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The unlikely hero of 1980 European Table Tennis Championships – John Hilton
Table tennis history has seen some truly inspiring stories, when the relatively unknown “dark horses” show up big at the highest level tournaments, such as European & World Championships. You don’t need to dig deep to find an example. Remember the 2019 World Table Tennis Championships in Budapest? Who would have thought that the 20-year old An Jae-hyun will make it to the semi-finals and win the bronze medal?
The story of the Englishman John Hilton is even more exciting. At the age of 32, he caught his moment of glory in Bern, Switzerland. Hilton was a late bloomer, joining the national team at the age of 29. Few years later, he enjoyed the first success, winning the silver medal at the 1978 European Championships in team event. Hilton was far from being leader of that squad, so there were no high expectations for him in the 1980 ETTC.
Many consider the fact that Hilton used two same color rubbers (anti-spin & smooth) as one of the main factors, why Hilton became the European champion. However, this is more of a myth and attempt to diminish his accomplishment rather than a serious argument. Yes, there were changes in rules three years later that now forbid to use same color rubbers, but Hilton was not the only one to play in that kind of style.
Let’s look at his journey to the European gold. In the Round of 16, Hilton gets past the 1979 World Champion, Hungarian Tibor Kreisz 3-1. In the 1/4 final, the Englishman went against another Hungarian – European & World Champion Gabor Gergely, who was World ranked 5th at the time. A hard fought 3-2 victory that led to semi-final match up against Jacques Secretin. 3-1 for Hilton and the decisive game was played against the Czechoslovakian Josef DvoraÄek. The Englishman gave no chance to his opponent and got a solid 3-0 & became the first (and to this day only) English player to win the European Championships gold medal in singles event.
Can a racket give such an incredible boost? Surely not. It may haven given slight advantage, as well as the underdog status, but Hilton’s skillset was the primary reason he won the title. Equipment does not play by itself.
Win at the European Championships gave Hilton a chance to become a professional player at the late stage of his career. He soon joined the German Bundesliga side ATSV SaarbrĂźcken and won the ETTU Cup in 1982 together with Dragutin Ĺ urbek and Peter Engel.
With the 2020 European Championships approaching, who knows – maybe we will see another unexpected champion in Warsaw?
HILTON’S ROAD TO EUROPEAN GOLD IN 1980
ROUND OF 16
John Hilton 
3-1 vs.
Tibor Kreisz (18-21, 21-13, 21-18, 21-18)
1/4 FINAL John Hilton
3-2 vs. Gabor Gergely (18-21, 18-21, 21-19, 21-16, 21-19)
1/2 FINAL John Hilton
3-1 vs.
Jacques Secretin (21-12, 21-14, 16-21, 21-13)
FINAL John Hilton 
3-0 vs.
Josef DvoraÄek (21-17, 22-20, 21-14)Donât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
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Strong performance by Brodd leads SĂśderhamns UIF to the Swedish title
The 2020/21 season of Swedish Pingisligan was full of surprising and exciting matches. Regular season was very successful for the Spürvägens BTK team, since they lost only once and finished the season in the first place. When the play-offs time was on the way, situation started to change.
The previous season’s champions EslĂśvâs AI had a disappointing semi-finals match up against the Halmstad BTK. Truls MĂśregĂĽrdh and Nandor Ecseki could not lead the club to another final, as they lost both semi-final games – 3-4 and 2-4. In the other semi-final, the SpĂĽrvägens BTK team was placed against the SĂśderhamns UIF team that finished the season in the fourth spot. However, SpĂĽrvägens could not live up with their favorite status. Led by the experienced Swede Viktor Brodd, SĂśderhamns showed up strong and relatively easily (4-0, 4-2) advanced to the final.
Finals proved to be way more tough for both sides than the semi-finals. Halmstad won the first game 4-2, mainly thanks to a two wins by Elias Ranefur, who lost only once in the play-off journey. The second game was even more close, but this time SĂśderhamns had the final say. Game saw several lead changes and the doubles match was the decisive one. Anders Eriksson and Viktor Brodd won 2-0 and took the finals to the third – decisive game.
Brodd and Ranefur showed up big once again, winning both of their games. Nevertheless, Brodd’s teammates showed a more stable performance and SĂśderhamns ended the season with a 4-2 win. It is the sixth Swedish Pingisligan title in the club’s history. And what a journey it was for Viktor Brodd! It was his sixth Pingisligan finals appearance in his career and the previous 5 finals were unsuccessful. This year, Brodd finally earned his first and long awaited title. He definitely can be called the 2020/21 season’s Most Valuable Player, winning 23 games and losing only 5 in the regular season, and winning 6 and losing three in the play-off run.
