ETTU - European Table Tennis Union - News (4 Cititori)

[Milica Nikolic]

Ljubljana Mayor Zoran JANKOVIĆ, accompanied by Deputy Mayor Samo LOGAR, welcomed ETTU President Pedro MOURA, ITTF President Petra SÖRLING, ETTU Secretary General Pierre KASS and Slovenian Table Tennis Association President Tomaž KRALJ at Ljubljana City Hall during the 2026 European Championships.

Held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the 45th European Table Tennis Championships, currently taking place at Arena Stožice, Slovenia’s largest indoor sports venue.

During the visit, ETTU President Pedro MOURA and Secretary General Pierre KASS expressed their satisfaction with the organisation of the Championships so far and congratulated the local organisers on their efforts in hosting one of Europe’s most prestigious table tennis events.

The post Ljubljana Mayor welcomes ETTU representatives during European Championships first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

France’s Alexis LEBRUN and Charlotte LUTZ will meet Germany’s Benedikt DUDA and Nina MITTELHAM in tomorrow’s Mixed Doubles final at the European Championships in Ljubljana after contrasting semifinal victories at Arena Stožice.

LEBRUN and LUTZ battled past Sweden’s Kristian KARLSSON and Christina KALLBERG 3-2, recovering from a game down and a 6-9 deficit in the second to keep their title hopes alive.

“It’s not just another final, it’s amazing. We weren’t among the favourites to reach the final at the beginning of the tournament, so we are incredibly happy and proud of what we’ve achieved. We’ve already secured a medal, but now we want to fight for the title,” said LEBRUN.

“We have very tough opponents in DUDA and MITTELHAM. They are playing extremely well, but we’ll give our best, as always.”

LUTZ pointed to their response under pressure as the decisive factor.

“They started incredibly well. We were 1-0 down and trailing 9-6 in the second game, but we managed to make better decisions and raise our level. From 1-1, the match became much more balanced. At the crucial moments, we made the right choices, and Alexis produced a huge forehand at 10-9. I’m really happy that we came through this match together.”

In the other semifinal, DUDA and MITTELHAM dominated Romania’s Eduard IONESCU and Bernadette SZOCS, winning 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-2).

“Our partnership is getting better and better. With every match, we understand each other’s movements and routines more clearly and feel increasingly comfortable at the table. If we play like we did today, it’s very difficult for our opponents to beat us,” said MITTELHAM.

DUDA praised his partner and made their ambitions clear.

“We played an incredibly good match and exploited our opponents’ weaknesses very effectively. Nina was outstanding again today. Now that we’re in the final, of course we want more than just silver.”

Mixed Doubles – Semifinal results

• Benedikt DUDA / Nina MITTELHAM (GER) beat Eduard IONESCU / Bernadette SZOCS (ROU) 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-2)
• Alexis LEBRUN / Charlotte LUTZ (FRA) beat Kristian KARLSSON / Christina KALLBERG (SWE) 3-2 (6-11, 11-9, 13-11, 11-13, 11-9)

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[Milica Nikolic]

The Women’s Singles Round of 32 at the European Championships in Ljubljana delivered another remarkable chapter in the career of 63-year-old Ni Xia LIAN, while defending champion Sofia POLCANOVA, top seed Sabine WINTER and former finalist Bernadette SZOCS all secured their places in the Round of 16.

Luxembourg’s Ni Xia LIAN produced one of the day’s most memorable performances, overcoming Ukraine’s Margaryta PESOTSKA 4-3 in a dramatic seven-game contest. After taking a 3-1 lead, Ni saw PESOTSKA fight back to force a deciding game, but the experienced Luxembourg player held her nerve to clinch it 11-9.

“My legs are still working sometimes, and the memory is still there!” joked Ni after her victory.

“I really surprised myself. I’m very, very satisfied. I never imagined I could go this far, especially after a year without playing a match. I still have a metal implant in my hand, but it doesn’t bother me, and if I lose, I would never use that as an excuse. I haven’t been able to train enough, so of course there are some difficulties, but I really appreciate this result.”

Ni also reflected on the extraordinary experience of facing another former European champion.

“Remember, my opponent was European vice champion in 2008 and 2018, so she’s a very strong player. But for her, I’m also a strong opponent. Do you know why? Because I was European champion 30 years ago, in 1998 and 2002! So somewhere, somehow, we’re on the same level.”

Her enthusiasm for the sport remains undiminished.

“I’ve never stopped learning. There are so many great players in the world, and every time I watch them, I really enjoy it. Table tennis is so much fun because there’s always something new to learn. I think that’s what keeps you young.”

Defending champion Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria continued her campaign with a 4-1 victory over Croatia’s Hana ARAPOVIC. The opening two games were closely contested, with POLCANOVA prevailing 13-11 and 11-9 before dropping the third. She responded emphatically, taking the next two games 11-3 and 11-2.

“The first two games were very important. At the beginning, I struggled a little with her timing because she plays with a lot of curve on the ball, which confused me. I’m happy I managed to win those first two games,” explained POLCANOVA.

“In the third game, I suddenly felt really tired. I had no energy, I was hungry and I couldn’t concentrate properly. After that game, I ate a banana, and the banana saved the world! I got my energy back and was able to fight again.”

The Austrian also acknowledged the pressure of pursuing another European crown.

“I really try not to think about the title because it puts a lot of pressure on me. At the same time, I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to defend it for a third consecutive time. Not many players get that chance, so I try to look at it that way.”

Germany’s top seed Sabine WINTER overcame Croatia’s Lea RAKOVAC in straight games, although the 4-0 scoreline did not fully reflect the resistance she encountered. The first three games were decided 11-9, 11-9 and 12-10 before WINTER closed out the match 11-4.

“It was a 4-0 win, but the match was much closer than the score suggests. My opponent was the underdog, took a lot of risks and landed plenty of her shots. But I was able to stand up to her very well, especially mentally. That’s an important takeaway from this match,” said WINTER.

Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS also advanced without dropping a game, defeating France’s Alexia NODIN 4-0. Despite the convincing result, SZOCS was full of praise for her young opponent’s defensive skills.

“It was an incredibly tough match. I had to work unbelievably hard. I must say that my opponent has a bright future ahead of her. The quality of her defensive play is amazing, and I honestly didn’t expect to have to work quite so hard,” said SZOCS.

“I’m very proud of myself because I played at my best. I think I produced an excellent performance against defence, with very good tactics and ball placement. If I hadn’t been in my best shape today, I could easily have lost this match.”

SZOCS explained that her confidence against defensive players had returned after overcoming the psychological effects of an earlier arm injury.

“For about two years, I struggled against defensive players, but I think the problem was more mental than physical. Now I no longer have pain in my arm, so I don’t think about the injury anymore. I’m mentally very strong in these matches. I have a lot of patience, and I believe that’s the key to beating a defensive player.”

France’s Prithika PAVADE came through an entertaining six-game encounter against Romania’s Adina DIACONU, winning 4-2. The French player showed impressive composure after her disappointment in the Women’s Doubles earlier in the day.

