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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[Milica Nikolic]

Last season’s ETTU Champions League quarterfinalists, KS Dekorglass Działdowo, have once again secured their place among the last eight, reaching the quarterfinals for the third consecutive season.

In both legs of the ETTU Champions League Men tie, the Polish side overcame Czech SKST Havířov with straight-match victories. Tomislav PUCAR, Jakub DYJAS and Samuel KULCZYCKI featured in both encounters.

“We won 3–0 and secured a place in the quarter-finals. What makes this victory even more special is that it came in front of our home crowd,” said Tomislav PUCAR. “I opened the match against BLINKA and I think I won the first two game very convincingly. After that, he started to play better and adjusted his tactics, which made the third set very tight. I had a match point that I didn’t convert, so the match went into the fourth game. It was very close again at 5–5, but I managed to pull away and win the match.”

PUCAR continued: “We took a 1–0 lead, and after that we needed just one more win to qualify for the quarter-finals. DYJAS played next against BRHEL and delivered a great performance, securing the second point, which was enough for us. The third match was also open and competitive, but Samuel played very well. In the end, we won 3–0. It was important for us to win in front of our home supporters, and Samuel did a very good job in the last match, bringing the tie to a successful conclusion.”

In the quarter-finals, KS Dekorglass Działdowo will meet the winner of the tie between France’s Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier and Austria’s SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt, with the French club having secured a four-match victory in the opening leg.

Meanwhile, SKST Havířov will continue their European campaign in the ETTU Europe Cup Round of 16.

Round of 16

KS Dekorglass Działdowo (POL) – SKST Havirov (CZE) 3–0

• Tomislav PUCAR– Michal BLINKA 3–1 (11–3, 11–4, 11–13, 11–5)
• Jakub DYJAS –Stepan BRHEL 3–1 (11–8, 11–7, 10–12, 11–7)
• Samuel KULCZYCKI –Jan SKALDA 3–0 (11–6, 11–5, 15–13)

Opening leg

SKST Havířov – KS Dekorglass Działdowo 0–3

• Gustavo GÓMEZ – Jakub DYJAS 0–3 (7–11, 11–13, 5–11)
• Štěpán BRHEL – Tomislav PUCAR 1–3 (11–8, 6–11, 8–11, 8–11)
• Michal BLINKA – Samuel KULCZYCKI 1–3 (11–7, 9–11, 8–11, 10–12)

The post Dekorglass Działdowo Reach Champions League Quarterfinals for Third Straight Season (VIDEO) first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

French club CP Lyssois Lille Métropole is preparing for a major week of European table tennis as it hosts Stage 2 of the ETTU Europe Cup for both Men and Women. Ten women’s teams, six advancing from Stage 1 and four arriving from the Champions League will gather in Lille, where only four will earn their place in the quarterfinals.

Group A: Hodonín and Budaörsi Headline the Field

Group A is topped by SKST Plus Hodonín (Czechia) and Budaörsi Sport Club (Hungary), both stepping down from the Champions League after finishing third and fourth in their Stage 1 groups. Their presence immediately raises the level of competition, especially as Hodonín enters the event as last season’s Europe Cup runner-up.

They are joined by three clubs carrying strong momentum from Stage 1 in Linares.

ASD Tennistavolo Sassari arrives undefeated, after Tatiana GARNOVA, Irina CIOBANU, and Teodora SIMON produced a flawless performance to top Group A without dropping a match.

Son Cladera TTC – Mallorca also comes in unbeaten, having dominated Group C with key victories over KS Wamet Dąbcze and TTC Meerdaal Leuven.

Completing the group is the host team, CP Lyssois Lille Métropole, who secured their progression as runners-up behind Częstochowa. Led by Shuohan MEN, Lucie MOBAREK, and Margo DEGRAEF, Lille will now look to capitalise on home advantage as they compete against two Champions League squads and two in-form opponents from Stage 1.

With Hodonín and Budaörsi holding the higher European pedigree, and Sassari and Mallorca entering in excellent form, Group A promises tight matches and little margin for error.

Group B: Champions League Experience Meets Stage 1 Powerhouses

Group B brings a compelling mix of Champions League-tested clubs and Stage 1 standouts.

Portuguese side CTM Mirandela and Croatian contenders STK Dr. CASL both step into Stage 2 after competing at Europe’s highest club level earlier this season. Mirandela will be particularly motivated, having reached the quarterfinals last year before being stopped by champions Saint-Denis TT 93.

Waiting for them are three teams that shined in Linares. Bebetto AZS UJD Częstochowa emerged as one of the most impressive sides of Stage 1, staying undefeated behind the stability of Emiko TAGUCHI, defensive specialist Tetyana BILENKO, and Paulina KRZYSIEK. TalTech Sport Club finished second in Group A, showing resilience.

Fenerbahçe Sports Club pushed Mallorca to the full distance in their Group C showdown and claimed the runners-up position, further demonstrating their strength.