2020/21 SWEDISH PINGISLIGAN SEASON RESULTS
FINAL
2 – 4 – 4 –
SĂśderhamns UIF
4 – 3 – 2 – Halmstad BTK 
Game 1 Anders Eriksson – Fabian Ă
kerstrĂśm 3-1 (8-11, 11-9, 11-10, 11-5) Viktor Brodd – Simon Arvidsson 0-3 (4-11, 9-11, 8-11) Jonathan Mcdonald – Elias Ranefur 0-3 (4-11, 9-11, 5-11) Viktor Brodd – Fabian Ă
kerstrĂśm 1-3 (8-11, 7-11, 11-8, 9-11) Jonathan Mcdonald – Simon Arvidsson 3-1 (11-10, 7-11, 11-2, 11-8) Anders Eriksson – Elias Ranefur 2-3 (4-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9, 5-11)
Game 2 Jonathan Mcdonald – Elias Ranefur 0-3 (9-11, 6-11, 7-11) Viktor Brodd – Simon Arvidsson 3-2 (11-5, 10-11, 10-11, 11-6, 11-7) Anders Eriksson – Fabian Ă
kerstrĂśm 2-3 (6-11, 7-11, 11-2, 11-5, 4-11) Jonathan Mcdonald – Simon Arvidsson 3-1 (11-3, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8) Viktor Brodd – Fabian Ă
kerstrĂśm 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-5) Anders Eriksson – Elias Ranefur 0-3 (9-11, 7-11, 10-11) Anders Eriksson/Viktor Brodd – Simon Arvidsson/Elias Ranefur 2-0 (11-8, 11-7)
Game 3 Anders Eriksson – Elias Ranefur 2-3 (7-11, 8-11, 11-10, 11-10, 9-11) Jonathan Mcdonald – 
Borgar Haug 3-1 (8-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6) Viktor Brodd – Fabian Ă
kerstrĂśm 3-0 (11-10, 11-3, 11-6) Jonathan Mcdonald – Elias Ranefur 1-3 (9-11, 9-11, 11-6, 8-11) Viktor Brodd – Simon Arvidsson 3-1 (11-7, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8) Anders Eriksson – Fabian Ă
kerstrĂśm 3-1 (11-8, 11-6, 3-11, 11-7)Donât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
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TTC Wiener Neustadt enjoys the glory in the Austrian Bundesliga
Already before the final, it was clear that there will be a new champion in the Austrian Bundesliga. During the regular season, TTC Wiener Neustadt had a better success in the head-to-head games, winning 4-0 and having a 3-3 draw. The final proved to be a continuation of this successful performances against UTTC Salzburg.
The final match started began with a 3-1 win of Salzburg’s 21-year old Japanese Koyo Kanamitsu over the German Felix Wetzel. Japanese overall looked like the only chance for Salzburg to hope for a win in this match up. In the following games, he got another 3-1 win – this time against the experienced Czech Tomas KoneÄny. However, these were the only moments when Salzburg players could cheer.
All the other games proved to be a success for Wiener Neustadt and it was a great compensation for the recent nerve-wracking 1/4 finals loss in the 2020/21 ETTU Cup, where Austrian club loss to the Italian Top Spin Messina 0-3. However, all three games ended with a five set battle. Austrians were just a step away from the medals. Nevertheless, Tomas KoneÄny, Andy Pereira and Felix Wetzel earned the first Bundesliga title for Wiener Neustadt. A moment to remember for the club that was playing in the Austrian 2.Bundesliga four seasons ago.
2020/21 AUSTRIAN BUNDESLIGA FINAL
4 –
TTC Wiener Neustadt
2 – UTTC Salzburg 
Felix Wetzel – 
Koyo Kanamitsu 1-3 Tomas KoneÄny – 
Francisco Sanchi 3-0
Andy Pereira – Carlo Rossi 3-0 Tomas KoneÄny/Andy Pereira – Koyo Kanamitsu/Carlo Rossi 3-2 Tomas KoneÄny – Koyo Kanamitsu 1-3 Felix Wetzel – Francisco Sanchi 3-1Donât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
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Ĺ˝eimys – the absolute champion of 2021 Lithuanian Table Tennis Championships
From 7-9 May, 2021, the championship was held in the town of Rietavas. On the way to the final, the eventual champion Kestutis Ĺ˝eimys in the 1/4 finals overcame the number one seed of the tournament Alfredas Udra, who is a 5-time Lithuanian champion, and twice has been the absolute champion. His opponent in the finals, 29-year old Matas Vilkas (Nr. 2 seed of the tournament) won Rimas Lesiv in the 1/4 finals and Agnius KaÄerauskas in the semi-finals. In the final, Ĺ˝eimys got a comfortable 4-1 win and secured the second Lithuanian singles title in his career, previously winning it in 2010.
