On March 4, 2025, the General Assembly of the Romanian Table Tennis Federation (RTTF) convened to elect the RTTF President, Vice-President, and members of the Board of Directors, as well as the members of the Commission of Censors and the President of the Appeal Commission. A total of 75 affiliated members with voting rights participated in the RTTF General Assembly. Cristinel Romanescu was re-elected as president with an overwhelming 72 votes. Elected Members of the RTTF Board of Directors: Additionally, the non-elected members of the Board of Directors include: Cristinel Romanescu’s said: “I sincerely thank all my colleagues who participated in the General Assembly and am deeply grateful for their trust. This re-election is a recognition of my dedication and lifelong involvement in table tennis. We are a highly valuable team, fully committed to this sport, and we will continue to set and achieve our objectives at the highest level. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to:the athletes, who have made me proud so many times, the coaches, for their dedication, professionalism, and guidance in leading athletes to success, the federation staff, for their professionalism, commitment, and hard work, the clubs, for their sacrifices, involvement, and support in achieving excellence, the National Sports Agency and the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee, for their continuous support, Romstal, the official partner of RTTF, all RTTF sponsors, for their essential contributions, the parents and families of our athletes – you are incredibly important, the media, for their coverage and promotion of our sport, everyone who has believed in me, supported me, and contributed to RTTF projects during my previous mandate and all those who love and support Romanian table tennis!” With his re-election, Cristinel ROMANESCU, member of the Executive Committee of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee, continues his leadership, aiming to further develop Romanian table tennis and strengthen its presence on the international stage.
Historic Double for Priego de Córdoba in the 2025 Spanish Cup
Spanish table tennis witnessed a historic moment at Tarragona 2025, as Priego de Córdoba achieved a remarkable double victory, securing both the Copa de la Reina Iberdrola and the Copa del Rey. The women’s team, Museo de la Almendra Francisco Morales, and the men’s team, Real Cajasur Priego TM, claimed the titles in a competition that further cemented their dominance at the national level. The Copa de la Reina Iberdrola final was an intense marathon, lasting over 3 hours and 26 minutes, as Museo de la Almendra Francisco Morales edged out Universidad de Burgos – RM Terán 3-2 in a dramatic encounter. Tatiana GARNOVA played a crucial role, securing both the opening and decisive victories, while Jiaqi MENG added another key point. With this triumph, the team from Priego de Córdoba captured their second Copa de la Reina Iberdrola, following their previous victory in Jaén, overcoming last season’s runner-up finishes in the Copa, Iberdrola League, and Europe Cup. In the Copa del Rey, Real Cajasur Priego TM successfully defended their 2024 championship, securing their tenth title with a 3-1 victory over Leka Enea Irún in the final. Diogo CARVALHO emerged as the standout player, delivering two crucial wins, including the decisive point. Hampus SÖDERLUND also contributed with a key victory, further reinforcing the team’s legacy in Spanish table tennis. Their ten national cup triumphs, spanning from 1998 to 2025, underscore their consistent dominance over the years. In the semifinals, Museo de la Almendra Francisco Morales defeated UCAM Cartagena 3-1, while Universidad de Burgos – RM Terán secured their first-ever final appearance with a 3-1 win over Miró Ganxets Costa Daurada. In the Copa del Rey, Real Cajasur Priego TM booked their spot in the final with a 3-0 win over Arteal TM, while Leka Enea Irún advanced after a 3-1 victory against Santjosep.net – Sant Jordi. The awards ceremony was attended by Mario SOLER, Tarragona’s Sports Councillor; Estefanía SERRANO, Territorial Sports Representative of the Generalitat; Miguel Ángel MACHADO, RFETM President; and Daniel VALERO, RFETM Events Director. With this extraordinary double triumph, Priego de Córdoba has made history, solidifying its place as a powerhouse in Spanish table tennis at the 2025 Spanish Cup.
ETTU and JOOLA Partner to Elevate European Youth Table Tennis
The European Table Tennis Union is thrilled to announce a landmark partnership with JOOLA, which will become the title sponsor of the ETTU Europe Youth Series for the next two years (2025 and 2026). This agreement also includes sponsorship of the ETTU Development Camps, powered by JOOLA, reinforcing a shared commitment to nurturing young talent and strengthening table tennis development across Europe. Through this collaboration, young players will gain greater opportunities to compete and train in Europe, ensuring they have the necessary resources and infrastructure to reach the highest level. As part of the agreement, JOOLA will serve as the exclusive ball sponsor for both the Europe Youth Series and Development Camps and will provide additional material support to enhance the overall experience for participants. A Shared Vision for Youth Development “This partnership with JOOLA is a major step forward for European youth table tennis. By joining forces, we are not only enhancing the competitive landscape for young players but also creating the right conditions for them to develop and thrive. JOOLA’s commitment to our sport aligns perfectly with ETTU’s vision of strengthening the European table tennis ecosystem. Together, we will create more opportunities for the stars of tomorrow. We are delighted that JOOLA has chosen to join ETTU in building the future of European table tennis, capitalizing on the momentum generated by the Olympic Games in Paris,” said ETTU President Pedro MOURA. JOOLA Tischtennis GmbH Managing Director Rade MARKOVIC echoed this enthusiasm: “For us, this partnership brings a dual benefit. It increases our brand visibility across Europe while allowing us to invest in young players and provide them with more opportunities to develop within the European table tennis scene. It goes without saying how challenging it is to send a 13-year-old player to China for training. Through this collaboration with ETTU, we are ensuring that young talents have access to high-quality competitions closer to home.” MARKOVIC also highlighted the resurgence of European table tennis, led by young stars like the LEBRUN brothers and Truls MÖREGÅRD, who have put Europe back on the global table tennis map. “For the first time in a long while, Europe has young players competing at the highest level again. This is a significant step forward, and we want to continue supporting the next generation. Partnering with ETTU is the logical next step in that direction. ETTU has done an excellent job with the Europe Youth Series and Development Camps for years, organizing competitions across the continent and offering valuable playing experiences. This partnership not only enhances our visibility but also allows us to contribute to the sport’s growth.” Strengthening the Sport Across Europe Beyond supporting competitions and training initiatives, the agreement will also provide special conditions for Member Associations looking to purchase table tennis equipment, further strengthening the accessibility and development of the sport across Europe. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for youth table tennis in Europe, underscoring JOOLA and ETTU’s shared vision of fostering the next generation of champions.
