During the European Team Championships Stage 1 in Sarajevo, the European Table Tennis Union held a series of important meetings, bringing together the Executive Board, Committee Chairs, and staff for a productive working week in Bosnia. “For the third year in a row the ETTU Executive Board members, Committee Chairs and professional staff met during the month of January to set common goals and align plans for the year ahead. 2025 will be another challenging year as ETTU is implementing at full speed the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan ratified by their member associations. As the result of all meetings and encounters, motivation from all the structure is at high level and as consequence I feel very positive about ETTU future, ” said ETTU President Pedro MOURA. The primary focus of the Executive Board was on senior event presentations by various member associations. A significant highlight was a Sustainability Presentation by Karine TEOW (ITTF Head of Sustainability), emphasizing the importance of eco-friendly initiatives within the sport. For the first time, the Committee Chairs held an independent meeting before presenting their proposals to the Executive Board the following day. This new structure allowed for a more coordinated approach to committee-led initiatives. ETTU staff also played a important role, presenting new projects, outlining the strategic roadmap for the upcoming events. The Executive Board reviewed the applications received through its Tender on Development and the Europe Youth Series, aiming to expand the ETTU Suppliers Pool and enhance youth table tennis programs across Europe. Additionally, an ETTU Development Plan Update introduced new projects, reinforcing ETTU’s commitment to grassroots development and broader participation. A special initiative was also arranged through ETTU’s Supplier Pool members to support the Ukrainian Table Tennis Federation, providing table tennis tables for their underground halls to help sustain training opportunities. In a move to honour the legends of European table tennis, ETTU will renew its Hall of Fame, ensuring that past champions receive the recognition they deserve. The future of European Club Competitions was also a key discussion point, with a detailed plan set to be prepared for the further development of professional club-level events in Europe. With these important discussions and strategic initiatives, ETTU continues to drive innovation, sustainability, and growth in European table tennis, ensuring a bright future for the sport.
ETTU and Table Tennis England Focus on International Umpire Training
Table Tennis England is actively preparing for its upcoming international events, including the WTT Feeder Manchester and the 2026 World Championships. These top-tier competitions demand a high level of officiating, creating a need for more skilled international umpires. As part of this renewed focus on umpire development, a recent ETTU-supported training course was held in Wolverhampton, England. The theme of the two-day course was “International Umpiring,” aimed at equipping umpires with the skills and experience necessary for officiating at major events. The course was led by ETTU URC Deputy Chair Asko RASINEN (Finland), in collaboration with ETTU URC member Tom PURCELL, who plays a key role in Table Tennis England’s umpire development programs. The training placed a strong emphasis on practical umpiring, covering essential tasks and procedures from the Call Area to the conclusion of a match, including returning equipment and preparing for the next assignment. Participants had the unique opportunity to officiate real matches during the Women’s British Premier League, allowing them to apply their skills in a competitive setting. The trainers closely observed their performances and provided general feedback in a review session the following day. With the increasing professionalization of table tennis and the rise of live streaming, the demands on international umpires have also evolved. Recognizing this, the final session of the training focused on “Presentation and Communication” during matches, as well as the “Management of Matches” to ensure smooth and professional officiating. The participants displayed great enthusiasm and engagement, particularly when the trainers shared their own experiences and valuable “tricks of the trade.” The training format proved to be highly effective, combining theoretical learning with hands-on experience at a live event. This approach not only provided umpires with real-time feedback but also helped them refine their individual skills in a structured and supportive environment. With continued initiatives like this, ETTU and Table Tennis England remain committed to strengthening the quality of international umpiring, ensuring that future tournaments meet the highest officiating standards.
Productive Meeting of Executive Board and Committee Chairs in Sarajevo
On the occasion of the European Teams Championships Stage 1 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, ETTU organized several important meetings. One of the key gatherings was the meeting between the ETTU Executive Board and the Committee Chairs. “This was an excellent opportunity to hear from our Committee Chairs, discuss their ideas and proposals, and have conversations about the future of ETTU. We had various and interesting discussions,” stated ETTU President Pedro MOURA. Following the elections in Linz last October, few new Chairs joined the ETTU team. “It was a mutual opportunity to meet each other. An excellent afternoon of work with the future in mind under the mojo “table tennis first”,” said MOURA. The ETTU President also highlighted some of the key programs discussed during the meetings. “We talked about the improvement of the European rankings and coach education on the continent, which is very important for the future of our young players and the growing of our sport. While all the Chair Committees had the chance to bring new topics to be discussed, we had the chance to welcome the new ETTU Medical and Sport Science Committee, appreciating and even being intrigued with the plans presented.” stated MOURA.
