–0 to give Croatia control.

Hong Kong, China fought back in Women’s Doubles, but Croatia held firm. BAN and Frane KOJIĆ sealed the victory in the final match, securing a historic 8–5 result.

Germany carried the momentum from their strong display against China into an impressive 8–7 victory over Korea Republic.

Patrick FRANZISKA and Annett KAUFMANN gave Germany an ideal start in Mixed Doubles, followed by a solid win from Sabine WINTER, who recovered after losing the opening game.

Korea replied through Woojin JANG, who beat Dang QIU 3–0 to tighten the score. But QIU struck back in Men’s Doubles alongside Benedikt DUDA, taking a tense decider.

With the tie poised at 6–6, WINTER and Nina MITTELHAM stepped up in the Women’s Doubles, overturning a narrow start to clinch the tie and secure Germany’s hard-fought victory.

France closed the morning session in style, defeating Sweden 8–3. Simon GAUZY and Prithika PAVADE overturned a slow start in Mixed Doubles, before Charlotte LUTZ continued her impressive form with a controlled win over Linda BERGSTRÖM.

Alexis LEBRUN added another point against Mattias FALCK, and the LEBRUN brothers later teamed up to dominate the Men’s Doubles, sealing an important win as Stage 2 approaches its conclusion.

ITTF

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[Milica Nikolic]

The Stage 2 phase concluded in Chengdu with China, Japan, Germany and Korea Republic securing their places in the semifinals. The final round delivered high drama across the tables, with Korea ending Croatia’s breakthrough run, China finishing unbeaten, and Germany edging a thriller to confirm their spot among the last four.

Germany clinched a Stage 3 berth with an 8–5 win over Hong Kong, China. Dang QIU and Annette KAUFMANN opened with a solid Mixed Doubles victory, followed by a composed win from WINTER over Doo Hoi Kem.

Hong Kong rallied through Chun Ting WONG, who stunned Benedikt DUDA in Men’s Singles, but Germany immediately restored control when QIU and DUDA defeated the World No. 1 pair in Men’s Doubles. WINTER and KAUFMANN closed out the match in Women’s Doubles to complete a confident German performance.

Croatia’s remarkable campaign came to a close despite another spirited display.

Ivor BAN and Hana ARAPOVIĆ squeezed out a point in Mixed Doubles, while Lea RAKOVAC and Tomislav PUCAR claimed strong singles wins to bring Croatia level at 5–5.

From there, Korea took full control: KIM anf CHOI swept the Women’s Doubles, before OH and PARK secured the decisive Men’s Doubles point, sealing Korea’s progression to the semifinals.

Already assured of qualification, China rotated their squad but still proved too strong.

World No. 1 pair Man KUAI and Shidong LIN opened with a straight-games win, while Yidi WANG recovered from a slow start to edge Linda BERGSTRÖM.

Sweden hit back through a dominant display from Anton KALLBERG, but China closed the match efficiently in the Women’s Doubles, with Man KUAI and Manyu WANG sealing their unbeaten Stage 2 campaign.

France produced the upset of the tournament, overturning a 1–5 deficit to defeat second seeds Japan 8–7.

Japan dominated early, with Mima ITO and Hiroto SHINOZUKA sweeping the Mixed Doubles and Satsuki ODO edging Prithika PAVADE, putting France in deep trouble.

Then came the turnaround. Felix LEBRUN launched the comeback with a spectacular 3–0 win over Tomokazu HARIMOTO, before joining brother Alexis to sweep the Men’s Doubles and push France ahead 7–5.

Japan forced a decider through Women’s Doubles, but Jia Nan YUAN and PAVADE held firm in the final game, completing a stunning French victory.

The post Germany Reached Semifinals of the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup Chengdu first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The third edition of the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup concluded in Chengdu today, with China claiming the GUOLIANG-SÖRLING Trophy in a tournament that showed the growing depth and diversity of table tennis ahead of the format’s Olympic debut at LA28. Germany claimed the bronze medal with an 8-7 victory over Korea Republic

China defeated Japan 8-1 in the final to secure their third consecutive Mixed Team World Cup title, demonstrating their dominance in the format that will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

The semifinals saw China overcome Korea Republic 8-3 in the morning session, whilst Japan defeated Germany 8-3 to set up the final.

Germany claimed the bronze medal with an 8-7 victory over Korea Republic in a thrilling encounter, capping off an impressive tournament that saw them reach the podium. Germany have now become the first-ever European team to reach the podium at a ITTF Mixed Team World Cup.

Germany entered the match with confidence, having already defeated Korea Republic by the same scoreline in Stage 2. This time, however, they made a crucial tactical adjustment: Qiu DANG was assigned to both the Mixed Doubles and Men’s Doubles, while Patrick FRANZISKA took over the Men’s Singles, a strategic choice given Dang’s previous 0-3 loss to Woojin JANG.

Qiu DANG and Annett KAUFMANN surged ahead with two dominant games against Nayeong KIM and Ganghyeon PARK. Attention then shifted to the Women’s Singles, a repeat matchup from Stage 2: Sabine WINTER vs. Eunhye LEE. WINTER’S clever use of anti-spin controlled the opening game 11-5, repeatedly forcing LEE into hesitation over the spin content. Though Lee struggled early in the second, she suddenly found her timing and reversed the momentum to win 11-9. The decider was tense: LEE led 10-9 but missed a sitter; WINTER responded with two unforced errors, handing Lee a dramatic 12-10 victory and a 2-1 match win.

Germany slipped further behind in the Men’s Singles, where FRANZISKA endured a poor start against Woojin JANG, losing 5-11. He stabilised to take the second 11-7, but Jang tightened his countering play to claim the decider 11-7 and extend Korea Republic’s advantage.