Group B offers a different dynamic from Group A: Mirandela and Dr. CASL bring the experience, while Częstochowa, TalTech, and Fenerbahçe bring momentum and confidence from their recent success.

The stakes in Lille are clear: only the top two teams from each group will reach the quarterfinals, where they will be met by the clubs finishing third in their respective Groups in Champions League Stage 2.

Last year’s Europe Cup champions is Saint-Denis TT 93.

The post ETTU Europe Cup Stage 2 Heads to Lille: Ten Teams Chase Quarterfinal Spots first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The ETTU Europe Cup Men returns to action this weekend in Lille Métropole, where sixteen ambitious clubs will fight for the eight available places in the Round of 16. The stakes are high: the group winners and runners-up will move forward to the knockout phase, where they will meet the teams dropping down from the ETTU Champions League Round of 16.

Group A: Toruń Look to Build on Stage 1 Dominance

Energa Manekin Toruń (POL) arrive as one of the most convincing teams from the previous stage. Led by Dimitrije LEVAJAC, Asuka SAKAI, and Konrad KULPA, the Polish side swept every match in Stage 1 without dropping a single individual encounter, emerging as perhaps the most dominant squad of the opening phase.

Joining them are the Stage 1 runners-up Alicante TM (ESP), who battled past KTS Gliwice and pushed Marcozzi hard in a dramatic five-match duel. Alicante’s squad Alberto LILLO, Diego LILLO, and Jose GUILLOT, will aim to carry that resilience into Lille.

From the Champions League come two dangerous opponents: SPG Felbemayr Wels (AUT) and Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 (DEN).

Both clubs bring significant international experience and the pedigree of competing against Europe’s strongest teams in the opening phase of the Champions League.

Group B: Stockerau and Odorheiu Secuiesc Face Champions League Pressure

UTTC Paneceo Stockerau (AUT) topped their Stage 1 group thanks to consistent performances from Mykhailo LOVHA, Khalid ASSAR, and Tarek AL-SAMHOURY. Their decisive victory over KS Olesno in a dramatic five-match encounter secured their place in Stage 2.

CSS-SZAK Odorheiu Secuiesc (ROU) also impressed in Romania, finishing second in Group B after pushing Enoli Borges Vall to a full-distance thriller. The home team showed quality through Sebastian LOSO, Szilard GYÖRGY, and Szabolcs TAMAS.

They now face two Champions League representatives: ASD TT Santa Tecla Nulvi (ITA) and Lille Metropole TT (FRA), the tournament hosts.

Group C: A Balanced Group with Champions League Heavyweights

Group C offers perhaps the most balanced mix of styles and strengths. Spain’s Enoli Borges Vall, winners of Group B in Stage 1, arrive after a gritty performance in Romania. Led by Francesc CARRERA, Marc DURAN, and José Luis ANDRADE, the Spanish team showed impressive composure under pressure.

They are joined by KS Olesno (POL), who advanced from a difficult Stage 1 group after consistent efforts from Alan KULCZYCKI, Daniel LIS, and Radek MRKVIČKA.

However, Group C becomes even more formidable with the arrival of STK Vyhne (SVK) and TTC Ostrava 2016 (CZE) from the Champions League. Ostrava bring particular weight to the field, they reached the Round of 16 of the Champions League last season, demonstrating they are capable of competing with Europe’s elite.

Group D: Marcozzi and Linz Meet Pontoise and Starr in a Group Full of Contenders

ASD Marcozzi Cagliari (ITA) impressed in Romania by winning Group A behind the strong trio of Federico VALLINO, Rares SIPOS, and Massimo FERRERO.

SPG Linz (AUT) also advanced convincingly, finishing second in Group C with solid performances throughout the weekend.

Their opponents come from the Champions League: AS Pontoise Cergy TT (FRA), historically one of Europe’s most respected clubs and a Champions League Round of 16 team last season and STK Starr (CRO), who add firepower and unpredictability.

The post Lille Hosts High-Stakes Stage 2 as Europe’s Men’s Clubs Battle for Round of 16 Places first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Reigning champions and winners of the last three titles, 1. FC Saarbrücken TT secured their place in the quarterfinals of the ETTU Champions League Men. After a narrow victory in the opening leg, the German side struck in full force at home, overcoming Poland’s Dojlidy Białystok in the second leg.

Olympic and World Champion FAN Zhendong gave 1. FC Saarbrücken TT a perfect start, dominating the encounter from the opening point. The Chinese star controlled the rallies with power and precision, allowing Piotr CHODORSKI very few opportunities to enter the match.

“Today was my first time playing in the Champions League, so I was naturally quite excited and really looking forward to it. Now I’m simply happy that we’ve reached the next round together as a team, and I’m looking forward to some exciting quarterfinal matches,” said FAN.

Darko JORGIC further strengthened Saarbrücken’s lead with a solid and controlled performance against Patryk CHOJNOWSKI. The Slovenian dictated the tempo throughout the match to secure another clear 3–0 victory for the German side.

In the final match of the tie, Patrick FRANZISKA faced stronger resistance from Kakeru SONE, but remained composed in the decisive moments to close the contest in straight games.