Montenegro’s STK Novi to Host 2024-2025 Europe Trophy Grand Final in Igalo
The ETTU has awarded the club STK Novi from Montenegro for hosting the 2024-2025 Europe Trophy Grand Final, scheduled for 4th to 6th April 2025. The event will take place in Igalo, a coastal town located just beyond the Croatian border. Igalo will host both the Men’s and Women’s events at the Europe Trophy Grand Final. The following men’s teams have qualified from the Regional stage of the Europe Trophy Grand Final: The following women’s teams have earned their place in the Europe Trophy Grand Final:
ETTU Announces Confirmed Players for CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux 2025
The highly anticipated CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux 2025 will be held from February 20 to 23 in Montreux, Switzerland, marking the event’s seventh edition. Last week, European Table Tennis Union released the list of confirmed players for the competition. 2024 Champions Return to Defend Their Titles The winners of the 2024 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup were Jia Nan Yuan (France) and Darko Jorgić (Slovenia). JORGIC achieved a remarkable hat-trick, securing the title for the third consecutive year. YUAN made history as the first Frenchwoman to win the tournament. Bronze medalists in 2024 were Marcos FREITAS (Portugal) and Alexis LEBRUN (France) in the men’s event, while Bernadette SZOCS (Romania) and Nina MITTELHAM (Germany) took third place in the women’s category. ________________________________________ New Format for 2025 The 2025 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup will introduce an innovative new format: • Thursday: Qualification rounds for players ranked 15–21 in the ETTU rankings and one Swiss player. The two winners from the second round will advance to the main draw. • Friday: Round of 16 matches for both men and women. • Saturday: Quarterfinals for both categories. • Sunday: Semifinals and finals for men’s and women’s singles. Additionally, the two-player limit per nation has been removed, ensuring that Europe’s best players have the chance to compete, regardless of nationality. All matches will be played in a “Best of 5” format, and the competition will take place on a single table over four days
On the final day in Sarajevo 12 Teams Secure Spots at the ETC Final in Zadar
On the final day of play at the European Teams Championships Stage 1 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 12 teams secured their place at the European Teams Championships Final, which will take place in Zadar, Croatia, from October 12th to 19th. In the Women’s Team Event, the qualifiers are Netherlands, England, Greece, Belgium, Slovenia, and Bulgaria. In the Men’s Team Event, the qualifiers are Greece, Spain, Netherlands, Moldova, Finland, and Türkiye. The top-seeded teams in the Women’s Event — Netherlands, England, Greece, and Belgium — secured their spots in Zadar during the final duel of the Group Stage, leaving the defeated teams to compete in playoff matches for the two remaining positions. The Netherlands defeated Moldova 3-1, with Shuohan MEN remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament. MEN is one of only three players in the Women’s Event to achieve this status in Sarajevo. England overcame Slovenia 3-2, led by Tin-Tin HO, who also finished Stage 1 undefeated. Greece edged Bulgaria 3-2, with Aikaterini TOLIOU maintaining her perfect record. Belgium defeated Switzerland, ending Swiss star Rachel MORET’s flawless run. MORET suffered her second defeat in the final match against Margo DEGRAEF. In the playoff matches, Slovenia beat Switzerland in straight matches, whilst Bulgaria needed full five matches to overcame Moldova. In Phase 2 of the Men’s Event, the top-seeded team, Greece, secured three consecutive wins. In their final group match, they defeated Türkiye to maintain their flawless record. For the No. 2 seeds, Finland, the outcome was the opposite. They were defeated by Moldova, ranked 19th, in what was the biggest upset of the tournament. Vladislav URSU recorded a perfect 12 wins out of 12 matches, leading Moldova to a remarkable achievement. Seeded No. 3, Spain also secured their place in Zadar. They were led by the event’s highest-ranked player, Alvaro ROBLES, who preserved his unbeaten status, although he participated in only two matches. In their final group match, Spain overcame Lithuania. The clash between No. 4 seeded Norway and No. 5 seeded Netherlands concluded in favor of the lower-ranked team. The result wasn’t entirely expected. The defeat of one of the tournament’s highest-ranked players, Borgar HAUG, in the last match was a surprise. HAUG, who had previously secured nine wins, was defeated by Kas VAN OOST and Gabrielius CAMARA. In the playoff matches, Finland beat Lithuania 3-0, while Türkiye succeeded against Norway by same margin. See the pictures here.