“I’m extremely happy. I think it’s important to acknowledge when you’ve played really well, and today I feel I produced a very strong performance. My opponent played extremely well too. What was incredible was that the level kept getting higher as the match progressed, even though we had already started at a very high level,” said PAVADE.

“The most important thing was being able to switch my focus quickly. Defeats can affect me quite deeply, but today I’m really proud of how I managed to put that disappointment behind me. Above all, I’m happy with the level of table tennis I produced. It’s important to see that I’m making progress.”

Romania enjoyed further success through Andreea DRAGOMAN, who overcame Slovenia’s Sara TOKIC 4-2 in a demanding encounter. DRAGOMAN was pushed hard by the home player, eventually sealing victory 12-10 in the sixth game.

“I can barely breathe after this match! It was incredibly intense. I knew from the beginning that it wouldn’t be easy, but my opponent played really well. I was actually surprised by how well she performed,” said DRAGOMAN.

“I had to stay focused on every point because even when I was leading, she never gave up. At one stage, I was ahead 7-2 and perhaps relaxed a little, but suddenly it was 7-7, which put me under even more pressure. I’m really happy that I managed to win the important points towards the end.”

Elizabet ABRAAMIAN of Russia ended the run of another Slovenian player, Ana TOFANT, with a 4-1 victory. The third game proved particularly important, with ABRAAMIAN taking it 14-12 after the players had split the opening two games.

“It’s always difficult to play against someone on home ground, especially with so many people supporting her. But I knew the spectators were there to enjoy the match and the table tennis, so I just wanted to focus on my own game,” explained ABRAAMIAN.

“She has a very unusual playing style, with slow balls, a lot of spin and some unpredictable shots. I watched her previous match, and when I saw that she had beaten Fu YU, I knew I had to be prepared for a tough contest. The key was to concentrate on every ball and stick to my own game.”

Wales’ Anna HURSEY also booked her place in the next round after defeating France’s Nina GUO ZHENG 4-2. The match featured several shifts in momentum, but HURSEY raised her level in the decisive moments.

“It was a really tough match, and I think we both played very well. In the end, it came down to who could perform better in the close moments. Thankfully, I managed to win those important points, and that also helped me in the final game,” said HURSEY.

“Mentally, it was quite challenging. My opponent has a difficult playing style for me, and there were a lot of tricky balls to deal with. But I think I was mentally strong today, and that made the difference.”

Romania’s Elena ZAHARIA needed six games to overcome the Netherlands’ Shuohan MEN, winning 4-2. After the opening four games were shared, ZAHARIA took control with victories in the fifth and sixth.

“I knew this match would be all about patience. My opponent is a very tactical player, so I knew I had to be smart and make the right decisions. I also want to thank my coach because she helped me stay patient and play at my own rhythm rather than allowing my opponent to dictate the pace,” said ZAHARIA.

“Even though it was a very close match, with plenty of ups and downs, I’m happy that I managed to control my thoughts and emotions, stay balanced and secure the victory.”

Poland’s Natalia BAJOR advanced with a 4-2 victory over Karin GROFOVA of Czechia, while Germany’s Annett KAUFMANN overcame Monaco’s Xiaoxin YANG by the same margin.

“I made things unnecessarily exciting again when I let my 10-4 lead slip and the game went into deuce,” admitted KAUFMANN, who eventually closed out the sixth game 12-10.

The German now faces 63-year-old Ni Xia LIAN in the Round of 16.

“I’ve never played her before. Given the age difference, she could be my mother or almost even my grandmother. But what she achieves, both in terms of her table tennis and her physical fitness, is truly impressive. We’ll see what awaits me. But then again, she doesn’t know what to expect from me either.”

Germany’s Nina MITTELHAM defeated Switzerland’s Rachel MORET 4-1 to secure a Round of 16 meeting with Romania’s Andreea DRAGOMAN.

“I’m happy with my performance. In the game I lost, MORET played very well and hit some difficult shots. I know DRAGOMAN, my next opponent, very well. We’ve played each other several times before,” said MITTELHAM.

Slovakia’s Tatiana KUKULKOVA secured a 4-1 victory over Portugal’s Jieni SHAO, while France’s Jia Nan YUAN progressed after beating Ukraine’s Veronika MATIUNINA by the same margin, while Germany’s Ying HAN recorded a straight-games victory over Luxembourg’s Sarah DE NUTTE.

Italy’s Gaia MONFARDINI completed the list of winners from the afternoon’s later sessions with a 4-2 success against Türkiye’s Ece HARAC.

The post Ni Xia LIAN defies age as POLCANOVA, WINTER and SZOCS advance in Ljubljana first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Norway’s Borgar HAUG produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana, defeating 11th seed Marcos FREITAS of Portugal in a dramatic seven-game encounter to reach the Men’s Singles Round of 16. While HAUG celebrated a breakthrough victory, defending champion Alexis LEBRUN and home favourite Darko JORGIC were forced to fight back from two games down, and the leading contenders continued their pursuit of the European crown.

HAUG, who entered the Championships through the group stage, overcame FREITAS 4-3 (11-4, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 5-11, 7-11, 11-7). The Norwegian appeared to be heading towards a comfortable victory when he established a 3-1 lead, but the experienced Portuguese player fought back to force a deciding game.

HAUG, who was eliminated in the Round of 32 at the previous European Championships in Linz, held his nerve to secure a place among Europe’s last 16.

“It was a really long and intense match. I felt I got off to a very good start. I didn’t have to think too much; I could just go for every shot, and a lot of them were landing,” said HAUG.

“After a while, my adversary started playing better. He made some adjustments and put more spin on the ball, which made things more difficult for me. I also got a little caught up in trying to play aggressively all the time.”

The Norwegian found encouragement even during a difficult sixth game.

“Towards the end of the sixth game, even though I was well behind, I started to find a few solutions and got a better feeling for my game again. That gave me confidence. So I went into the seventh game determined to give absolutely everything and leave it all on the table. Luckily, it worked out.”

JORGIC survives a dramatic battle on home soil

Fourth seed Darko JORGIC endured another emotional evening in front of his home supporters, recovering from a 0-2 deficit against Poland’s Milosz REDZIMSKI to keep his title ambitions alive.

The Slovenian struggled with his rhythm and the playing conditions before gradually taking control. Even after turning the match around, he missed an opportunity to finish in six games when a fortunate edge helped REDZIMSKI survive a match point at 10-9.

“We were supposed to play each other four times before, but one of us always lost before we could meet, so today was our first match against each other. Neither of us really knew what to expect,” explained JORGIC.

“I struggled to find my rhythm, especially in the first two games. The balls were an issue, but the mental side was a problem too. I made far too many mistakes on the return, and both games got away from me far too quickly.”

JORGIC admitted that his biggest battle was often with himself.

“When I can’t find the right feeling for the ball, I get frustrated with myself after every point. I kept searching for that feeling, but I didn’t find it until the deciding game.”

The Slovenian hopes the experience will help him produce a stronger performance in the next round.