“We are very happy to go through here at our home venue, where we have so many good memories,” said FRANZISKA. “The first match was very close and ended 3–2, so we were warned. However, today we showed our ambitions. We are very happy and delighted with this victory.”

In the quarterfinals, 1. FC Saarbrücken TT will meet the winner of the duel between ASC Grünwettersbach and GV Hennebont TT.

1. FC Saarbrücken TT (GER) – Dojlidy Białystok (POL) 3–0

• Zhendong FAN– Piotr CHODORSKI 3–0 (11–1, 11–5, 11–5)
• Darko JORGIC– Patryk CHOJNOWSKI 3–0 (11–3, 11–5, 11–4)
• Patrick FRANZISKA– Kakeru SONE 3–0 (11–9, 11–8, 11–7)

Dojlidy Białystok – 1. FC Saarbrücken TT 2–3

• Patryk CHOJNOWSKI – Darko JORGIC 3–2 (11–7, 5–11, 11–6, 5–11, 6–4)
• Piotr CHODORSKI – Patrick FRANZISKA 0–3 (7–11, 7–11, 8–11)
• Piotr MICHALSKI – Yuto MURAMATSU 0–3 (6–11, 5–11, 5–11)
• Patryk CHOJNOWSKI – Patrick FRANZISKA 3–2 (5–11, 4–11, 13–11, 11–9, 6–3)
• Piotr CHODORSKI – Darko JORGIC 1–3 (5–11, 11–9, 5–11, 7–11)

Mühlhausen Clinch Quarterfinals with Gritty Away Victory

Germany’s Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. progressed to the quarterfinals after a thrilling and closely contested encounter against Czechia’s HB Ostrov z.s. Despite a brave effort from Vladislav URSU, who recorded two impressive victories against Ovidiu IONESCU and Marcos FREITAS, the German side emerged victorious in the Round of 16.

URSU opened the tie with a hard-fought five-game victory over IONESCU. After a tight exchange in the opening games, the Moldovan international showed great composure in the deciding set, taking early control and securing an important opening point for HB Ostrov z.s.

Marcos FREITAS quickly brought Post SV Mühlhausen back level with a dominant performance against Pavel SIRUCEK. The Portuguese international dictated the rallies leaving his adversary with few chances to challenge.

Steffen MENGEL then gave the German side the lead after a composed straight-games victory over Jiri VRABLIK. Although the Czech player stayed close in the second game, MENGEL remained solid in the decisive moments to secure the win.

URSU once again delivered for the hosts, defeating FREITAS in straight games. Playing with confidence and authority, he dictated the pace throughout the match to level the tie at 2–2 and force a decisive encounter.

In the final match, Ovidiu IONESCU demonstrated his class and experience to clinch the tie for Post SV Mühlhausen. After dropping the third game, the Romanian regrouped quickly and closed the match in four games, sealing a 3–2 away victory for the German club.

In the quarterfinals, Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. will face Borussia Düsseldorf in the battle for a place at the Final Four.

HB Ostrov z.s. – Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. 2-3

• Vladislav URSU– Ovidiu IONESCU 3–2 (12–10, 5–11, 11–13, 11–8, 6–2)
• Pavel SIRUCEK– Marcos FREITAS 0–3 (3–11, 7–11, 7–11)
• Jiri VRABLIK– Steffen MENGEL 0–3 (7–11, 9–11, 6–11)
• Vladislav URSU– Marcos FREITAS 3–0 (11–7, 11–8, 11–7)
• Martin KOBLIZEK– Ovidiu IONESCU 1–3 (7–11, 7–11, 11–9, 7–11)

Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. – HB Ostrov z.s. 3–1

• Marcos FREITAS – Pavel ŠIRUČEK 3–0 (11–7, 11–9, 11–5)
• Steffen MENGEL – Vladislav URSU 3–1 (11–7, 11–8, 6–11, 11–5)
• Ovidiu IONESCU – Jiří VRÁBLÍK 1–3 (10–12, 11–7, 7–11, 8–11)
• Marcos FREITAS – Vladislav URSU 3–0 (14–12, 11–8, 13–11)

The post German clubs in the Quarterfinals: Saarbrücken Cruise, Mühlhausen Edge Thriller first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

ETTU Champions League Women top seeds KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg recorded their third victory in Group A, once again justifying their status with a dominant 3–0 win over MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Durada. As was the case in November in Spain, the Polish champions proved too strong, handing the Spanish side a straight-matches defeat.

Tarnobrzeg sealed the tie through three convincing singles performances. HE Zhuojia set the tone with a composed and controlled display against Natalya PROSVIRNINA, before Xiaoxin YANG and Ying HAN confirmed the hosts’ clear superiority, neither dropping a single game. With a clean sweep and authoritative performances across the board, the Polish club underlined their ambitions in the competition.

“We won this easily, because we have a very good team. I hope we will continue this way,” said Ying HAN after the match.