ETTU Awards 2027 European Team Championships to Porto and European Veterans Championships to Riga
The ETTU Executive Board has awarded the 2027 European Team Championships to Portugal’s Table Tennis Association, to be held in Porto, and the 2027 European Veterans Championships to Latvia’s Table Tennis Association, to be held in Riga. Vice Presidents Manuela SIMÕES and António ANTUNES presented the Portuguese bid, which proposes the Porto Super Bock Arena as the venue for the 2027 European Team Championships. Lisbon previously hosted the European Team Championships in 2014, when Portugal’s national team claimed victory, securing its only European Men’s Team title to date. “The ETTU President Pedro MOURA excused himself from the Executive Board process for the presentations of the 2027 European Table Tennis Team Championships as the Table Tennis Federation of Portugal were presenting their bid,” stated ETTU Vice President for Finances Sandra DEATON. “I subsequently took the role of chairing the presentation meeting where we received all the relevant nominations for the event. Following an excellent, professional, and detailed proposal, I am delighted to announce it was unanimously agreed to award the event to the Table Tennis Association of Portugal. The championships will be held in the city of Porto, and the Executive Board have every confidence we will experience a wonderful event.” On behalf of the Portugal’s Table Tennis Association President Fernando MALHEIRO stated:. “The Portuguese Table Tennis Federation, and all stakeholders involved, we extend our sincere gratitude for entrusting us with the honour of hosting the 2027 European Team Championships. This recognition fills us with immense joy and an even greater sense of responsibility to deliver an event that reflects the prestige and excellence of European table tennis. Our bid was driven by a deep commitment to promote table tennis as a unifying sport that fosters healthy competition, mutual respect, and shared values among nations. Hosting this championships in Porto represents a unique opportunity to showcase our strengths: world-class infrastructure at the Super Bock Arena, a strategic location with seamless accessibility, and a rich cultural and sporting heritage. We look forward to welcoming the table tennis community to Porto and ensuring the 2027 European Team Championships will be a milestone in the history of the sport.” The 2027 European Veterans Championships will be held at the Kipsala International Exhibition Centre in Riga. “We are delighted to announce the 2027 European Veterans Championships will be organized in the beautiful city of Riga, Latvia. This is a historical moment for both ETTU and the Latvian Table Tennis Association, as this will be the first European title event to be played in the country. The ETTU Executive Board fully trust to have one of the best European Veterans Championships ever in 2027,” said ETTU President Pedro MOURA. Latvia has a proven track record of successfully hosting international sporting events, including the Ice Hockey World Championship, the European Weightlifting Championships, and numerous youth and regional tournaments. “It is a tremendous honor for Latvia to host the European Veterans Championships 2027, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the best veterans of table tennis to Riga. Latvia’s strength lies in its dedicated and capable team, whose hard work and expertise will ensure a seamless and inspiring event. We are proud to provide a stage where experience and sportsmanship shine, and we look forward to creating a truly memorable event for everyone involved,” stated the Latvian Table Tennis Association President Ina JOZEPSONE.