“Apparently, I’m used to drama! I don’t mind spending an extra game out there if it helps me get used to the conditions ahead of tomorrow. I really hope the real Darko shows up from the very first point tomorrow.”

Defending champion Alexis LEBRUN fights back

Defending champion and second seed Alexis LEBRUN also faced a serious challenge, falling two games behind against Moldova’s Vladislav URSU before finding the tactical solutions needed to turn the match around.

“It was a complicated match against a player whose ranking doesn’t necessarily reflect his level because he doesn’t compete internationally very often. He has produced some excellent results and is a very dangerous adversary who takes a lot of risks,” said LEBRUN.

“In the first two games, he was playing incredibly well. I got caught up in his rhythm, which made things difficult for me. I made mistakes at important moments, and suddenly I found myself in a very difficult situation.”

LEBRUN credited coach Nathanaël MOLIN with helping him regain control.

“He helped me make some technical adjustments. Considering the level URSU was playing at, I was a little lost and didn’t really know what to do. Nat helped me refocus on the first eight or ten points of the next game. That allowed me to understand the tactics better and see immediately that those changes were working.”

Despite the difficulties, the Frenchman drew encouragement from his ability to recover.

“You can come very close to elimination and still go on to become European champion. The level is incredibly high, so if you’re having a slightly difficult day, almost anyone can challenge you. What makes the difference is having a wide range of technical options and being able to find solutions.”

Félix LEBRUN and MOREGARD advance in straight games

Top seed Félix LEBRUN experienced a considerably smoother passage, defeating Croatia’s Ivor BAN 4-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-3, 11-7).

The Frenchman dominated with his serve and never allowed BAN to establish a foothold in the contest.

“I served very well, and my adversary also struggled with his returns. I think it was a combination of both, which allowed me to relax,” said Félix LEBRUN.

“I knew he was a good server, but because I was winning almost all the points on my own serve, I only needed to win about half the points on his. That took a lot of pressure off me throughout the match, and I was able to play at a very high level.”

LEBRUN welcomed another efficient victory as the competition approaches its decisive stages.

“Whenever you can win the opening rounds relatively comfortably, it gives you confidence. Of course, the matches will become more difficult with every round, but I’m looking forward to the moment when the competition really heats up.”

Third seed Truls MOREGARD of Sweden defeated Germany’s Andre BERTELSMEIER 4-0 (11-5, 11-2, 11-9, 18-16), reversing the difficulties he experienced against the German during their previous meeting in the United States this summer.

“It felt good. I was very confident about the aspects of my game that didn’t work last time, and today I was much better. I served well and moved well. When those things are working, I know I’m hard to beat,” said MOREGARD.

GAUZY overturns two-game deficit against COTON

In an all-French encounter, ninth seed Simon GAUZY recovered from two games down to defeat rising star Flavien COTON 4-2 (5-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5).

COTON’s speed and powerful backhand initially overwhelmed his more experienced compatriot. GAUZY, however, changed the rhythm of the exchanges, varied his service and returns, and used his tactical experience to win four consecutive games.

“For the first two games, I was completely overwhelmed by my adversary’s speed and power. I simply couldn’t compete with him in those areas,” admitted GAUZY.

“After that, I started playing with my own weapons. I tried to find serves and returns that would prevent him from using his extremely powerful backhand. It wasn’t easy because the speed and spin he generates are really impressive.”

GAUZY was particularly pleased with the variety he brought to the contest.

“It’s good that table tennis has room for different playing styles. People might say I’m not as fast or as powerful, but I have other weapons. I’m very happy and proud that I never gave up.”

QIU sets up another meeting with GAUZY

Seventh seed Dang QIU of Germany defeated Denmark’s Jonathan GROTH 4-0 (11-8, 13-11, 11-8, 11-5), with the closely contested second game proving decisive.

“The second game was definitely one of the turning points. When you’re already 1-0 ahead and then manage to win another close game, it makes the following games much easier in terms of pressure and stress,” explained QIU.

“At 2-0, the match was still far from decided, but all the momentum he had built up during the second game was suddenly gone. I took that momentum, made a good start in the third game and then started the fourth strongly as well.”

QIU now faces GAUZY, who defeated him approximately a year ago in Saarlouis.

“My section of the draw seems to be packed with world-class players. There’s one outstanding player after another, but I have to take it match by match,” said QIU.

“Against GAUZY, it will certainly be a very difficult match. He’s in excellent form and plays very well in these conditions. I’ll have to prepare for long rallies. I lost to him 3-0 about a year ago in Saarlouis, under similar conditions. I’m looking forward to the chance for revenge.”

GIONIS delivers birthday present for his coach

Greece’s experienced defensive specialist Panagiotis GIONIS produced one of the most emphatic victories of the round, overcoming Italy’s Matteo MUTTI 4-0 (11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-4).

GIONIS, returning to the European Championships after missing recent editions through injury, controlled the match with his defensive variations and conceded only 16 points.

“I had never played against MUTTI before, so I didn’t know how he would play against a defensive player. I couldn’t even find a video on YouTube to study his game,” said GIONIS.

“From the beginning, I noticed that he wasn’t very confident against defence. He struggled to read the spin and the no-spin balls, and I felt he wasn’t quite sure which tactics to use.”

There was also a personal reason for his exceptional concentration.

“My coach’s birthday is coming up in a few days, and he asked me for a present! So I wanted to give him this victory. I think I was even more focused than usual.”

Having achieved his objectives of qualifying for the World Championships and reaching the European Round of 16, GIONIS can now look forward to a meeting with sixth seed Anton KALLBERG.

“Anton will be a very tough adversary for me. He’s an amazing player, one of the best in the world, and he’s also very strong against defensive players. But I’ve achieved my goals, so now I can enjoy the next match.”

KALLBERG and FRANZISKA progress

Sweden’s Anton KALLBERG secured his place in the last 16 with a 4-2 victory over Romania’s Iulian CHIRITA (11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9).

“Once again, I had to give it absolutely everything. Winning 4-2 today is a little better than yesterday’s 4-3 victory against ARTEMENKO, but I faced another very tough adversary, so I’m extremely pleased with the win,” said KALLBERG.

“My forehand felt better today than yesterday, but I still believe my best table tennis is yet to come. I know I can be even sharper, which is encouraging for the rest of the Championships.”

Germany’s eighth seed Patrick FRANZISKA also advanced without dropping a game, defeating Slovenia’s Deni KOZUL 4-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-4, 12-10).

“Winning 4-0 is always better. In the last game, my adversary started taking more risks and played some excellent shots. But I managed to stay close, and I definitely wanted to win that game as well,” said FRANZISKA.

“He was playing in front of his home crowd and was extremely motivated, especially towards the end. I’m really happy with the victory.”

Fifth seed Benedikt DUDA continued Germany’s strong showing by defeating England’s Tom JARVIS.

“Everything went really well for me in this match. We managed to read JARVIS’ serves, which unsettled him quite early. My serve and receive were strong, I moved well and was able to use my forehand a lot,” explained DUDA.

“I’m very happy with the performance, especially because the result was so convincing. I also remember our match in China last week, when I was trailing 1-2 in games and 0-5 in the fourth. That’s why I’m particularly pleased that everything worked out so well today.”