The experienced Lithuanian, who plays for the German club TTSF Hohberg also enjoyed a great success in the doubles and mixed doubles events. In doubles, together with Ignas Navickas, they won the gold medal in a tough 3-2 match up against Matas Vilkas & Matas SkuÄas. Journey towards the gold medal in the mixed doubles event was less nerve-wracking and Ĺ˝eimys together with Vitalija Venckute got a 3-0 win in the final game against Valdas Martinkus and Lina Martinke.
2021 LITHUANIAN NTTC MEDALISTS & RESULTSSINGLES
Kestutis Žeimys Matas Vilkas
Agnius KaÄerauskas Valdas Martinkus
DOUBLES Kestutis Ĺ˝eimys/Ignas Navickas Matas Vilkas/Matas SkuÄas Valdas Martinkus/Paulius GĹŤra Arnoldas Domeika/Tonetas Domeika
MIXED DOUBLES Kestutis Ĺ˝eimys/Vitalija Venckute Valdas Martinkus/Lina Martinke Matas Vilkas/Kornelija RiliĹĄkyte Ignas Navickas/Laura AbaraviÄiĹŤteDonât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
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Moment of glory for Zhou Qihao at the Chinese WTT Trials
Group stage brought some surprises and play-off stage of Chinese WTT Trials did not disappoint as well. 24-year old Zhou Qihao enjoyed a great form in this tournament and on his way to the title won three TOP 10 players in the World.
In 1/4 finals, he got a 4-2 win against Liang Jingkun. In the semi-finals, Qihao had even tougher opponent to overcome – current World Champion Ma Long. Game was very intense and everything was decided in the final, seventh set. Ma Long had a comfortable 8-4 lead and it seemed that the outcome is already decided, but then the comeback started. Zhou Qihao won seven points in a row and got a 4-3 win over The Dragon.
His opponent in the final, Fan Zhendong had to overcome young sensation Lin Shidong, who is also nicknamed the “Little Fan Zhendong” in the 1/4 finals, and Wang Chuqin in the semi-finals.
The final game was close and Fan Zhendong had a 2-1 lead. However, Qihao made another comeback. Less impressive than against Ma Long, but more valuable in terms of the importance. 4-2 and he took the trophy of this tournament. It might be not the most important tournament, but it shows that the competition in the China national team is really intense. This win might give some extra opportunities for Zhou Qihao on the international stage in the nearest future.
CHINESE WTT TRIALS PLAY-OFFS
1/4 FINALS
Fan Zhendong
4-2 vs. Lin Shidong (11-13, 11-5, 11-9, 4-11, 11-5, 11-6) Wang Chuqin
4-1 vs. Xu Chenhao (11-6, 12-14, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6) Zhou Qihao
4-2 vs. Liang Jungkun (11-5, 11-6, 11-6, 4-11, 9-11, 11-4) Ma Long
4-1 vs. Fang Bo (11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7)1/2 FINALS
Fan Zhendong
4-2 vs. Wang Chuqin (11-7, 11-6, 5-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8) Zhou Qihao
4-3 vs. Ma Long (11-5, 13-11, 9-11, 8-11, 14-12, 4-11, 11-8)BRONZE MEDAL MATCH
Ma Long
3-1 vs. Wang Chuqin (11-1, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9)FINAL
Zhou Qihao
4-2 vs. Fan Zhendong (11-4, 8-11, 3-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-9)Donât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
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Chinese WTT Trials brought surprising results
The biggest surprise of this tournament so far has been the 3-2 win of the 16-year old Lin Shidong over the current World Ranking vice-leader Xu Xin. Talented Shidong, who is nicknamed as the Little Fan Zhendong, managed to advance to the play-off stage, where he, ironically, had to meet Fan Zhendong.
In other groups, Liu Dingshuo got a 3-2 win over Wang Chuqin. However, this loss did not mess up the situation for Chuqin, who eventually advanced to the 1/4 finals. Fang Bo lost to the 19-year old Sun Zheng, but in the decisive match he won Lin Gaoyuan to secure a place in the next round.