In January, KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg will travel to France to face Saint-Quentin TT, after already beating the French side 3–0 at home. The two teams will meet on the 13th, while three days later MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Durada will conclude their Group A campaign against the French club.

KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg (POL) – MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Durada (ESP) 3–0

• Zhuojia HE– Natalya PROSVIRNINA 3–0 (12–10, 11–2, 11–4)
• Xiaoxin YANG– Anastasia KOLISH 3–0 (11–5, 11–6, 11–5)
• Ying HAN– Elvira Fiona RAD 3–0 (11–2, 11–2, 11–5)

Etival seal home win against Novi Sad to stay on course

In Group D, Etival ASRTT claimed a 3–0 home victory over TTC Novi Sad, though the scoreline did not fully reflect the competitiveness of the matches. The French side was tested in all three singles encounters before eventually completing a clean sweep.

Liu YANGZI gave Etival an early advantage with a solid 3–1 win over Valeria SHCHERBATYKH, before Christina KALLBERG doubled the lead following another four-game battle against Valeria KOTCYUR. The closest contest came in the third singles, where SHAO Jieni needed five games to overcome Aneta MAKSUTI, sealing the tie after a tense decider.

Despite a brave effort, TTC Novi Sad remain without a victory after three matches in Stage 2. Etival ASRTT, meanwhile, have recorded two wins, both against the Serbian side and one defeat, suffered against UCAM Cartagena. The Spanish club is unbeaten with two victories so far.

In the final round, UCAM Cartagena will host Etival ASRTT on January 13, before travelling to Novi Sad on January 17.

Etival ASRTT (FRA) – TTC Novi Sad (SRB) 3–0

• LiuYANGZI – ValeriaSHCHERBATYKH 3–1 (11–7, 8–11, 11–4, 11–7)
• ChristinaKALLBERG – ValeriaKOTCYUR 3–1 (11–6, 6–11, 11–8, 11–7)
• JieniSHAO – AnetaMAKSUTI 3–2 (11–6, 11–13, 7–11, 11–4, 6–5)

The post Tarnobrzeg maintain perfect record, another win for Etival ASRTT first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Following a busy weekend in Lille, Stage 2 of the ETTU Europe Cup Women has concluded, with four teams advancing to the quarterfinals. In the knockout phase, the winners and runners-up from Groups A and B will face the clubs that finished third in their respective groups in Stage 2 of the ETTU Champions League Women. The draw weill be done on Tuesday.

In Group A, Son Cladera TTC – Mallorca finished first, securing top spot in the standings with only one defeat from four matches, their sole loss coming against hosts CP Lyssois Lille Métropole.

Group A winners Son Cladera TTC – Mallorca are seeded No. 7 and field a squad including Gaia MONFARDINI, Pei-Ling SU, Ayano UGI, Pauline CHASSELIN, Eugenia SASTRE, Katarzyna WEGRZYN, Francisca SASTRE, Natalia PARTYKA, Ainhoa CRISTOBAL, Clara IZQUIERDO ALONSO, Maria PEREZ MARIN and Debora VIVARELLI.

SKST Plus Hodonín with Karin GROFOVA, Tereza LOSTAKOVA, Binyue ZHANG, Ting Yao LIAO, Marketa SEVCIKOVA, Simona HOLUBOVA, Anna KLEMPEREROVA, Adela BRHELOVA and Monika PARIZKOVA claimed second place and the remaining quarterfinal spot. The Czech side also finished with one defeat, but crucially edged Lille in the head-to-head battle, which proved decisive.

Despite recording just one loss as well, CP Lyssois Lille Métropole narrowly missed out on qualification due to the tie-break criteria. ASD Tennistavolo Sassari and Budaörsi Sport Club completed the group in fourth and fifth positions respectively. Notably, the Hungarian side, Europe Cup winners in 2024, entered the competition after dropping down from Stage 1 of the ETTU Champions League Women.

In Group B, Fenerbahce Sports Club delivered a flawless performance, finishing the stage with four wins from four matches. The No. 14 seeds rely on a line-up featuring Elizabeta SAMARA, Defne KARAOGLU, Sibel ALTINKAYA, Gul Pembe OZKAYA, Selin AKYÜZ, Nil BASARAN and Ece HARAC. Finishing second were STK Dr. Časl Zagreb, who entered the competition from the ETTU Champions League Women. The Croatian side is represented by Xia Lian NI, Tamyolwan KHETKHUAN, Mirela DURAK, Joo CHEONHUI, Szandra PERGEL, Ganna HAPONOVA, Jiaqi LIU and Katerina TOMANOVSKA.

Bebetto AZS UJD Częstochowa, TalTech Sport Club and CTM Mirandela concluded the stage in third, fourth and fifth positions respectively, bringing the Group B campaign to a close.

The post Son Cladera, Hodonín, Fenerbahce and Zagreb Book Europe Cup Women Quarterfinal Places first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Despite entering the competition as the lowest-seeded team (No. 29), Energa Manekin Toruń secured a place in the Round of 16 of the ETTU Europe Cup, joining Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61, hosts Lille Metropole TT, UTTC Paneceo Stockerau, Enoli Borges Vall, STK Vyhne, AS Pontoise Cergy TT and ASD Marcozzi Cagliari among the clubs progressing from Stage 2.

