ETTU - European Table Tennis Union - News

[Milica Nikolic]

The draw for the Round of 16 of the ETTU Champions League was held today in Luxembourg. The top eight clubs, who were exempt from the Group Stage, joined the winners and runners-up of the four groups played last month in Novi Sad.

Top-seeded Germany’s 1. FC Saarbrücken TT will begin their campaign for a fourth consecutive title with matches against Polish side Dojlidy Białystok, seeded 20th.

At the bottom of the draw, last year’s runners-up and No. 2 seed Borussia Düsseldorf will meet Spanish No. 17 seed Real Club Cajasur Priego TM. Meanwhile, last season’s HYLO Champions League Final Four semi-finalists, No. 3 seed KS Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki, will face No. 12 seeds SF SKK El Nino Praha. No. 4 seed KS Dekorglass Działdowo will take on Czech No. 14 seeds SKST Havířov.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The ETTU Champions League Women has reached Stage 2, following the opening phase tournament in Novi Sad. Today, the draw for Stage 2 was held in Luxembourg.

In Serbia, four clubs, the winners and runners-up from two groups, advanced to Stage 2, where they now join the top eight seeds in four new groups of three teams each. Those who did not qualify will continue their journey in Stage 2 of the Europe Cup.

Group A: No. 1 seeds KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg (Poland) will face No. 5 seeds Saint-Quentin TT (France) and Spain’s MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Daurada.

Group B: Last season’s finalists, No. 2 seeds Metz TT (France), will play against Italy’s ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari and Poland’s PGE Fibrain KU AZS Politechnika Rzeszów.

Group C: 2025 champions ttc berlin eastside (Germany) are drawn with Linz AG Froschberg (Austria) and Saint-Denis TT 93 (France).

Group D: Etival ASRT (France) will meet UCAM Cartagena TM (Spain) and TTC Novi Sad (Serbia).

The 2025/26 season of the ETTU Champions League Women marks a significant step forward in the evolution of European club competitions. For the first time, the competition will adopt the Final Four format, following its successful introduction in the men’s Champions League two years ago.

The post ETTU Champions League Women: Draw Sets Stage 2 Groups first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The Belgium Open 2025, an official ETTU event, will take place from Monday, 10th November to Thursday, 13th November 2025 at the Hall Sportif du Paire in Pepinster (Verviers). The tournament will feature both U21 and senior singles competitions, with all results counting toward the European Ranking

A progressive knock-out system will be used to determine the final standings, guaranteeing approximately six singles matches per player. All matches will be played in a best-of-five games format

Key Dates and Deadlines:

• Final entries: 6th October 2025
• Free cancellations until: 15th October 2025

A total of 5,000 euros in prize money will be awarded:

• Men’s and Women’s Singles: positions 1–8
• U21 Singles: positions 1–4

Prospectus Belgium open (2)Download

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[Milica Nikolic]

Batumi is hosting the WTT Youth Contender 2025, and on this occasion ETTU President Pedro MOURA held a working meeting with Petra SÖRLING, President of the International Table Tennis Federation, and Shalva GOGOLADZE, Georgia’s Minister of Sport.

The discussions, were focused on the ongoing tournament, future opportunities for cooperation, and the development of table tennis in Georgia.

Also present at the meeting were Guram GOGOLADZE, President of the Georgian Table Tennis Federation, and Tariel KHECHIKASHVILI, President of the International Foundation of Sport, Tourism and Youth.

This year’s WTT Youth Contender marks the fourth time Georgia has hosted the event, and it is the biggest edition so far, bringing together 163 athletes from 20 countries.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The European Under 13 Championships will be held in Kosta, Sweden (24–28 September), bringing together teams from more than 30 countries.

In the Mixed Teams Event 28 teams are divided in 7 Groups. The draw for the Stage 1 was held today in Sweden.

This will be the third edition of the Under 13 European Championships. The last crowns were awarded in Bucharest, May 2024, where Germany won the competition over Spain.