CHINESE WTT TRIALS
GROUP A
# Player 1 2 3 4 Points Place 1 Fan Zhendong3-0 3-0 3-0 6 1 2 Ma Te0-3 3-0 1-3 4 3 3 Quan Kaiyuan0-3 0-3 0-3 3 4 4 Zheng Peifeng0-3 3-1 3-0 5 2 GROUP A GAMES
Fan Zhendong – Quan Kaiyuan 3-0 (11-7, 11-3, 11-6) Ma Te – Zheng Peifeng 1-3 (11-8, 4-11, 5-11, 6-11) Fan Zhendong – Zheng Peifeng 3-0 (11-3, 15-13, 11-4) Ma Te – Quan Kaiyuan 3-0 (12-10, 11-6, 11-5) Fan Zhendong – Ma Te 3-0 (11-9, 11-7, 11-6) Quan Kaiyuan – Zheng Peifeng 0-3 (6-11, 7-11, 8-11)GROUP B
# Player 1 2 3 4 Points Place 1 Xu Xin3-1 3-2 2-3 5 2 2 Yan An1-3 3-1 0-3 4 3 3 Niu Guankai2-3 1-3 3-1 4 4 4 Lin Shidong3-2 3-0 1-3 5 1 GROUP B GAMES
Xu Xin – Niu Guankai 3-2 (11-8, 11-6, 10-12, 9-11, 11-6) Yan An – Lin Shidong 0-3 (11-3, 11-3, 13-11) Xu Xin – Lin Shidong 2-3 (11-8, 11-13, 10-12, 11-6, 9-11) Yan An – Niu Guankai 3-1 (11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 13-11) Xu Xin – Yan An 3-1 (11-1, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8) Niu Guankai – Lin Shidong 3-1 (6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6)GROUP C
# Player 1 2 3 4 5 Points Place 1 Ma Long3-2 3-0 3-1 3-0 8 1 2 Zhou Yu2-3 3-1 3-0 3-1 7 2 3 Xiang Peng0-3 1-3 3-2 3-1 6 3 4 Xue Fei1-3 0-3 2-3 3-0 5 4 5 Hou Yingchao0-3 1-3 1-3 0-3 4 5 GROUP C GAMES
Zhou Yu – Hou Yingchao 3-1 (5-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-8) Xiang Peng – Xue Fei 3-2 (11-5, 13-15, 11-7, 16-18, 12-10) Ma Long – Hou Yingchao 3-0 (11-3, 11-2, 11-4) Zhou Yu – Xiang Peng 3-1 (11-5, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6) Ma Long – Xue Fei 3-1 (13-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-4) Xiang Peng – Hou Yingchao 3-1 (13-15, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7) Ma Long – Xiang Peng 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 11-5) Zhou Yu – Xue Fei 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-8) Ma Long – Zhou Yu 3-2 (7-11, 8-11, 16-14, 11-7, 11-4) Xue Fei – Hou Yingchao 3-0 (11-6, 12-10, 11-7)GROUP D
# Player 1 2 3 4 5 Points Place 1 Lin Gaoyuan0-3 3-1 3-0 3-0 7 2 2 Fang Bo3-0 3-2 3-0 2-3 7 1 3 Xu Haidong1-3 2-3 3-2 3-1 6 3 4 Wang Bo0-3 0-3 2-3 3-0 5 4 5 Sun Zheng0-3 3-2 1-3 0-3 5 5 GROUP D GAMES
Fang Bo – Sun Zheng 2-3 (5-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-6, 8-11) Xu Haidong – Wang Bo 3-2 (11-9, 8-11, 5-11, 12-10, 13-11) Lin Gaoyuan – Sun Zheng 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-6) Fang Bo – Xu Haidong 3-2 (8-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-5) Lin Gaoyuan – Wang Bo 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-5) Xu Haidong – Sun Zheng 3-1 (11-3, 10-12, 11-6, 11-7) Lin Gaoyuan – Xu Haidong 3-1 (11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-6) Fang Bo – Wang Bo 3-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-8) Lin Gaoyuan – Fang Bo 0-3 (6-11, 12-14, 9-11) Wang Bo – Sun Zheng 3-0 (11-7, 11-5, 11-9)GROUP E
# Player 1 2 3 4 Points Place 1 Liang Jingkun3-2 3-1 3-0 6 1 2 Yuan Licen2-3 2-3 3-1 4 3 3 Xu Yingbin1-3 3-2 3-1 5 2 4 Zeng Beixun0-3 1-3 1-3 3 4 GROUP E GAMES
Liang Jingkun – Xu Yingbin 3-1 (11-5, 10-12, 11-7, 12-10) Yuan Licen – Zeng Beixun 3-1 (4-11, 11-7, 11-6, 12-10) Liang Jingkun – Zeng Beixun 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 11-6) Yuan Licen – Xu Yingbin 2-3 (11-9, 7-11, 7-11, 11-8, 4-11) Liang Jingkun – Yuan Licen 3-2 (9-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9) Xu Yingbin – Zeng Beixun 3-1 (12-10, 4-11, 11-6, 11-9)GROUP F