KARLSSON praises NAUMI after reaching last 16

Sweden’s Kristian KARLSSON secured his place in the Men’s Singles Round of 16 with a victory over Finland’s Alex NAUMI.

KARLSSON paid tribute to the Finnish player, who had impressed throughout the Championships, particularly against left-handed adversaries.

“I have to give a lot of credit to Alex for the tournament he’s had. He’s beaten some very good left-handed players throughout the week, and he was dangerous today as well. I’m very satisfied with my victory,” said KARLSSON.

Seven-game battles keep Ljubljana on edge

Finland’s Benedek OLAH produced another dramatic finish, defeating 14th seed Eduard IONESCU of Romania 4-3 (11-8, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 11-6).

OLAH established a 3-1 advantage before IONESCU won two consecutive games to level the contest. The Finnish player regained control in the decider to secure his place in the last 16.

Sweden’s Elias RANEFUR also needed the full seven games to overcome Evgenii TIKHONOV of Russia, prevailing 4-3 (4-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-13, 12-14, 11-9, 11-7).

After falling behind 2-3, RANEFUR recovered to win the final two games and complete another dramatic comeback.

“It was a hard-fought victory. We both had to make different adjustments right until the end. I’m happy I managed to clinch the win, and especially pleased with how I handled the match when things weren’t working the way I wanted them to,” said RANEFUR.

Croatia’s 12th seed Tomislav PUCAR survived a major challenge from Portugal’s João GERALDO, winning 4-3 (12-10, 4-11, 4-11, 13-11, 1-11, 11-4, 12-10).

GERALDO had taken a 3-2 lead after dominating the fifth game 11-1, but PUCAR responded to force a decider and edged the final game 12-10.

“I’m not sure I was the favourite, but we’ve played each other a few times before, and those matches have always been tough. He’s ranked 30th in the world, so he’s a fantastic player and has been playing really well lately,” said PUCAR.

“It wasn’t easy. I won the first game, but then he took the next two quite comfortably. I had to fight my way back into the match.”

The Croatian also revealed that he had been struggling with a back problem, which affected his confidence during the match.

“My back is a bit sore. It’s not so much the pain itself, but more the fear that it might suddenly seize up. That stopped me from fully committing to some shots. As the match went on and the adrenaline kicked in, though, I think the discomfort actually eased a little.”

Despite the physical discomfort, PUCAR managed to find the strength to prevail in the deciding game.

“By the seventh game, I’d almost forgotten about my back, even though it was still bothering me on certain points. He had his chances and even had a match point, so he could have won it. This time, things went my way, and that’s how it goes.”

PUCAR will now face Germany’s Patrick FRANZISKA in the Round of 16.

“Tomorrow, I’ll face FRANZISKA, which will obviously be another tough match. He’s clearly the favourite, but I’ll fight as hard as I can, give it everything I’ve got, and we’ll see what happens.”

The post Borgar HAUG shines as Men’s Singles drama unfolds in Ljubljana first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The Women’s Doubles Event final at the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana will feature two Polish players on opposite sides of the table after Zuzanna WIELGOS and Anna BRZYSKA (POL) and the Slovak-Polish combination of Tatiana KUKULKOVA (SVK) and Natalia BAJOR (POL) secured their places in the gold medal match.

Both pairs came through demanding semifinals at Arena Stožice, with WIELGOS and BRZYSKA recovering twice from a game down to overcome Germany’s Annett KAUFMANN and Nina MITTELHAM 3-2 (8-11, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 11-5), while KUKULKOVA and BAJOR produced an impressive straight-games victory over Romania’s experienced Bernadette SZOCS and Elizabeta SAMARA 3-0 (13-11, 11-6, 11-7).

For WIELGOS and BRZYSKA, the semifinal was a test of resilience. After losing the opening game, the Polish pair levelled the match, only to fall behind again. They saved their best table tennis for the decisive stages, taking the fourth game 12-10 before dominating the fifth.

“It was a very close match. We started badly and lost the opening game, but in the second game our positioning changed and we felt much more comfortable playing in that formation. Even so, we only won it 11-9, so it was still very tight. We then lost the next game, but we kept believing that we could turn the match around. In the fifth game, we were in control and played our best game of the entire match. We are extremely happy that we managed to win and that we will play in tomorrow’s final,” said BRZYSKA.

WIELGOS highlighted the importance of their complementary styles and the improvement in her attacking game as the match progressed.

“I think it was a very difficult match for us. We lost the opening game, which was also very close, and I felt that I did not play particularly well at the beginning because my forehand was not working as it did later in the match. In the following games, my forehand improved a lot. I was hitting the ball hard, and whenever KAUFMANN and MITTELHAM managed to return my shots, Anna was there to finish the point.”

She added:

“Just like in yesterday’s match, I think the key was that I played aggressively and Anna finished the rallies with her forehand. Another important factor was Anna’s backhand. She moved very well and kept up with the rallies. Even when her return with the long pimples was a little higher, our opponents often just pushed the ball back, giving me the opportunity to attack with spin or more power. I think we played very well together, and in the deciding game we were completely dominant.”

In the other semifinal, KUKULKOVA and BAJOR delivered one of the most significant victories of their partnership, defeating a Romanian combination with an outstanding European Championships record.

SZOCS won the Women’s Doubles European title alongside Sofia POLCANOVA in 2022 and finished runner-up with the same partner in 2024. SAMARA is a two-time European Women’s Doubles champion, having won gold with Daniela DODEAN in 2009 and 2012, in addition to collecting three silver and two bronze medals.

However, KUKULKOVA and BAJOR refused to be intimidated by their opponents’ experience. The opening game proved crucial as they recovered from 7-9 down to take it 13-11 before controlling the following two games.

“We are very happy. It was the first time we played against the Romanian pair, Bernadette SZOCS and Elizabeta SAMARA. I think the most important moment was the opening game. We were leading 7-3, then suddenly found ourselves 7-9 down, but managed to win it 13-11. After that, we played better and better. We were leading throughout the following game, so we are really pleased,” said BAJOR.

“At the last European Championships, we had match point in the semifinal against Baška and Hanna, but we lost that match. Now we are very happy because we have reached our first European Championships final together.”

KUKULKOVA explained how their tactical approach helped them neutralise the Romanian pair.

“As Natalia said, the first game was very important. We also won the toss again, so we knew I would play against Bernadette SZOCS in the first and third games because she does not like playing against pimples. I think it worked very well at the beginning. We went 5-0 up, and she could hardly return a ball. Of course, they came back because they are very good players, and that was normal. But we stayed calm and did our best.”

The Slovak player admitted that memories of their previous European Championships semifinal defeat briefly returned when they approached match point.

“The second game was also good, and in the third, I have to admit, we were a little lucky. When we were leading 10-6 and lost the next point, I thought, ‘Oh my God, here we go again.’ I remembered what happened at the previous European Championships. But this time we handled the situation very well, and I think we were the better pair.”

