LI Qian defends European title at the home soil in Warsaw

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With the spectacle of the LIEBHERR 2020 ITTF European Championships getting underway in a less the month, ETTU is pleased to unveil the list of participants for the great Continental gathering in Warsaw, Poland from 22nd to 27th June. All European top stars will be there fighting for five trophies on offer – in men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles.

Both defending champions, Timo BOLL in Men’s and LI Qian in Women’s Singles Event will be on duty. On home soil LI Qian will run for her third medal at the European Championships. Beside gold that she clinched three years ago in Alicante, LI also has won bronze in Singles in 2011.

Host nation will also be represented by the member of the Olympic team for Tokyo, Natalia BAJOR and Natalia PARTYKA.

Defending champion, LI Qian is currently ranked at the position no. 8 in Europe and 34 at the ITTF rankings, whilst the bronze medallists from Alicante Sofia POLCANOVA topping the list of players in Europe. No. 17 in the World, Austria’s top player, suffered by the hands of Margaryta PESOTSKA of Ukraine in Spain three years ago and for sure she is aiming top spot in Warsaw now. In Austria’s jersey will also play the winner from 2005 LIU Jia.

Germany has the strongest list of players. Led by Petrissa SOLJA, currently ranked at the position no. 2 in Europe and 20 in World, Germany will be also represented by no. 3 HAN Ying, no.9 Nina MITTELHAm and no. 10 SHAN Xiaona as well as Sabine WINTER.

On the other side, Romania has showed her worth as a leading nation at continental level and the country’s representatives will prove tough to beat. No. 4 in Europe, Bernadette SZOCS fast on her feet and possessing a warrior-like persona on the table, leads the list. Only two positions lower is European singles champion from 2015 Elizabeta SAMARA. Three further Romanians will compete in the Women’s Singles draw: Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN, Irina CIOBANU and Adina DIACONU.

Two more Olympians, Europe’s no. 5 Britt EERLAND of Netherlands and no. 13 Polina MIKHAILOVA of Russia will also be on duty in Poland.

Past finalists

Women’s Singles