# Player 1 2 3 4 Points Place 1 Wang Chuqin2-3 3-0 3-0 5 1 2 Liu Dingshuo3-2 3-1 1-3 5 2 3 Sai Linwei0-3 1-3 1-3 3 4 4 Zhou Kai0-3 3-1 3-1 5 3 GROUP F GAMES
Wang Chuqin – Sai Linwei 3-0 (11-3, 13-11, 11-7) Liu Dingshuo – Zhou Kai 1-3 (11-9, 5-11, 6-11, 5-11) Wang Chuqin – Zhou Kai 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-7) Liu Dingshuo – Sai Linwei 3-1 (4-11, 11-1, 11-8, 11-8) Wang Chuqin – Liu Dingshuo 2-3 (5-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8, 8-11) Sai Linwei – Zhou Kai 1-3 (11-9, 1-11, 11-13, 10-12)GROUP G
# Player 1 2 3 4 5 Points Place 1 Xu Chenhao3-1 3-1 3-1 3-0 8 1 2 Liang Yanning1-3 3-0 3-2 3-0 7 2 3 Wang Linkun1-3 0-3 1-3 1-3 4 5 4 Yan Sheng1-3 2-3 3-1 2-3 5 4 5 Huang Youzheng0-3 0-3 3-1 3-2 6 3 GROUP G GAMES
Liang Yanning – Huang Youzheng 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-7) Wang Linkun – Yan Sheng 1-3 (11-13, 7-11, 11-9, 10-12) Xu Chenhao – Huang Youzheng 3-0 (11-8, 14-12, 11-9) Liang Yanning – Wang Linkun 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 13-11) Xu Chenhao – Yan Sheng 3-1 (11-5, 11-7, 8-11, 11-7) Wang Linkun – Huang Youzheng 1-3 (7-11, 11-7, 7-11, 5-11) Xu Chenhao – Wang Linkun 3-1 (10-12, 15-13, 11-9, 11-6) Liang Yanning – Yan Sheng 3-2 (11-8, 12-14, 10-12, 11-7, 14-12) Xu Chenhao – Liang Yanning 3-1 (11-9, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9) Yan Sheng – Huang Youzheng 2-3 (6-11, 11-3, 11-8, 6-11, 8-11)GROUP H
# Player 1 2 3 4 5 Points Place 1 Zhou Qihao3-1 3-2 3-0 3-0 8 1 2 Sun Wen1-3 3-1 2-3 3-1 6 3 3 Yu Ziyang2-3 1-3 3-2 2-3 5 5 4 Zhang Yudong0-3 3-2 2-3 3-1 6 2 5 Chen Yuanyu0-3 1-3 3-2 1-3 5 4 GROUP H GAMES
Sun Wen – Chen Yuanyu 3-1 (7-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7) Yu Ziyang – Zhang Yudong 3-2 (5-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6) Zhou Qihao – Chen Yuanyu 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-5) Sun Wen – Yu Ziyang 3-1 (12-10, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8) Zhou Qihao – Zhang Yudong 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-9) Yu Ziyang – Chen Yuanyu 2-3 (9-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5, 10-12) Zhou Qihao – Yu Ziyang 3-2 (9-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-13, 11-6) Sun Wen – Zhang Yudong 2-3 (11-8, 11-4, 8-11, 10-12, 9-11) Zhou Qihao – Sun Wen 3-1 (11-9, 5-11, 12-10, 11-4) Zhang Yudong – Chen Yuanyu 3-1 (11-9, 11-5, 6-11, 12-10)Donât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
Chen Yuanyu, Chinese WTT Trials, Fan Zhendong, Fang Bo, Hou Yingchao, Huang Youzheng, Liang Jingkun, Liang Yanning, Lin Gaoyuan, Lin Shidong, Ling Dingshuo, Ma Long, Ma Te, Niu Guankai, Quan Kaiyuan, Sun Wen, Sun Zheng, Wang Chuqin, Wang Linkun, Xiang Peng, Xu Chenhao, Xu Haidong, Xu Xin, Xu Yingbin, Xue Fei, Yan An, Yan Sheng, Yu Ziyang, Yuan Licen, Zeng Beixun, Zhang Yudong, Zheng Peifeng, Zhou Qihao, Zhou Yu -
Wiener Neustadt & Salzburg will meet in the Austrian Bundesliga 2021 Finals
There will be a new champion in the Austrian Bundesliga. The UTTC Stockerau team that won the previous two Austrian titles was knocked out in the semi-finals stage by the TTC Wiener Neustadt, led by the 35-year old Czech player Tomas KoneÄny. The experienced Czech has won 4 out of 4 games in the play-off stage and his team will join the Austrian Bundesliga finals. This is a great run for a team that was playing in the 2.Bundesliga just four seasons ago.