KUKULKOVA and BAJOR, bronze medallists in 2024, have now improved on that achievement and will compete for their first European Women’s Doubles title together.

Their adversaries, WIELGOS and BRZYSKA, have already secured their first European Championships Women’s Doubles medals, making Saturday’s final a meeting between an established medal-winning partnership and a Polish pair enjoying a breakthrough tournament.

The post WIELGOS and BRZYSKA will face KUKULKOVA and BAJOR in Doubles final first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Defending champions Alexis and Félix LEBRUN of France will face Sweden’s Kristian KARLSSON and Anton KÄLLBERG in the Men’s Doubles final at the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana after both pairs secured straight-games victories in Friday’s semifinals at Arena Stožice.

The LEBRUN brothers, who claimed the European title in Linz two years ago and bronze in Munich in 2022, defeated their French teammates Esteban DORR and Florian BOURRASSAUD 3-0 (12-10, 11-9, 11-7). KARLSSON and KÄLLBERG were equally impressive, overcoming Moldova’s Vladislav URSU and Andrei PUTUNTICA 3-0 (11-5, 11-9, 15-13).

For the French brothers, the scoreline did not reflect the intensity of their semifinal. The opening two games were closely contested, but the defending champions delivered when it mattered most.

“I’m really happy. It wasn’t easy, and I think the 3-0 scoreline is quite harsh because the first two games were extremely close. The opening game was a major turning point and allowed us to relax a little. It feels particularly good because we could see that they were in excellent form and had prepared very well. We really had to fight for this victory, and it shows once again that we are capable of staying solid under pressure. I’m very proud of us,” said Alexis LEBRUN.

Facing DORR and BOURRASSAUD was particularly challenging because of the close relationship between the two French pairs.

“Of course, it’s a special match when you’re playing against your teammates from the French national team, especially Esteban and Flo, who train with us. We spend practically every day together,” explained Félix LEBRUN.

“Alexis and I prepared for the match based on our previous encounters with them, but also on what we know from training together. We tried to exploit their weaknesses, and I think we managed to disrupt their game. We played a very good opening game and managed to win it despite how close it was. After that, I think we had a slight advantage in the match. The second game could also have gone either way, but we played well at the crucial moments, which was great.”

The brothers had to recover from a difficult position in the opening game, but Félix insisted that their success came from maintaining their approach rather than making major tactical changes.

“We didn’t change anything. We just kept fighting. That’s table tennis – sometimes the momentum changes. There were a couple of points when they were dominating, and then they made a mistake. Winning that game was a huge boost for us. We knew it was a blow for them, and we also know how difficult it is for anyone to come back against us when we lead 1-0.”

“We didn’t make any particular tactical adjustments at that moment. Usually, we already know our tactics. We’ve prepared them and followed them, so they become quite natural. We just keep trying to win each point, sometimes with small variations or little surprises, but that’s something we do throughout the match.”

In the other semifinal, KARLSSON and KÄLLBERG controlled the opening stages against URSU and PUTUNTICA before being pushed to their limits in the third game. The Swedish pair eventually prevailed 15-13 to secure their place in Saturday’s gold medal match.

“We felt good going into the match. We were ready from the start and had a clear plan for how we wanted to play. We knew a little about URSU and PUTUNTICA’s strengths and what they were trying to do, so we started solidly and managed to maintain our lead throughout the match,” said KÄLLBERG.

KARLSSON, one of Europe’s most decorated doubles players, was satisfied with how the pair handled the decisive moments.

“We won the first two games relatively comfortably, although the margins were not huge. Then it became much closer. It is difficult to beat anyone easily in a European Championships semifinal. I think we played really well at the crucial moments after 10-10 and managed to win in three games.”

The experienced Swede has an outstanding record in Men’s Doubles, having won European gold in 2022 alongside Mattias FALCK, silver in 2018 and 2012, and bronze in 2024, 2016 and 2015, all with FALCK.

Now playing alongside KÄLLBERG, KARLSSON believes their contrasting strengths make them a formidable combination.

“I have played a lot of doubles over the years, so I feel very comfortable in doubles. Anton is extremely good at playing over the table, which is very important in doubles, and he is also excellent in his movement. When you have a partner who is that good, it makes playing together quite easy.”

KÄLLBERG, who is chasing his first European Championships Men’s Doubles medal in Ljubljana, knows that defeating the reigning champions will require another exceptional performance.

“It will take a tremendous performance in the final, regardless of who we face. We will have to play at our absolute best, and I hope we can make it happen.”

The LEBRUN brothers are equally aware of the challenge awaiting them.

“They are an incredible pair, with Kristian KARLSSON, who has an outstanding record, and Anton KÄLLBERG, who is also a very strong player. We expect a difficult match. We know our strengths, and we will try to win the title by producing a great performance in the final,” said Félix LEBRUN.

The post LEBRUN brothers to defend European Doubles crown against KARLSSON and KÄLLBERG first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

France’s Prithika PAVADE produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana on Friday, defeating top seed Sabine WINTER of Germany to reach the Women’s Singles quarterfinals. The opening Round of 16 sessions at Arena Stožice also brought impressive victories for Romania’s Elena ZAHARIA and Russia’s Elizabet ABRAAMIAN, while Germany’s Nina MITTELHAM survived a dramatic seven-game battle.

Ninth seed PAVADE overcame WINTER 4-2 (11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 7-11, 11-8, 12-10), ending the German favourite’s hopes of claiming the European Singles crown.

PAVADE made an excellent start, taking the opening two games before WINTER responded to level the contest. The French player regained control in the fifth and held her nerve in a closely contested sixth game to complete a major victory.

“Honestly, it’s quite incredible. The whole match was crazy. I started extremely well, then WINTER came back and I felt the match slipping away from me. I’m not entirely sure how I managed to win the fifth game, but in the end, it was a magnificent match,” said PAVADE.

“Beating a player of her calibre at the European Championships obviously means a great deal to me. Everything happened so quickly towards the end that I’m still gradually coming down from the excitement. My heart is still racing!”

Despite facing the top seed, PAVADE revealed that she had entered the match genuinely believing she could win.

“When you go into a match like this, if you don’t believe in yourself, you’ve already lost before you start. I really had a lot of confidence in myself. I felt that I was playing well, and more importantly, I had some tactical ideas. I said yesterday that if I could manage to impose my game tactically, I knew I had the possibility of causing WINTER problems.”

The French player admitted that finding solutions after WINTER’s comeback was crucial.

“Above all, I needed to find tactical solutions when I felt the match turning in WINTER’s favour. She won two games quite quickly, and I could feel that she was dominating. I was frustrated, and the important thing was to find a few small adjustments that might allow me to get back into the match.

“To be honest, I couldn’t even tell you exactly what made the difference. I just saw that I had managed to get back level on the scoreboard. When you reach 8-8, you have to make the right decisions. Suddenly, you begin to see things more clearly and understand better what you need to do.”

PAVADE was particularly proud of the composure she maintained in the closing stages.

“In the final game, it becomes much more mental because you can see that you have a real opportunity to win. I’m very proud that I managed to stay calm, maintain a clear mind and make the right decisions.”