The group winners and runners-up advanced to the knockout phase, where they will face teams dropping down from the ETTU Champions League Round of 16.

Group A: Energa Manekin Toruń Remain Perfect

In Group A, Energa Manekin Toruń preserved their unbeaten record, finishing top of the group with three wins from three matches. The Polish side, composed of Tomasz KOTOWSKI, Taimu ARINOMU, Konrad KULPA and Dimitrije LEVAJAC, confirmed first place with victories over Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61, SPG Felbemayr Wels and Alicante TM.

Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 secured second position with two wins, including a decisive final-round victory over SPG Felbemayr Wels. The Danish squad featured Jens LUNDQVIST, , Tobias RASMUSSEN and Anders ERIKSSON.

SPG Felbemayr Wels finished third with one win, while Alicante TM ended the group stage without a victory.

Group B: Lille Metropole TT Dominate on Home Soil

In Group B, hosts Lille Metropole TT delivered a flawless performance, winning all three of their matches to top the standings. The French club showed consistency with a roster including Tom CLOSSET, Romain BRARD, Amir Hossein HODAEI and Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA.

Second place was claimed by UTTC Paneceo Stockerau, who finished with two wins and one defeat. After an opening loss, the Austrian side responded strongly to secure progression, led by Tarek AL-SAMHOURY, David SERDAROGLU and Mykhailo LOVHA.

ASD TT Santa Tecla Nulvi concluded the group in third place, while CSS-SZAK Odorheiu Secuiesc finished fourth without registering a win.

Group C: Enoli Borges Vall Complete Perfect Campaign

In Group C, Enoli Borges Vall completed a perfect group stage with three victories from three matches. The Spanish side, composed of Marc DURAN, Joan MASIP, Francesc CARRERA, confirmed first place with wins over TTC Ostrava 2016, STK Vyhne and KS Olesno.

STK Vyhne finished second with two wins and one defeat. The Slovak club featured Adam KLAJBER, Filip SZYMANSKI and Boguslaw KOSZYK, including a crucial final-round victory over TTC Ostrava 2016.

TTC Ostrava 2016 placed third, while KS Olesno ended the group stage in fourth position.

Group D: Pontoise and Marcozzi Advance

In Group D, AS Pontoise Cergy TT and ASD Marcozzi Cagliari advanced as the top two teams.

Top seeds AS Pontoise Cergy TT lived up to expectations, finishing first with a perfect record. Their squad, featuring Thomas LAROCHE, Flavio MOURIER, Alexandre CASSIN, Rafael CABRERA, showed consistency across all three rounds, including a decisive 3–1 win over Marcozzi and a closing victory against STK Starr Croatia.

ASD Marcozzi Cagliari claimed second place despite one defeat, bouncing back with wins over STK Starr Croatia and a dominant 3–0 victory against SPG Linz in the final round. The Italian side relied on Carlo ROSSI, Federico VALLINO and Jeet CHANDRA.

Behind them, SPG Linz finished third, while STK Starr Croatia concluded the group stage without a win.

The post Lowest-Seeded Team Defy Odds, Hosts Lille Metropole TT and Top Seeds Advance to Knockout Stage first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier produced a commanding home performance, sweeping aside SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt 3–0 without conceding a single game.

Félix LEBRUN set the tone in emphatic fashion, overpowering Patrick SKERBINZ in straight games to give the French side an ideal start. His brother Alexis LEBRUN then underlined the hosts’ superiority, delivering a composed 3–0 victory over Andrei ISTRATE, controlling the key moments throughout the match.

Manav THAKAR sealed the tie in style, maintaining the momentum and closing the encounter with another straight-games win against Peter HRIBAR, completing a flawless evening for Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier.

“It was a very good win today. It’s not always easy to close a match like this, but the players did extremely well,” said head coach Vincent AVRIL. “I am proud of the team — they stayed focused and serious from start to finish. Our main goal was to remain concentrated in all three matches, and the team delivered.”

With the job done, Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face Poland’s KS DekORGLASS Działdowo.

Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier (FRA) – SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt (AUT) 3 – 0

• Félix LEBRUN – Patrick SKERBINZ 3–0 (11–3, 11–5, 11–5)
• Alexis LEBRUN – Andrei ISTRATE 3–0 (13–11, 11–7, 11–4)
• Manav THAKAR – Peter HRIBAR 3–0 (11–4, 11–7, 11–8)

Opening leg

SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt – Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier 1–3

• Piotr CYRNEK – Alexis LEBRUN 1–3 (10–12, 11–7, 6–11, 11–13)
• Andrei ISTRATE – Félix LEBRUN 0–3 (6–11, 6–11, 7–11)
• Navid SHAMS – Antoine HACHARD 3–1 (11–6, 6–11, 11–6, 12–10)
• Piotr CYRNEK – Félix LEBRUN 0–3 (7–11, 6–11, 6–11)

GV Hennebont TT Cruise Past Grünwettersbach to Secure 3–0 Home Win

GV Hennebont TT produced a solid performance on home soil, sweeping aside ASC Grünwettersbach 3–0 to seal the tie without conceding a match.