Wiener Neustadt will be joined by the UTTC Salzburg club that was knocked out in the 1/4 finals in the previous season. They overcame the SPG Walter Wels team that had players, like Andreas Levenko and Adam Szudi in their squad. However, the overall team performance of the Salzburg club was more consistent and the first game already gave a great confidence boost with a confident 4-1 win. Second meeting started with a Walter Wels 2-0 advantage, but Salzburg players managed to turn the situation around and get a 3-3 draw that secured their place in the final.
The final game between the TTC Wiener Neustadt and UTTC Salzburg will be played on 20 May. Both teams look sharp and it is hard to predict, which one will take the Austrian crown. During the regular season, Wiener Neustadt had a better performance in the head-to-head games, winning 4-0 and having a 3-3 draw. However, final is something different and the level of pressure can play good & bad effect for the both sides.
AUSTRIAN BUNDESLIGA SEMI-FINALS
1 – 3 –
SPG Walter Wels
4 – 3 – UTTC Salzburg
Game 1 Koyo Kanamitsu – 
Frane Kojic 3-1 (11-4, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8)
Francisco Sanchi – Andreas Levenko 0-3 (11-2, 11-6, 13-11) Carlo Rossi – Adam Szudi 3-0 (9-11, 3-11, 6-11) Koyo Kanamitsu/Carlo Rossi – Frane Kojic/Adam Szudi 3-1 (11-8, 4-11, 11-8, 13-11)
Game 2 Francisco Sanchi – Andreas Levenko 0-3 Koyo Kanamitsu – Frane Kojic 1-3 Carlo Rossi – Adam Szudi 3-0 Koyo Kanamitsu/Carlo Rossi – Frane Kojic/Adam Szudi 0-3 Koyo Kanamitsu – Andreas Levenko 3-1 Francisco Sanchi – Frane Kojic 3-02 – 1 –
UTTC Stockerau
4 – 4 – TTC Wiener Neustadt
Game 1 Maciej Kolodziejczyk – Andy Pereira 3-1 (11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6) Alexander Chen – Tomas KoneÄny 0-3 (10-12, 8-11, 2-11)
Oleksandr Didukh – Felix Wetzel 3-1 (11-6, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8) Maciej Kolodziejczyk/Oleksandr Didukh – Tomas KoneÄny/Felix Wetzel 2-3 (11-8, 11-4, 7-11, 2-11, 7-11) Maciej Kolodziejczyk – Tomas KoneÄny 1-3 (7-11, 6-11, 11-9, 4-11) Alexander Chen – Andy Pereira 2-3 (11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 10-12, 8-11)
Game 2 Oleksandr Didukh – Tomas KoneÄny 2-3 (12-10, 2-11, 11-6, 9-11, 7-11) Alexander Chen – Andy Pereira 0-3 (11-13, 9-11, 8-11) Maciej Kolodziejczyk – Felix Wetzel 3-1 (6-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-9) Maciej Kolodziejczyk/Oleksandr Didukh – Tomas KoneÄny/Felix Wetzel 1-3 (11-7, 7-11, 10-12, 3-11) Alexander Chen – Tomas KoneÄny 0-3 (8-11, 5-11, 10-12)Donât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
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Olympic veterans and debutants earn their tickets to Tokyo
Tournament in Guimaraes turned out to be a very intense one. Stakes were high and there were plenty of surprises. Spanish veteran Jesus Cantero won the Ovidiu Ionescu 4-1 in the group stage. Polish talent Samuel Kulczycky got a 4-0 win against Lubomir Pistej, who is 300 places above the young player in the World Rankings. 20-year old Vladislav Ursu from Moldova won the experienced Belarussian Pavel Platonov 4-3.