For now, she is determined to enjoy the victory before turning her attention to Saturday’s quarterfinal.

“Everything is still very fresh, so I haven’t really started thinking about the next match yet. First, I need to come down from the excitement and enjoy this victory. Right now, I really haven’t thought about what comes next. I just want to enjoy this moment, and then, of course, do everything necessary to be fully ready for tomorrow.”

Another major result came from 35th seed Elizabet ABRAAMIAN, who defeated fifth seed Jia Nan YUAN of France in straight games, 4-0 (11-9, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8).

ABRAAMIAN, ranked No. 40 in the October ETTU ranking, showed remarkable composure against one of the leading contenders for the title.

“I’m really happy with how I played. It was my first time playing against YUAN, and I know she’s a really good player. To be honest, I’ve always wanted to play against her and see how I would do. I knew I had to get my tactics right because otherwise, it could have been a much tougher match,” said ABRAAMIAN.

The Russian player also revealed that she has been competing with a painful muscle injury sustained earlier in the tournament.

“It’s quite a serious issue, to be honest, but I’m trying not to think about it too much. I picked up the injury on the second day of the tournament. It’s a muscle injury, and it’s pretty painful. It’s not just the kind of soreness you get after training – it’s a proper injury.

“We’re working with the doctor and the rest of the team to manage it. When I’m playing, I usually don’t feel it too much or think about it, but the pain comes back after the match. So I’m just happy I can keep playing. That’s the most important thing.”

With a European Championships medal now just one victory away, ABRAAMIAN is determined to remain focused.

“Of course, winning a medal is a dream of mine, and it’s the next big goal I want to achieve. I’ve won the national championships four times, and now I really want to win a medal here. I’d love to win gold, too. That’s my ambition, and I believe I can do it. But for now, I’m just taking it one match at a time and not thinking too far ahead.”

Romania’s Elena ZAHARIA also continued her impressive campaign, defeating Italy’s Gaia MONFARDINI 4-2 (11-8, 11-3, 11-4, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9).

Seeded 33rd, ZAHARIA has now reached the quarterfinals at only her second senior European Championships, having lost in the opening round two years ago.

“I feel such a sense of relief now. I can finally breathe again because I knew I was facing a very tough opponent. MONFARDINI has played extremely well throughout this tournament. We met a few months ago at the US Smash, where I won 3-2, and that was an equally intense match.

“I knew this would be a very tactical encounter. She is a very strong and aggressive player, and I knew I would have to keep raising my level and fight for every point because every single point was important,” said ZAHARIA.

Reflecting on her progress, the Romanian added:

“This is my best result so far because it is only my second senior European Championships. Two years ago, I lost in the opening round. This time, I knew I had an opportunity with the draw, and I believed I could compete with these players and raise my level.

“I can now make better use of all the experience I have gained, including from my junior career. I feel more confident and more experienced.”

Germany’s Nina MITTELHAM completed the quartet of quarterfinalists from the opening sessions after overcoming Romania’s Andreea DRAGOMAN 4-3.

MITTELHAM appeared to be in control with a 3-1 lead, but DRAGOMAN fought back to force a deciding game. The German eventually prevailed, admitting that the encounter had taken a considerable physical and mental toll.

“It was definitely a very exhausting match, and now I feel extremely relieved. I was very tense throughout, actually right from the beginning. I was leading 3-1, but then I lost two games, both of which I think were at 9-9. That stays in your mind, and I really didn’t want the deciding game to reach 9-9 again.

“DRAGOMAN played extremely well and adapted to the match very effectively. I couldn’t execute everything I had planned because she played in a way that made things uncomfortable for me. In the end, I’m simply relieved that I managed to win.”

MITTELHAM also revealed that she has been struggling with illness during the Championships.

“Today is actually the first day I’ve felt that my cold is finally improving. I slept well, but of course I can still feel the effects of being unwell over the past few days. I’m a little more tired than usual and not quite as sharp or explosive physically.

“Considering that, I think it was a really good performance. Obviously, I would have preferred not to play seven games, but that’s how it went. Now I have a few hours to prepare for the mixed doubles, and tomorrow I’ll only have one match.”

The post PAVADE stuns top seed WINTER as ZAHARIA and ABRAAMIAN continue remarkable runs in Ljubljana first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Defending champion Alexis LEBRUN of France, Germany’s Patrick FRANZISKA and Benedikt DUDA, and Sweden’s Anton KÄLLBERG secured their places in the Men’s Singles quarterfinals at the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana on Friday. While KÄLLBERG and DUDA progressed with convincing victories, FRANZISKA survived a dramatic seven-game battle against Croatia’s Tomislav PUCAR, and LEBRUN overcame a demanding challenge from Sweden’s Kristian KARLSSON.

LEBRUN, the No. 2 seed, defeated KARLSSON 4-2 (11-13, 11-8, 11-4, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9), gaining a measure of revenge for his Round of 16 defeat against the Swede at the European Championships in Munich four years ago.

“I’m very happy and relieved. It was a difficult match against an exceptional player who always rises to the occasion in major competitions, across all events. To have beaten KARLSSON twice here is a great source of pride, especially considering his achievements and experience. He is an extremely difficult opponent to face. He knocked me out in the Round of 16 at the European Championships in Munich in 2022, so this was also a little personal revenge. I’m really pleased,” said LEBRUN.

The Frenchman admitted that the opening game had been particularly frustrating, with KARLSSON successfully countering his attacking play.

“In the first game, KARLSSON countered my opening attacks extremely well. I was frustrated because I felt I had started the match well, but he immediately produced an exceptional level of play. Against a player like him, it is always better to take the lead.

“Normally, it isn’t easy for opponents to adapt to the quality of my shots, but he managed to do that superbly. I had to find the resources to fight back, and that’s what matters.”

LEBRUN, who earlier on Friday also reached the Men’s Doubles final alongside his younger brother Félix, emphasised the demands of competing at this stage of the Championships.

“For the past two or three days, I’ve been giving 110 per cent in every match. At this stage of the competition, we’re playing matches at the very highest European level, even world level. You cannot hold anything back. You have to give absolutely everything you have and see whether it pays off.”

One of the most dramatic encounters of the day saw eighth seed Patrick FRANZISKA overcome 12th seed Tomislav PUCAR 4-3 (5-11, 11-6, 11-13, 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7).

The German described the contest as a tactical chess match between two players who know each other’s strengths extremely well.

“Playing against PUCAR is always extremely difficult. It feels almost like a game of chess. We are both tall, we both take quite a lot of risks, and he has such a strong backhand that you are constantly trying to take it out of the game. His forehand has also improved significantly, which makes him a very uncomfortable opponent for me.

“When I lost the third game after leading 10-6, I had to sit down for a moment because I knew how important that game was. Once he gains the upper hand and starts playing with confidence, he can attack from absolutely any position. Fortunately, I managed to come back from 1-5 in the fourth game, and in the end it was a real battle of nerves.”

Despite the exhausting encounter, FRANZISKA admitted that he enjoys the challenge of long matches and the mental demands they bring.