The tide shifted again in the Men’s Doubles, with DANG and Benedikt DUDA stepping up under pressure. After dropping the first game, they crushed the second 11-3 against Junsung Oh and PARK. The final game became a nerve-shredding duel, PARK producing late fireworks once more, but Dang and Duda edged it 11-9 with two spectacular rallies to seal the 2-1 win and pull Germany level.

With the match locked at 6-6, everything hinged on the Women’s Doubles: Sabine WINTER and Nina MITTELHAM vs. Eunhye LEE and Hyojoo CHOI. Germany snatched the opening game, Korea responded instantly, and the tie stood at 7-7 overall heading into the final showdown.

The last game became a showcase of German precision. Capitalising on an early error from Lee, WINTER and MITTELHAM shifted into a flawless rhythm, racing to an 11-1 victory.

The post Germany’s Secures First Ever European Podium at the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Finland’s top player Benedek OLÁH claimed the men’s singles crown at the traditional Finlandia Open, held at the Kisakallio Sports Institute in Lohja. In the final, OLÁH defeated Denmark’s Dominykas SAMUOLIS in straight games, 3–0 (11–9, 11–5, 11–3).

“Preparation was a bit tricky, as I had a fever earlier in the week and was still recovering from jet lag after returning from the United States. By Friday the fever had settled, but at times it felt like I couldn’t see the ball properly or hear anything,” OLÁH reflected after the victory.

Earlier on Sunday, OLÁH swept aside Sweden’s Obada TABBAKH in another 3–0 win (11–3, 11–7, 11–2). His tightest challenge came in Saturday’s quarter-final, where Sweden’s Noa DAHLSTRÖM pushed him to a deciding fifth game before Oláh narrowly prevailed.

“On Saturday I still felt a bit foggy, but on Sunday the game really clicked. I’m very pleased with that.”

A Rio 2016 Olympian, OLÁH currently competes professionally across four leagues in the United States, Poland, Spain and Saudi Arabia. After missing out on Tokyo and Paris, he remains determined to return to the Olympic stage.

“I’ll try to earn a bit of money over the next couple of years and then make a real push for Los Angeles.”

The Finlandia Open win marks the third title of his career, and his second in Kisakallio after triumphing there in 2022.

In the bronze-medal match, Finland’s Alex NAUMI defeated Norway’s Khai LAM 3–0 (11–6, 11–5, 11–3). Naumi narrowly missed out on the final, having held two match balls in his semifinal against SAMUOLIS before losing in a tight fifth game.

Text and photos: FTTA / Heikki KIISKINEN

In the women’s final, Luxembourg’s Vivian SCHOLTZ overcame Denmark’s Maja HANSEN 3–0 (11–6, 11–2, 11–9). Belgium’s Julie VAN HAUWAERT secured the bronze medal.

This year’s Finlandia Open featured 169 players from 27 countries, with a remarkable 777 matches contested.

Results and photo gallery.

The post OLÁH Cruises to Finlandia Open Title With Los Angeles 2028 Already on His Mind first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Only 16 men, 16 women, and 8 mixed doubles pairs have been invited to the prestigious WTT Finals Hong Kong 2025, taking place from 10–14 December.

The Men’s Singles draw opens with several high-profile European clashes. France’s Alexis LEBRUN will face Germany’s Dang QIU, while an all-Scandinavian duel features No. 4 seed Swede Truls MOREGÅRD against Denmark’s Anders LIND.

Another highlight sees Félix LEBRUN renew his rivalry with Brazil’s Hugo CALDERANO, just five months after their dramatic Ljubljana final.

Germany’s Benedikt DUDA meets former WTT Champions winner LIN Yun-Ju, and France’s Simon GAUZY will take on Japan’s Tomokazu HARIMOTO.

The opening round also includes a headline showdown between three-time WTT Finals champion Wang Chuqin and rising star Sora MATSUSHIMA, fresh from his WTT Frankfurt triumph.

In Mixed Doubles, Spain’s María XIAO and Álvaro ROBLES arrive as the world No. 7 pair, following a standout season highlighted by a semifinal run at the Singapore Smash 2025 and their title at WTT Contender Muscat 2025.

Only eight pairs worldwide qualified for the Finals, placing the Spanish duo among the sport’s elite.

Xiao and Robles have been drawn into a highly competitive Group 2, where they will face:

• LIM Jonghoon / SHIN Yubin (KOR)
• Sora MATSUSHIMA / Miwa HARIMOTO (JPN)
• Hugo CALDERANO / Bruna TAKAHASHI (BRA)

Each pair will play three matches from 10–12 December, with the top two advancing to the semifinals on 13 December and the final scheduled for 14 December.

The post Draw for the WTT Finals Hong Kong 2025 first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

LINZ AG Froschberg and SPG LINZ are looking for an experienced Head Coach to lead their professional table tennis programme. The clubs operate a high-performance tournament system focused on top-level national and international competition, with the clear goal of developing players to world-class level and promoting table tennis through modern, attractive formats.

The Head Coach will be responsible for managing and further developing training operations at the highest national level, planning and delivering individual and team sessions, creating training and tournament schedules, and supporting the development of young talents. Coaching at national and international events and close cooperation with the sports management and tournament organisation are also key parts of the role, as well as building and leading a professional team of coaches and support staff.

Candidates should hold a top-level coaching licence (e.g. A-licence or equivalent) and bring several years of experience as a professional or national coach, with proven success in player development and competition coaching. Leadership, organisational strength, strong communication skills, resilience, and a passion for table tennis are essential. Very good English is required; additional languages are an advantage.

Applications (CV, cover letter, references) should be sent to: robert.renner@mail.com

The post LINZ AG Froschberg and SPG LINZ Seeking Head Coach first appeared on European table tennis union.

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