ETTU - European Table Tennis Union - News

[Milica Nikolic]

The first edition of the “Eurospins” project is underway on the Korean island of Jeju. From 11 to 22 December, ETTU’s forthcoming stars are taking part in the 2025 Joint Training Camp in Korea, featuring an intensive programme of daily practice sessions, semi-official friendly matches, and a cultural exchange programme. See the pictures here.

Following a selection process and based on the availability of Europe’s top youth players, the European delegation travelled to Korea with four girls and four boys, accompanied by six coaches. The delegation is led by ETTU Vice-President Jarek KOLODZIEJCZYK.

The players participating in the camp are European and World Under-15 Champion Koharu ITAGAKI (Germany), this year’s European silver medallist and former champion Hanka KODET (Czechia), Under-19 European Championships quarterfinalists from Ostrava Julia LEAL (Portugal) and Nina SKERBINZ (France), Ladimir MAYOROV (Spain), Robert ISTRATE (Romania), European Top 10 winner and European bronze medallist Francesco TREVISAN (Italy), and European Top 10 bronze medallist Mark GERGELY (Hungary).

The coaching staff consists of Jie SCHÖPP (Germany/ETTU), Anamaria SEBE (Romania/ETTU), Eduard MAYOROV (Spain), Jaroslav MIKESKA (Czechia), Toni RATO (Portugal), and Natalia GRIGELOVA (Slovakia).

“The main goal is to enable our leading youth players continuous practice at high intensity and quality, as most of the time they can meet Asian players only during official competitions,” explained ETTU Vice-President Jarek KOLODZIEJCZYK. “Our Korean hosts, under the tireless leadership of Mr LEE Jong-San, have prepared a fantastic environment for high-quality training with Asian partners. The Korean Table Tennis Association, the Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, as well as the Korean Sports Promotion Foundation have all been involved in the support and organisation.”

Together with their Korean partners, ETTU firmly believe the project is beneficial for both sides and hope to meet again in spring, this time in Europe.

“The camp is also a unique opportunity for all of us to meet and work with some of table tennis’ greatest figures, as the Korean coaching team is led by Mr Joo Se Hyuk, the legendary defender and multi-medallist at all major world events. We have also been visited by numerous distinguished guests, including the Seoul 1988 Olympic gold medallist Mr Yoo Nam Kyu and the Chairman of the Jeju Sports Council, Mr Shin Jeen Seong,” added Vice-President KOLODZIEJCZYK. “On behalf of ETTU, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Korean Table Tennis Association for the fantastic cooperation, and on a personal level I am very much looking forward to the continuation of the ‘Eurospins’ project in the future.”

The post ETTU Launches “Eurospins” Project with Joint Training Camp in Korea first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Italian side ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari strengthened their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals of the ETTU Champions League Women after a crucial home victory over Poland’s PGE Fibrain Ku AZS Politechnika Rzeszów.

French club Metz TT remains at the top of the group with two wins over both adversaries, while the Italian team recorded their first victory of the campaign.

Poland’s Zuzanna WIELGOS gave the visitors a perfect start with a straight-games win over Elizabet ABRAAMIAN, but Tania PLAIAN then turned the match in Cagliari’s favour. The Romanian player defeated Fen LI before Hengyu MA and ABRAAMIAN followed suit to seal the victory.

“I’m very happy with this victory because it was extremely important for us. We still have a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals. I’m very happy for my teammates, for my coach, and for the whole club,” said PLAIAN.

“We didn’t start well because Elizabet was not in her best shape today, while Susanna played very good. As for my match, it was unbelievable. I felt like I could do everything. I played the best table tennis I have played in a long time. Since last year, I never played like this.

“About Ma Heng-Yu, our Chinese player, she was unbelievably good. She used very good tactics against Ilona, and her service and forehand were excellent. Elisabeth, in the last match, followed the tactics perfectly. She listened to the bench, and we supported her until the very last point.”

The victory over former European champion from Sweden was an important confidence boost for PLAIAN, who recently returned from injury.

“Regarding the injury, I am still not 100 percent recovered. I’m still in the recovery process, but I try to give my best. Now, during the Christmas break, I want to reset my mind and rest a little, because I played many matches in this period,” she added.

Group leaders Metz TT will host PGE Fibrain Ku AZS Politechnika Rzeszów on Saturday. In January, ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari will face Metz TT on 14 January, before meeting PGE Fibrain Ku AZS Politechnika Rzeszów in Poland on 18 January.

SD Quattro Mori Cagliari (ITA) – PGE Fibrain Ku AZS Politechnika Rzeszów (POL) 3-1

• Elizabet ABRAAMIAN – Zuzanna WIELGOS 0-3 (7-11, 6-11, 9-11)
• Tania PLAIAN – Fen LI 3-0 (11–2, 11–2, 11–7)
• Hengyu MA – Ilona SZTWIERTNIA 3-1 (8–11, 11–3, 11–4, 11–8)
• Elizabet ABRAAMIAN – Fen LI 3:1 (4–11, 12–10, 11–5, 11–6)

The post Quattro Mori Cagliari Boost Quarter-Final Hopes with Home Win (VIDEO) first appeared on European table tennis union.

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