“In a way, I love these kinds of matches. I am a big fan of the best-of-seven format because you really have time to get into the battle. There were moments during the match when I thought, ‘This is fantastic, a proper fight!’ In best-of-five matches, everything sometimes happens so quickly that you barely feel you have settled into the match. Even if I had lost today, I would still feel the same about best-of-seven. I am happy that I embraced the fight.”

He added:

“I am not sweating just because it is physically demanding. That is what I love about our sport. It is not only about physical effort and spectacular rallies, but also about battles of nerves like today’s match. It becomes extremely tactical, and you have to stay calm, constantly finding new solutions. If you make a bad decision, you have to forget it quickly and move on.”

Looking ahead to a potential meeting with top seed Félix LEBRUN, FRANZISKA welcomed the opportunity to test himself against one of Europe’s strongest players.

“Félix is coming through the draw very convincingly. I never really look at the draw, although I knew before today’s match that I could face him next. There are certainly easier opponents to draw at the moment! But you want to play against the best, and for me, Félix is probably the best player here right now. I am really looking forward to that challenge.”

Germany’s Benedikt DUDA, the No. 5 seed and silver medallist from the 2024 European Championships in Linz, advanced with a 4-1 victory over Finland’s Benedek OLAH (11-4, 11-6, 11-2, 5-11, 11-5).

DUDA dominated the opening three games before OLAH briefly interrupted his momentum, but the German quickly regained control.

“The conditions here are quite challenging because the table is very fast and the ball has a lot of spin. But I am getting more and more used to the conditions with every round, and I am really happy to have reached the quarterfinals,” said DUDA.

Looking ahead to Saturday, he added:

“It’s the quarterfinals of the European Championships, so I will give it everything I have. I won’t make any excuses tomorrow. I’ll go out there and do my best. My goal is to take another step forward, although I know it’s going to be a tough match. I’ll give it my all, and we’ll see what happens.”

Sweden’s Anton KÄLLBERG, the No. 6 seed, continued his impressive campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over Greece’s experienced defender Panagiotis GIONIS (11-6, 11-9, 11-7, 11-1).

The Swedish player, who has yet to suffer a defeat in either Singles or Doubles in Ljubljana, was particularly pleased with his form and physical condition as the tournament approaches its decisive stages.

“Everything has been going great. I’ve played well, I feel fit, and I’ve coped with the demanding schedule very well. I’ve been feeling better and better throughout the tournament, which is always encouraging because the most important match is always the last one you play,” said KÄLLBERG.

Against GIONIS, the Swede’s aggressive approach proved decisive, preventing the Greek defender from establishing his preferred rhythm.

“It was important to keep finding ways to put pressure on GIONIS throughout the rallies. I had to stay aggressive, find opportunities to attack even from difficult positions, and avoid giving him easy ways back into the points once I had gained the advantage. I managed to do that well today, and overall, I think it was a great performance.”

KÄLLBERG had already secured a place in Saturday’s Men’s Doubles final alongside Kristian KARLSSON earlier in the day, following their 3-0 semifinal victory over Moldova’s Vladislav URSU and Andrei PUTUNTICA.

KÄLLBERG also had valuable experience in his corner, with former European champion Michael MAZE guiding him from the bench. The Dane knows GIONIS particularly well, having faced the Greek defender numerous times during his own playing career. GIONIS is even older than MAZE.

“I know him well, but KÄLLBERG was superb today. He did everything right,” said MAZE, praising the Swede’s commanding performance.

The post LEBRUN, FRANZISKA and DUDA advance as unbeaten KÄLLBERG continues impressive run in Ljubljana first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

Friday’s Men’s Singles Round of 16 at the European Championships in Ljubljana produced two major upsets, with France’s Léo DE NODREST eliminating Slovenian home favourite Darko JORGIC and Norway’s Borgar HAUG stunning third seed Truls MOREGARD of Sweden. Both victories came after dramatic battles, while top seed Félix LEBRUN and Germany’s Dang QIU also secured their places in the quarterfinals.

DE NODREST produced one of the biggest surprises of the Championships, overcoming fourth seed JORGIC 4-3 (9-11, 11-5, 12-10, 7-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-9) in front of the Slovenian crowd at Arena Stožice.

The Frenchman held his nerve in a tense deciding game after seeing a 9-5 advantage disappear as JORGIC fought back to level at 9-9.

“I’m incredibly happy. Once again, it went right down to the wire, and it’s difficult to find the words immediately after a victory like this. My emotions are still running very high. All the hard work has paid off. I managed the match well tactically, and I was able to find an extra burst of physical energy when I needed it. I never gave up, even when things became difficult,” said DE NODREST.

The closing stages tested his composure as the experienced Slovenian threatened another comeback.

“I could feel myself becoming tense and wanting to finish the match as quickly as possible. But I managed to regain a clear head and get my thoughts back in order. My serve is a very important weapon for me. I managed to make the right decisions at the crucial moments and didn’t let my nerves take over.”

Asked whether experience had made the difference, DE NODREST offered a different explanation.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say it was experience, because Darko has an enormous amount of experience himself. I would say it was more youthful energy and determination that made the difference. I managed to raise myself to another level in the most important moments.”

DE NODREST will now face Germany’s Benedikt DUDA in the quarterfinals, with a European medal at stake.

“I’ll be facing another former teammate, Benedikt DUDA, with whom I played at the same club last year. Everything is still possible. I’m feeling good, and I’ll stick to the same preparation and the same approach that have worked for me so far.”

The Frenchman also reflected on how previous disappointments have helped him become mentally stronger.

“I’m trying to learn from my mistakes and react differently in difficult situations. That’s how you gain experience. If you keep repeating the same patterns, nothing really changes. I’ve been working on changing certain things mentally, and I can see that it’s paying off.”

Norway’s Borgar HAUG delivered another sensational result, defeating third seed Truls MOREGARD 4-2 (12-10, 11-8, 12-10, 10-12, 10-12, 11-7).

HAUG raced into a 3-0 lead, but MOREGARD fought back to take the next two games and threaten a remarkable recovery. The Norwegian, however, refused to surrender his advantage and completed what he described as the finest performance of his career.

“This was definitely the best match I’ve ever played. Right from the beginning, just like yesterday, I had an incredibly good feeling. I felt I could go for almost anything. My serves were working really well, and my receive was surprisingly good,” said HAUG.

“Truls is probably one of the best players in the world when it comes to serve and receive, but somehow I managed to deal with that and impose my own game. I knew I had to go for my shots, and that’s exactly what I did.”

Even with a commanding lead, HAUG knew the danger posed by the Swedish star.

“Even at 3-0, I still didn’t see myself as the favourite. He’s one of the best players at coming back in matches. He started reading my shots better, made some tactical adjustments and managed to neutralise my game a little. I just had to keep going and stick to what I was doing.”

HAUG will face Sweden’s Anton KALLBERG for a place in the semifinals.

“We’re great friends, so it will definitely be a special match. But I’ll prepare for it just like any other match and try to play my own game.”