The post The draw for the Mixed Teams Event at the European Under 13 Championships first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Germany’s line-ups for the Team European Championships in Zadar (12–19 October) have been confirmed. For the first time, Sabine WINTER and Benedikt DUDA will lead the five-player women’s and men’s squads at the 44th edition of the continental event in Croatia. The German women will compete as defending champions, while the men’s side returns as silver medalists from the last Team Europeans two years ago in Malmö, where they finished behind hosts Sweden.

In Zadar, the women’s team will feature world no. 27 Sabine WINTER, who has recently moved up the ITTF rankings and will act as Germany’s number one for the first time. She is joined by Olympic team fourth-place finisher Yuan WAN, U19 World Champion Annett KAUFMANN, European bronze medalist Nina MITTELHAM returning after a long back injury, and Mia GRIESEL, U19 World bronze medalist who debuted at the 2024 European Championships in Linz.

On the men’s side, Benedikt DUDA now world no. 8 and runner-up at the last Europeans, leads the German squad as top player for the first time. He is joined by former European champion Dang QIU, world no. 17 Patrick FRANZISKA, Ricardo WALTHER and Andre BERTELSMEIER, who made his debut last year.

The nominations, made jointly by national coaches Jörg ROSSKOPF (men) and Tamara BOROS (women) together with DTTB sports director Richard PRAUSE, provide rest periods for two key veterans: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, double Olympic bronze medalist, and Ying HAN, winner of the Europe Top 16.

PRAUSE underlined that the field is tougher than ever:

“Sweden, led by Truls MÖREGÅRDH, have recently won both the European Championships and Olympic team gold. France, driven by the LEBRUN brothers, earned bronze at both the World Championships and Olympics. Denmark, with Anders LIND and Jonathan GROTH, is also strong. Croatia as host and Romania will also aim for medals. Among the women, I expect a duel with Romania, our long-standing rivals, but also France and Sweden cannot be underestimated. The competition is very strong.”

The road to the trophy requires six victories for the eventual winner. After two group-stage matches, the top two of each of the eight groups will advance to the round of 16, where the knockout stage begins.

Germany’s women, drawn in Group B against Serbia and Slovenia, are clear favorites. Coach Tamara BOROS: “We will do everything to defend our title in Zadar. For Nina, especially after her long break, it’s vital to gain match practice. Of course, we also already have London 2026 in sight.”

The men’s team face Serbia and Ukraine in Group C. Coach Jörg ROSSKOPF anticipates a thrilling event: “We have a team capable of beating anyone. But France and Sweden have become extremely strong, recently more successful than us. We are one of several favorites. It might be the most exciting European Championships in many years.”

The post Sabine WINTER and Benedikt DUDA Lead German Teams in Zadar first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The European Under 13 Championships start tomorrow in Kosta, Sweden (24–28 September), bringing together teams from more than 30 countries.

After successfully hosting the 2023 STUPA European Team Championships and the 2024 European Youth Championships, the Swedish Table Tennis Association continues its strong tradition of staging major ETTU competitions.

“We are delighted to be back in Sweden for another ETTU event, this time the U13 European Championships. The Swedish TTA has proved to be a very reliable organiser, and I am sure this event will also build on the excellent momentum table tennis is enjoying in the country,” stated ETTU President Pedro MOURA.

Swedish Table Tennis Association Secretary General Thomas BUZA also expressed his enthusiasm on behalf of the Organising Committee:

“We are absolutely delighted to host this fantastic event on home soil, where we get to experience the stars of the future up close. It aligns perfectly with our long-term ambition to continuously bring table tennis events of all categories to Sweden. For us, it is important that our young players have the chance to shine in front of their families, friends, and passionate fans. Right now, table tennis is enjoying great momentum in Sweden, which makes the timing of this event even more special. We are also excited to welcome guests to Kosta and the wonderful CRAFT Arena. Together with the dedicated local organisers, we will do everything we can to make sure everyone leaves with lasting memories.”

This will be the third edition of the Under 13 European Championships. The last crowns were awarded in Bucharest, May 2024, where Turkey’s Görkem Ocal claimed the boys’ singles title ahead of Germany’s Lukas Wang, while Sweden’s Siri BENJEGÅRD triumphed in the girls’ event against France’s Eva Lam. Germany won the mixed team competition over Spain, while Ocal partnered Ela Su YÖNTER to capture mixed doubles gold for Turkey.