Vladimir SIDORENKO set the tone in the opening singles, overcoming Tobias HIPPLER in four games. After dropping the first game, SIDORENKO raised his level at the crucial moments, including a tense fourth game, to hand the French side an early advantage.

Rubio WEN then doubled the lead with another four-game victory, this time against Hiroto SHINOZUKA. WEN dictated the pace with aggressive play and showed composure after losing the third game, closing out the match convincingly in the fourth.

Simon GAUZY confirmed the win in style, producing a confident straight-games success over Tiago APOLONIA. GAUZY stayed solid in the key points of the opening two games before dominating the third to complete a clean sweep for GV Hennebont TT.

“It was a good match and I’m happy with this kind of win. At home we are very strong, we haven’t lost here in 15 matches in a row. Wen Ruibo is in good shape, Simon as well, everything looks good,” said SIDORENKO.

In the quarter-finals, the French side will face top seeds and reigning champions 1. FC Saarbrücken TT.

GV Hennebont TT (FRA) – ASC Grünwettersbach (GER) 3–0

• Vladimir SIDORENKO – Tobias HIPPLER 3–1 (9–11, 11–8, 11–6, 15–13)
• Rubio WEN – Hiroto SHINOZUKA 3–1 (11–6, 11–7, 11–13, 11–9)
• Simon GAUZY – Tiago APOLONIA 3–0 (11–9, 13–11, 11–5)

Opening leg

ASC Grünwettersbach – GV Hennebont TT 1–3

• Hiroto SHINOZUKA – Simon GAUZY 3–1 (11–5, 13–15, 12–10, 11–9)
• Tiago APOLONIA – Vladimir SIDORENKO 1–3 (4–11, 13–15, 11–5, 8–11)
• Tobias HIPPLER – Lev KATSMAN 0–3 (5–11, 6–11, 8–11)
• Hiroto SHINOZUKA – Vladimir SIDORENKO 1–3 (7–11, 12–10, 8–11, 12–14)

The post Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier and GV Hennebont TT Secure Convincing Victories (VIDEO) first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

As we come to the end of 2025, I would like to reflect on a year that has laid strong foundations for the future of European table tennis, while also looking ahead with confidence to 2026 and beyond.

Throughout 2025, our focus has been on preparing meaningful progress — not only celebrating results but building structures that will strengthen our sport in the long term. After the previous successful changes in the Men Champions League, one of the most visible examples is the introduction of the ETTU Women’s Champions League Final 4, which will debut in the 2025/2026 season. This new format represents an important step forward for women’s club table tennis in Europe, offering greater visibility, stronger storytelling, and a dedicated stage for the very best clubs.

At the same time, we have worked on modernising our flagship competitions. Preparations for a new Women’s Champions League match format, to be introduced from the 2026–27 season, aim to make our events more dynamic, more attractive for fans and broadcasters, and better integrated into the international calendar.

Our commitment to development remains at the heart of ETTU’s mission. In 2025, the Europe Youth Series continued its impressive growth, confirming Europe’s depth of young talent. New initiatives, including a top-talent exchange programme (EuroSpins) for young players and the launch of a structured ETTU Coaching Education System, underline our belief that investment in people is the most sustainable investment we can make.

Governance and responsibility have also been key priorities. The adoption of new sustainability guidelines for ETTU competitions reflects our responsibility towards the future of our sport and our environment. Increased financial support for Member Associations further demonstrates our commitment to solidarity and shared growth.

Beyond sport, 2025 was an important year for the global table tennis family. The ITTF elections marked a significant moment of renewal for sport, and I am pleased that they resulted in the re-election of IOC member Petra SÖRLING and in a renewed ITTF Executive Board. ETTU values its close and productive cooperation with ITTF, particularly in areas such as calendar coordination, development program, and the long-term growth of our sport worldwide. Strong collaboration between continental and international federations is essential, and we remain fully committed to this partnership.

We also made significant progress in digital engagement, marketing, and media visibility, reaching wider audiences through social platforms, broadcast coverage, and innovative fan-focused initiatives. These efforts are crucial in ensuring that European table tennis continues to grow, attract new followers, and create value for our Member Associations and partners.

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, our direction is clear: to continue modernising our competitions, strengthening development pathways, supporting our members, embracing sustainability and innovation, and working in close cooperation with ITTF for the benefit of the entire table tennis community.

None of this would be possible without the dedication and trust of our Member Associations, athletes, coaches, officials, partners, volunteers, and, of course, my ETTU Executive Board colleagues and the ETTU staff. I sincerely thank you all for your commitment and support.

I look forward to continuing this journey together and to building an even stronger future for European table tennis.