Among the players, who earned their tickets to Tokyo, the most experienced one is the 41-year old Greek defender Panagiotis Gionis. Olympic Games in Tokyo will be the fifth for the Greek legend. For 34-year old Kou Lei from Ukraine it will be the third Olympic experience in his career. Previously, he played in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Romanian Ovidiu Ionescu, who had a 7-game long journey in this qualifying tournament, will play in his second Olympics.
For other players, this was a chance to live through a historic moments in their journey. For the 30-year old Alvaro Robles and 28-year old Pavel Ĺ iruÄek Tokyo Olympics will be the first in their careers. Robles has enjoyed the success in the World Championships, but the Olympic dream was never reached before. In the decisive game, Spaniard won the Russian hope Vladimir Sidorenko 4-3. SiruÄek was the one, who took the final, 5th ticket to Tokyo, earning it with a 4-2 win over Paul Drinkhall in the decisive match.
QUALIFIED PLAYERS & THEIR PATH TO TOKYO
Alvaro Robles
3-4 vs.
Aleksandr Khanin (11-3, 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 7-11, 6-11, 9-11)
4-0 vs.
Ioannis Sgouroupoulos (15-13, 11-6, 13-11, 11-4)
4-0 vs.
Olegs Kartuzovs (11-5, 11-7, 11-5, 11-3)
4-1 vs. Yevhen Pryshchepa (11-7, 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 11-7)
4-3 vs. Panagiotis Gionis (2-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 11-6)
4-1 vs. Paul Drinkhall (11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 11-5)
4-3 vs.
Vladimir Sidorenko (9-11, 12-10, 14-12, 8-11, 9-11, 11-3, 17-15) Kou Lei
4-0 vs.
Cedric Nuytinck (14-12, 11-8, 11-8, 14-12)
4-0 vs.
Samuel Kulczycki (11-9, 11-5, 11-5, 15-13)
4-2 vs.
Rares Sipos (11-9, 11-7, 11-8, 4-11, 5-11, 11-6) Panagiotis Gionis
3-4 vs. Alvaro Robles (11-2, 9-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 10-12, 6-11)
4-3 vs.
Lubomir Pistej (9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-3, 11-13, 11-4)
4-0 vs. Rares Sipos (11-6, 11-8, 12-10, 11-5)
4-1 vs. Pavel Ĺ iruÄek (6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7) Ovidiu Ionescu
1-4 vs. Jesus Cantero (7-11, 10-12, 12-10, 11-9, 11-5)
3-4 vs. Mihai Bobocica (11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 9-11, 6-11)
4-0 vs.
Tal Israeli (11-9, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8)
3-4 vs. Lubomir Pistej (8-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-4, 6-11, 8-11, 8-11)
4-1 vs. Vladimir Sidorenko (11-8, 13-11, 6-11, 12-10, 11-7)
4-3 vs. Daniel Habesohn (3-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-8, 9-11, 11-1, 11-7)
4-1 vs. Paul Drinkhall (11-3, 11-6, 11-5, 10-12, 11-8) Pavel Ĺ iruÄek
4-1 vs.
Eric Glod (15-13, 11-5, 11-6, 6-11, 12-10)
1-4 vs. Vladimir Sidorenko (11-6, 9-11, 6-11, 3-11, 9-11)
4-1 vs. Cedric Nuytinck (11-7, 11-9, 12-10, 7-11, 11-7)
4-2 vs. Mihai Bobocica (11-7, 11-5, 7-11, 8-11, 11-5, 12-10)
1-4 vs. Panagiotis Gionis (11-6, 10-12, 8-11, 4-11, 7-11)
4-2 vs. Paul Drinkhall (11-3, 11-3, 6-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7)Donât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
Aleksandr Khanin, Alvaro Robles, Cedric Nuytinck, Daniel Habesohn, Eric Glod, Ioannis Sgouropoulos, Jesus Cantero, Kou Lei, Lubomir Pistej, Mihai Bobocica, Olegs Kartuzovs, Ovidiu Ionescu, Panagiotis Gionis, Paul Drinkhall, Pavel Ĺ iruÄek, Rares Sipos, Samuel Kulczycki, Tal Israeli, Vladimir Sidorenko, Yevhen Pryshchepa -
Skachkov takes the crown at the 2021 Russian National Table Tennis Championships
This year’s championship brought some exciting games and surprising results. Three of four semi-finalists reached this stage for the first time in their careers. Only the eventual champion Kirill Skachkov had such experience before.