The post Stars of the Future: U13 European Championships Begin in Sweden first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The European Under 13 Championships commenced today in Kosta, Sweden (24–28 September), bringing together teams from more than 30 countries. The event features both mixed team and individual competitions.

The top seed in the Boys’ Singles is Ladimir MAYOROV, Europe’s current number one. MAYOROV secured bronze at last year’s edition and impressed with quarterfinal runs in both singles and mixed doubles at this summer’s European Youth Championships in Ostrava.

Second seed is Bulgaria’s Stefan BONCHEV, followed by Spain’s Alexander MALOV, ranked third in Europe. Other notable seeds include Filip NAGY (Slovakia), Simon ZSIGMOND (Hungary), and Joel ISAKSSON (Sweden), the latter ranked seventh in Europe and already experienced from last year’s edition and the 2025 Youth Series. Completing the top ten are Louis FEGERL (Austria), Pietro CAMPAGNA (Italy), Dimitar DIMITROV (England), and Mihai IORDAN (Romania).

At the top of the Girls’ Singles seedings is Hungary’s Zsófia FEGYVER, ranked second in Europe. She is followed by Slovakia’s Barbora Melisa GUASSARDO (No. 3 in Europe), Switzerland’s Enya HU, and Czechia’s Adela BRHELOVA, who reached the Round of 16 at the Under 15 European Youth Championships. Romania has two strong contenders in Kariss Yasmin SERBAN and Nadalia IONASCU, seeded fifth and sixth. Rounding out the top ten are Michelle WU (Switzerland), Ela Su YÖNTER (Turkey), and French representatives Albane ROCHUT and Lisa ZHAO.

In the Mixed Teams competition, Slovakia, Romania, and Spain headline the top seeds. Slovakia’s squad features Barbora Melisa GUASSARDO, Bianka BACSOVÁ, Vivien MURKOVÁ, Filip NAGY, Juraj DE MIGUEL, and Denis VECEREK. Romania is represented by Kariss Yasmin SERBAN, Nadalia IONASCU, Bianca Stefania TOMA, Mihai IORDAN, Albert Armand CZIGLER, and Matei NITA. Spain fields Aina CASANOVAS, Carmen GOMEZ, Celia VALPUESTA, Ladimir MAYOROV, Alexander MALOV, and Marcos GOMEZ. Hosts Sweden are seeded 14th, represented by Leah TULEFALT, Esther WARENFELDT, Saga BLANCK, Joel ISAKSSON, Zac HALLÉN, and Filip AROSELL.

Each national team is composed of two boys and two girls. Ties are contested over five rubbers, beginning with mixed doubles and followed by alternating singles matches. All matches are played in full, ensuring every player gains maximum exposure and competitive experience.

The group stage divides delegations into pools of three or four teams. The top two advance to the A final stage to battle for medals, while the others continue in the B final stage to determine classification.

At the 2024 edition in Bucharest, Turkey’s Gorkem OCAL captured the boys’ crown ahead of Germany’s Lukas WANG, while Sweden’s Siri BENJEGÅRD defeated France’s Eva LAM for the girls’ title. Germany triumphed in the mixed team event against Spain, and OCAL paired with Ela Su YÖNTER to secure mixed doubles gold for Turkey.

The post European Under 13 Championships Kick Off in Kosta first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The start of the European Under 13 Championships in Kosta brought joy to the hosts after a thrilling match against Luxembourg. Sweden recovered from a 0–2 deficit to win 3–2.

In the opening duel, Luxembourg’s pair Noah VALENTE and Kinda MOSTAFA overcame Zac HALLÉN and Esther WARENFELDT 3–1, before Nora CATTAZZO widened the gap with a straight-games win over Leah TULEFALT.

Joel ISAKSSON turned the tide of the match with a convincing 3–0 win against Mattis GOEDERT, but the biggest battle came in the clash between Esther WARENFELDT and Kinda MOSTAFA. After a 3–2 victory, Sweden leveled the score. Noah VALENTE then sealed the match for Luxembourg with a 3–1 win over Zac HALLÉN.