Please accept my SEASON GREETINGS!

Pedro MOURA,

ETTU President

The post End-of-Year Message from the ETTU President first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Following a weekend filled with fierce battles across the European club scene, the draw for the ETTU Europe Cup was conducted today.

The draw took place in Luxembourg.

The post The draw for the ETTU Europe Cup first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The newly elected President of the Cyprus National Paralympic Committee (CNPC) is Andreas GEORGIOU, who also serves as President of the Cyprus Table Tennis Association (CyTTA). The Cyprus Table Tennis Association is a founding member of the CNPC and has played a leading role in the promotion and development of Paralympic sport and the Paralympic movement in Cyprus.

Throughout his mandate within CyTTA, GEORGIOU has been a strong supporter of Para table tennis, enabling Cypriot athletes to participate in international Paralympic competitions organised under the auspices of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

In addition to his extensive experience in sport and his achievements within table tennis, GEORGIOU has served in several international roles, including as a member of the ITTF Nominations Committee, a member of the ETTU Youth Committee, and as Europe’s representative on the Executive Board of the Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation. His long-standing involvement with the CNPC includes serving as a Board Member from 2014 to 2016, General Secretary from 2016 to 2020, and subsequently as General Secretary of the Cyprus Olympic Committee (COC) from 2020 to 2024.

The Cypriot table tennis community has welcomed the election with pride, recognising it as an important acknowledgment of the sport’s contribution to the development of Paralympic sport in the country.

Following his election, GEORGIOU expressed his gratitude to his colleagues for their trust and support, while also acknowledging those who supported other candidates. He called on the entire sporting community to support the new CNPC Executive Board in its mission to further strengthen Paralympism in Cyprus and to continue supporting CNPC athletes who proudly represent the country on the international stage.

GEORGIOU also extended his thanks to the ETTU and ITTF for their continued trust and support.

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[Milica Nikolic]

As part of ETTU’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and development, an analysis of gender-related data submitted by 41 of ETTU’s 58 registered Member Associations in 2025 provides insight into participation trends across European table tennis. The findings highlight encouraging progress in some areas, while also pointing to where further efforts can make a difference.

The Gender Equality Committee collected information relating to participation by gender across playing, officiating, coaching, governance and administrative roles. The aim was to better understand membership structures and identify opportunities to support greater gender balance across European Table Tennis.

Where we stand today​

Across the Member Associations that responded, women currently represent around 20% of registered players. When participation is analysed on a per-association basis giving equal weight to each Member Association the figure rises slightly to just over 21%.

This confirms that while female participation is present across Europe, it remains uneven and continues to be an important area for development.

It should be noted that all responding Member Associations allow members to self-identify their gender at registration, and none apply verification checks.

Positive signs at youth level​

One of the most encouraging findings appears in youth categories. Among U19 players, female participation reaches almost 28% on average per Member Association, suggesting that more girls are entering the sport than in previous generations.

This points to the positive impact of grassroots initiatives and youth programmes, even though further efforts are still needed to move closer to balanced participation.

Retaining women in the sport remains a challenge​

While youth participation shows promise, female representation decreases in older age categories. Among veteran players, women account for around 17% on average per association.

This highlights the importance of not only attracting girls to table tennis, but also creating environments and pathways that support long-term engagement and continued participation throughout adulthood.

Beyond playing: pathways into roles and leadership​

Female representation is lower in roles such as coaching, officiating and governance. Based on the data provided, women represent approximately 24% of coaches on average per association and account for around 23% of board members

Some associations report higher percentages of female coaches, including Estonia, Latvia and Guernsey. Others, such as Italy and the Netherlands, stand out in absolute numbers of female coaches despite having overall female player participation close to the European average. This suggests that increased female coaching representation is not solely driven by a larger female playing base and may reflect different development or recruitment approaches.

At governance level, the average association board in Europe consists of around 10 members, with approximately three women, although significant variation exists between Member Associations.

Female representation is notably higher in administrative and professional roles within Member Associations. On average, women account for around 44% of association staff, suggesting that organisational environments within European table tennis are closer to gender balance than playing, coaching and officiating pathways.

Officiating: challenges and opportunities​

Across the responding associations, nearly 2,200 national umpires are registered, with an average of around 70 per association. Of these, 345 are women, representing a relatively low proportion. Given that officiating is accessible across genders and abilities, this area presents a clear opportunity to further increase female participation.

At international level, 496 international umpires are registered, with 87 identifying as female. Latvia and Azerbaijan report higher-than-expected numbers relative to their size, although overall figures remain low.

Policy context and awareness​

At the time of data collection, no ETTU Member Association reported having a formal Transgender and Non-Binary Policy in place. However, all associations expressed interest in the work currently being developed by Table Tennis England, which is undergoing consultation and review.

Member Associations were also asked whether completing the survey changed their initial assessment of gender equality within their organisation. Only a small number indicated a change, suggesting that awareness alone does not automatically translate into reassessment.