Top seed Félix LEBRUN also faced a demanding challenge before overcoming Sweden’s Elias RANEFUR 4-2 (7-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5).

LEBRUN admitted that the encounter was considerably more difficult than their previous meeting in the league two weeks earlier.

“It was a very different match from the one we played two weeks ago in the league. This time, he caused me much more trouble with his serves and the amount of spin he put on the ball in almost every shot. It was really difficult for me. I’m very happy to have won 4-2, because I think the match could have been even closer.”

Germany’s Dang QIU produced an outstanding performance to defeat France’s Simon GAUZY 4-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-7).

QIU controlled much of the contest with his aggressive approach, preventing GAUZY from establishing the long rallies in which the Frenchman excels.

“It was definitely one of the best matches I’ve played so far this season. In terms of aggression, I don’t think I could have played much more aggressively. I’m extremely happy with the result, but above all with my performance,” said QIU.

“Once you get drawn into those long rallies against him, you don’t really stand a chance. I’m certainly not someone who shies away from rallies, but he plays them incredibly well. He moves exceptionally well and is physically one of the fittest players on the tour. That’s why I had to raise my level of aggression enormously.”

QIU explained that his confidence grew as his attacking game continued to produce results.

“If my success rate had been a little different, I might have had to ease off slightly. But today everything worked really well. At some point, you get into a flow, and then you just try to stay in it. That’s exactly what I managed to do.”

The post HAUG and DE NODREST cause major upsets in Ljubljana first appeared on European table tennis union.

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[Milica Nikolic]

The Women’s Singles Round of 16 at the European Championships in Ljubljana delivered a major surprise on Friday as Wales’ Anna HURSEY eliminated defending champion Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria in a dramatic seven-game encounter. Bernadette SZOCS also survived a fierce battle, while Germany’s Ying HAN and Annett KAUFMANN secured an all-German quarterfinal.

HURSEY produced one of the biggest victories of her career, defeating POLCANOVA 4-3 (6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 20-18, 8-11, 10-12, 11-8).

The encounter featured a remarkable fourth game, which HURSEY eventually claimed 20-18. POLCANOVA, who won the European Singles titles in Munich in 2022 and Linz in 2024, fought back to force a deciding game, but the Welsh player held firm to end the Austrian’s title defence.

“It was a really tough match, both mentally and physically. Playing best of seven is demanding, especially when the rallies are so long. She’s a very strong opponent, and we know each other very well because we’ve played doubles together,” said HURSEY.

“I’m very happy to have won. She’s also a very nice person, and it was a good match.”

HURSEY also highlighted the adjustments required to adapt to the playing conditions in Ljubljana.

“It’s really nice to play here. The conditions are quite different from what I’m used to. At WTT events, we play with different balls, so I’ve had to adjust to the tables and balls here. I’m still getting used to them, but things are going well for me.”

Looking ahead, she added:

“I’ll give it everything I have, and hopefully I can produce another good performance.”

Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS was forced to dig deep against Poland’s Natalia BAJOR, recovering twice from difficult positions to prevail 4-3 (13-15, 9-11, 11-8, 11-3, 13-15, 11-3, 11-6).

BAJOR took the opening two games before SZOCS responded to level at 2-2. The Polish player regained the lead by taking the fifth game 15-13, but SZOCS again fought back, dominating the final two games to secure her quarterfinal place.

“In the games I lost, I made some easy mistakes and some very poor decisions. But in the games I won, I felt very comfortable and won by quite a big margin. After going 2-0 down, I managed to come back to 2-2 quite easily,” said SZOCS.

“I wasn’t afraid at all, but somehow I didn’t feel that I had everything under control. I told myself that I had nothing to lose and that I had to keep fighting. I had never lost against her before, so that gave me confidence and helped me stay positive.”

The Romanian explained that the deciding game was won through patience and better tactical decisions.

“I’m proud of myself for coming back from 2-0 and then 3-2 down. In the deciding game, I think I played very intelligently. I made much better decisions and placed the ball extremely well. That was the key to winning, because I think the match was really 50-50 today.”

SZOCS admitted that the disappointment of losing the Women’s Doubles semifinal earlier in the day, alongside Elizabeta SAMARA, had affected her.

“We had played very well until the semifinal, but today we simply didn’t produce our best table tennis. Our opponents played well, of course, but we didn’t perform the way we wanted. I genuinely believed that Elizabeta and I had a chance to become European champions. We have both been European champions in doubles before, and I hoped that our experience could make the difference.”

She also praised the emerging generation of young players and emphasised the importance of mental strength.

“There is a very strong new generation coming through, and I’m really proud to see so many talented young players emerging. At the same time, it puts a lot of pressure on us because it’s never easy to play against them.”

“I’m not particularly happy with the way I played today, but I have to take the positives from this match. You cannot always win easily or play perfectly. What really matters is how you deal with difficult situations. My game wasn’t at its best, but mentally I was very strong.”

Germany’s Ying HAN continued her impressive progress with a commanding 4-0 victory over Slovakia’s Tatiana KUKULKOVA (11-4, 11-9, 11-7, 11-4).

HAN’s defensive game proved too difficult for KUKULKOVA, although the German remained cautious throughout the encounter.

“I actually felt quite confident that I could win this match. She’s a very good player, but I knew that playing against defenders isn’t necessarily one of her strengths,” said HAN.

“Nevertheless, I took the match very seriously because she’s been playing extremely well recently and has had a very good tournament. There were a few important points where she played some excellent shots, and I thought things might become a little more difficult, particularly in the second and third games.”

HAN believes she is gradually finding her best rhythm at Arena Stožice.

“I’m gradually getting used to the hall and the playing conditions, and I’m slowly finding my rhythm. I feel more comfortable now, and I hope I can continue playing like this.”

Her next opponent will be German teammate Annett KAUFMANN, who overcame Luxembourg’s experienced Ni Xia Lian 4-1 (11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 12-10, 11-1).

KAUFMANN had to adjust her tactical approach against the experienced left-hander’s unusual playing style.

“It definitely wasn’t an easy match. I enjoy playing against opponents who use this kind of rubber, but I was really impatient at the beginning. I also have to say that she didn’t play like a typical long-pimple player,” said KAUFMANN.

“But around the middle of the fourth game, I realised that I could simply push a few balls back onto the table and wait for the right opportunity to attack. It took me some time to settle down and remind myself what the game plan actually was.”

KAUFMANN credited her early training against different types of rubber for helping her deal with such opponents.

“I’m really grateful to my first coach, who has been working with me since I was seven years old. He trained me against anti-spin, long pips and short pips, so these kinds of opponents aren’t a problem for me now. He taught me how to understand the game, which allows me to adapt quickly to different situations.”

HAN expects a demanding all-German quarterfinal, with a European medal awaiting the winner.

“I’m looking forward to playing against my teammate. At least one of us will reach the next round and secure a medal. We’ve played each other twice before, and the last time she had some really good chances against me. She’s a real fighter, plays very aggressively and can be extremely dangerous for me.”

The post Defending champion POLCANOVA falls as HURSEY produces stunning victory in Ljubljana first appeared on European table tennis union.

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