“We had a tough start and were down 0–2 in matches, but the players kept fighting for every point and eventually we managed to turn the match around. I’m very happy with the players’ performance,” said coach Gilles FORZY.

What’s important in close matches like these?

“For us, it is definitely about keeping positive energy and team spirit, where we push each other forward. Of course, it’s nerve-racking to play the first match in a European Championship, especially in front of a home crowd, but the players helped each other to become more relaxed as the match went on,” added coach Joel SVENSSON.

You showed great spirit on the bench during the match, is that something you discussed before the tournament?

“We are not surprised that the players show such strong team spirit as they always do, but we are of course proud that they step up for each other and support their teammates when they face difficult situations. In team events, that can make a big difference,” concluded Gilles FORZY.

In the opening round, Ukraine stretched Bulgaria to all five matches before Bulgaria finally prevailed. Romania beat England, Spain overcame Montenegro, Czechia defeated the Netherlands, and Croatia outplayed Estonia, all by 5–0.

The post Sweden’s Dramatic Comeback Marks Joyful Start to the European U13 Championships first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The second half of the year will bring a busy calendar of ETTU events and league matches. To prepare match officials for the new season and ensure consistency, the ETTU URC held two webinars in recent weeks. The strong participation numbers demonstrated the officials’ eagerness to further develop their knowledge.

The first webinar was dedicated mainly to referees and their responsibilities. Marcin Fidala, ETTU URC Deputy Chair responsible for Referees, discussed key topics such as the draw, medical time-outs, and misbehavior regulations. Various real-life scenarios from previous events were also analyzed. More than 30 European International Referees attended this session.

One week later, Asko RÄSINEN, ETTU URC Deputy Chair for Development, together with URC member Tom Purcell, hosted a webinar for European umpires. This event drew an impressive turnout of over 140 participants.

Sessions were led by ETTU URC members as well as Gold Badge Umpires including Mircea STEFF, Kerstin DUCHATZ, Mark BECKMANN, Elena SEMENOVA, and Matej HAMRAN. Topics covered included match management, handling misbehavior, and recent rule changes. Special attention was given to mental health, focusing on how umpires can manage conflict situations and cope with pressure during matches.

European match officials are now well-prepared for the new season.

The post ETTU URC Organized Two Webinars for Match Officials in the Past Month first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The opening-round clash of Stage Two at the European Under 13 Championships in Kosta saw No. 4 seeds Bulgaria prevail over No. 3 seeds Spain.

Top-seeded singles player Ladimir MAYOROV, partnering Aina CASANOVAS, gave Spain a strong start by defeating Lachezar HRISTOV and Kalina STEFANOVA. However, Polina ENCHEVA overcame Celia VALPUESTA to level the score.

The key duel between No. 3 seed Alexander MALOV and No. 2 seed Stefan BONCHEV went according to the rankings, pushing Bulgaria into the lead. STEFANOVA then defeated CASANOVAS to extend the advantage to 3–1, before MAYOROV succeeded against HRISTOV to secure Spain’s second point in the group standings.

“I’m very happy that both me and the rest of the team performed well. It is especially nice to win when you feel that it is a team effort,” said Stefan BONCHEV.

Asked if he enjoys mixed team competitions, BONCHEV added:

“I like the team event with the mixed doubles, and I enjoy how there is a lot of tactic involved regarding who plays in what position. It makes the matches more interesting.”

Elsewhere, Türkiye swept Croatia 5–0 in Group 1, while France denied Germany a single point in Group 2. In Group 3, alongside the Spain–Bulgaria battle, Italy narrowly edged Hungary in a full-distance duel. In Group 4, Sweden defeated Czechia 3–2, and Switzerland overcame Slovakia by the same margin.

A reminder: a special scoring system is in place to reward every effort. A 5–0 victory brings five points, while even a narrow 2–3 defeat still counts for two points. The system encourages teams to fight for every game: a 5–0 win equals 5 points, 4–1 gives 4, 3–2 brings 3, while losses of 2–3, 1–4 and 0–5 are worth two, one and zero respectively.

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