19-year old Maksim Grebnev made it to the finals for the first time. However, he already had successful finals experience in the doubles event, where he won the gold medal with Lev Katsman. They both met in the 1/4 finals stage and reigning champion Katsman lost to his doubles partner in a hard-fought game 3-4.
In the semi-finals Skachkov had to get past the 22-year old Nikita Artemenko, who also became one of the surprises of this tournament. The more experienced Skachkov won 4-1 and advanced to the final. But it was still a great tournament for Artemenko, as he won his two first bronze medals in this tournament, adding a doubles bronze to his singles accolade.
The final match was a historic moment for both – Skachkov and Grebnev. For both of them, it was a chance to win their first Russian title in singles event. In the end, experience took it over. Skachkov won 4-2 and enjoyed another memorable moment this year. Last month, he earned his spot in the Tokyo Olympics.
Outside the medal winners, one of the biggest surprises was the performance of the 50-year old table tennis veteran Dmitriy Bobrov, who won two higher ranked players in the group stage made and reached the round of 32, where he lost to Alexei Liventsov.
2021 RUSSIAN NATIONAL TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS MEDALISTS
SINGLES
Kirill Skachkov Maksim Grebnev Nikita Artemenko Andrei BaibuldinDOUBLES
Lev Katsman/Maksim Grebnev Alexei Liventsov/Mikhail Paikov Kirill Skachkov/Nikita Artemenko Sadi Ismailov/Denis IvoninMIXED DOUBLES
Alexei Liventsov/Yulia Prokhorova Vildan Gadiev/Valeria Kocyur Kirill Skachkov/Olga Vorobyeva Andrei Baibuldin/Anna RyazanovaDonât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
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From Amateur King to Chinese Super League. The journey of Zhu Yi
Chinese table tennis player Zhu Yi has seen a lot of contrasts in his career. He was one of the millions of Chinese kids who dreamed about the opportunity to represent his country on the international stage. Despite his heavy stature, Yi proved to be a relatively talented young man. At the early stages of his table tennis journey, he was training with such well-known names, as Xu Xin.
Unfortunately, Yi did not make it to the national team and he had to return to regular life. However, this did not weaken his passion for table tennis and Yi continued to play on the Chinese amateur level, where he soon became a household name. While table tennis fans outside China may not know him, Zhu Yi is a well-known name in Chinese table tennis. You don’t get a saying: “The one who wins Zhu Yi, wins the World” – just like that.
In 2018, he got under the national spotlight, when in the Hainan Challenge tournament, where 5 Chinese amateur players got a chance to play against the European table tennis stars. Yi was selected to play against Dimitrij Ovtcharov in a handicap game. Every set started with a 3-0 lead to Yi. Ovtcharov was a World Ranking leader at that time and… He lost 2-3 to Zhu Yi. Of course, this was a handicap game and it had no special significance, but the fact remains a fact – Yi showed that he is a high-level athlete.
Despite being a famous player on the amateur scene, Zhu Yi sees himself as more like a retired professional athlete because, in the early days, he went through professional training and simply did not make the cut to join the national team. And this is a fair statement, considering the incredibly high competitive level in Chinese table tennis, where you have to be superb to stick around the national team.
Nevertheless, Yi still got a chance to see himself among the World’s best players in the 2020 Chinese Super League season. He was selected by the Lexuan Sports Group TTC team that finished the season in 7th place. Yi played 4 games and lost them all. Still, he had some good moments against the legendary Ma Long, taking a set away from the Dragon, and winning few beautiful rallies.
It is interesting to imagine, how Yi would perform on the international stage if he would have a chance to play in the professional tours. Seeing his skillset, it is fair to assume that he would definitely be a TOP 50-100 player in the World, and he would strengthen most of the teams in Europe. It is worth mentioning that Yi has won in various tournaments against such table tennis stars, like Joo Sae-hyuk and Hou Yingchao.
In real life, Yi simply continues to enjoy participation in various tournaments around China and he might make another appearance in the Chinese Super League in the upcoming season. His appearance and stature might look heavy and chubby, but don’t estimate the man by his look – there is the highest quality table tennis player hidden in this man.
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