Looking back: what has changed since 2020?​

While the data collected in 2025 differs in scope from that gathered in 2020, a comparison of common indicators ,including players, coaches, employees, board members and umpires, offers useful context. Across these comparable categories, female representation has remained broadly stable over the past five years, with no major structural shift at the European level.

Different realities across Europe​

The data highlights significant differences between Member Associations. Some report relatively balanced participation and strong female representation across roles, while others face greater challenges due to size, history or structural factors. Looking beyond total numbers helps identify positive examples and opportunities for shared learning across Europe.

Moving forward together​

Overall, the 2025 data provides a valuable snapshot of gender participation in European table tennis today. It confirms that progress is being made in certain areas, while also reinforcing the need for continued focus on retention, visibility and leadership pathways for women and girls in the sport.

By continuing to share data, experiences and best practices, ETTU and its Member Associations can work together to build a more inclusive and sustainable future for table tennis across Europe.

Sally HUGHES & Galia DVORAK

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[Milica Nikolic]

At 58 years of age, Johanna Grech continues to live table tennis with the same intensity that first drew her to the sport decades ago. Today, she serves as Deputy President of the ETTU Gender Equality Committee, where her work focuses on advocacy, inclusion and creating fair opportunities for women across European table tennis.

Coming from Malta, one of Europe’s smallest table tennis nations, Grech believes that limitations are often more internal than external.

“The greatest obstacle is often ourselves,” she says. “Participating in different roles – as a player, an official or a coach, comes down to mindset and determination.”

That mindset was shaped early. Her journey began in a family garage, a modest setting that ignited a lifelong passion. From there, she progressed to the National League and earned the honour of representing Malta on some of the sport’s biggest stages: World Championships, European Championships, the Games of the Small States of Europe and the European Mixed League. Her international path also took her to Italy, where she competed for three seasons.

Between 1983 and 2007, Grech was a constant presence in international competition, a period she describes as formative not only for her sporting career, but for life itself. Over more than two decades, she held the title of national champion, while also securing podium finishes for Malta at the Small States Games and in the European Mixed League.

Some of her most meaningful experiences came at World and European Championships, where competing against larger nations brought both challenges and lessons.

“Some of my proudest moments came while competing at the World and European Championships. Representing Malta, I celebrated both victories and the unique challenges of being from a country with limited resources and fewer opportunities for international exposure. Facing larger European nations taught me resilience, and my determination helped me leave a meaningful mark for Malta in the sport, but this was not enough, I knew that as a player I reached my MAX. I searched for more opportunities within the sport.”

That realization opened new paths. GRECH transitioned into administrative and governance roles, serving on Malta’s National Council, being elected to an ITTF Committee, and later becoming a full member of the Technical Committee from 2005 to 2007. These roles allowed her to influence the sport’s development while upholding principles of fairness and equality.

Her commitment deepened when she became Secretary General of her National Council, focusing on strengthening the domestic table tennis community. Election to the National Olympic Committee of Malta followed, further expanding her ability to support sport at a national and international level.

Today, GRECH remains active both on and off the court. As a coach at a local Table Tennis Centre, she works closely with young players, passing on not only technical knowledge, but values shaped through decades in sport. At the same time, her role within the ETTU Gender Equality Committee allows her to advocate for inclusion and visibility across Europe.

“My role as Deputy President of the Gender Equality Committee of the ETTU allows me to champion inclusion, fair play, and create opportunities for women from every corner of Europe who wish to join one of the world’s oldest sports. Through these positions, I strive to make table tennis more accessible and welcoming, supporting anyone who dreams of participating, regardless of their background or previous experience. Table tennis helped me grow as a person. The discipline, teamwork and perseverance I learned through the sport still guide me in everything I do.”

GRECH continued:

“Table Tennis is a sport that helped me grow as a person, strive for my dreams, and achieve results both on the table and beyond. Throughout my journey, the values learned through intense training, competition, and teamwork have profoundly shaped my character and outlook. The discipline and perseverance fostered by the sport have not only brought success in matches but also instilled life skills that continue to guide me in every aspect of my personal and professional life as a director in the National Olympic Committee and as deputy President of the Gender Equality Committee of the European Table Tennis Union.”

Her message to future generations, especially to women coming from smaller countries, is clear and unwavering:

“Size does not define your future.”

Are Things Better for Men?

Alongside stories like GRECH’S, the Gender Equality Committee continues to gather data to better understand the reality for female players. A short survey conducted during the European Championships in Zadar collected around a dozen responses from players, a small sample, but one that still offers insight.

One recurring theme concerned competition schedules, with women often playing early in the day while men’s finals conclude events.

At national level, respondents felt that male players are still, in many cases, slightly better supported than female players. Encouragingly, perceptions were more positive when it came to ETTU competitions, suggesting progress at the European level.

While the results are indicative rather than definitive, the Committee sees this as a starting point.

As Johanna Grech’s journey illustrates, meaningful change often begins small – but with persistence, it grows.

The post In a Portrait – Johanna GRECH: Size Does Not Define Your Future first appeared on European table tennis union.

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