SKK EL NINO PRAHA Triumphs Over Roskilde
In the Round of 16 of the Europe Cup Men, Czech club SKK EL NINO PRAHA overcame Roskilde Bordtennis in Denmark. All three players from the Czech club posted victories. Tomas KONECNY defeated Jens LUNDQVIST, who also lost to Yevhen PRYSHCHEPA. David REITSPIES beat Dominykas SAMUOLIS, while Tobias RASMUSSEN secured one point for Roskilde in his duel against PRYSHCHEPA. “We had a good start; it was important that I won against LUNDQUIST. Unfortunately, Ievgen then lost a close match. David, playing in the third position, performed excellently and won easily. In the last match, Ievgen was down 2–0, but he found a strategy against their number one and won in the fifth set. We’re happy with the result, but we still have a tough match ahead in Prague, said KONECNY. The return leg is scheduled for 14th February. Roskilde Bordtennis – SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA 1-3
Top Teams Dominate Second Phase of European Teams Championships Stage 1 in Sarajevo
The top teams entered the second phase of the European Teams Championships Stage 1 in Sarajevo. The second group stage produced no upsets in the opening round. In the Women’s Team Event, only teams seeded in positions two and three were on duty in the morning session. The Netherlands, England, Greece, and Belgium will play in round two against the lowest-seeded teams. Moldova beat Latvia 3-0, Slovenia beat Norway 3-2, Bulgaria prevailed against Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0, and Switzerland beat Denmark 3-1. In the Men’s Event, top seeds felt the heat from the beginning of the day, as there are four teams in each of the four groups. Greece and Türkiye successfully completed their tasks by overcoming Iceland and Luxembourg. Matthias Por SANDHOLT of Iceland scored again today, defeating Georgios STAMATOUROS. SANDHOLT has now won three out of six matches at the Championships so far, a commendable record for the Iceland team. In Group 2, Finland and Moldova prevailed against Wales and Bulgaria. In Group 3, Spain and Lithuania overcame Cyprus and Ireland, respectively. In Group 4, Norway prevailed against Scotland, while the Netherlands edged Switzerland. The 3-2 result was expected, as four out of six players from both teams compete in the Dutch league and are familiar with each other’s style. Only the winners from Stage 1 will qualify for the Final Stage in Zadar. The second-placed teams will play additional matches to determine the two remaining spots in the Final Stage.
Belgium Triumphs Over Slovenia in Dramatic Fight for Group D Lead
Great drama and a thrilling turnaround marked the final match of the Women’s Teams Event Phase One at the 2025 European Teams Championships Stage 1 in Sarajevo. Belgium and Slovenia battled fiercely for the top position in Group D, with Belgium ultimately prevailing in a full five-match thriller. Slovenia’s Sara TOKIC and Ana TOFANT started strong, defeating Julie VAN HAUWARET and Lilou MASSART, respectively. However, Margo DEGRAEF turned the tide of the match. “Despite the advantage Slovenia built, we never felt like we were behind. Every match was close and could have gone either way. The Slovenian team surprised us by placing Sara TOKIC as their first player, which didn’t work in our favor. But we knew the team draw worked to our advantage for the second half of the match, and that proved right,” explained VAN HAUWARET. DEGRAEF won a nail-biting five-game match against Katarina STRAZAR, reigniting Belgium’s momentum. Both teams had already secured a place among the top 12 for the next stage, but the match determined who would take the top spot in Group D. “You have to approach every match as if it’s a final. Only that kind of mentality can bring results. We gave everything we had,” said VAN HAUWARET. In addition to Belgium and Slovenia, Latvia also advanced to the next phase, while Cyprus will compete in the 13–17 playoff. The top seeds in the Women’s Teams Event, the Netherlands, faced a tough challenge against Bosnia and Herzegovina but successfully defended their top spot in Group A. Bulgaria finished second, followed by Denmark with two wins. The hosts, Bosnia and Herzegovina, placed fourth and, along with Scotland, will play in the 13–17 playoff. In Group B, England remained undefeated, with Switzerland and Lithuania securing the other two qualifying spots. Greenland will head to the playoff. Greece delivered a powerful performance in Group C, securing their place among the top 12 teams. Moldova, with two wins, and Norway, with one, also advanced. Finland will compete in the playoff. The top 3 teams from each group advanced to the Main Stage (positions 1-12). The remaining teams will compete for positions 13-17. Main Stage (Positions 1-12) 4 groups of 3 teams The group winners qualify directly for the ETC Final Stage. The second-placed teams will play additional matches for the two remaining spots in the Final Stage. Main Stage (Positions 13-17) One group of 5 (Round-robin)
