21/11/2010 - Turkey's pairings VANG Bora and HE Sirin are the crowned champions of the Mixed Doubles European Championships finished today in Subotica. Turkey is also most successful nation; they also won silver medal. Marko JEVTOVIC of Serbia and HU Melek played in the final. Bronze medalists are Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC of Serbia and Ruta PASKAUSKIENE of Lithuania as well as Evgeni CHTCHETININE and Viktoria PAVLOVICH of Belarus.

In the final VANG and HE had a lead 3:1 before JEVTOVIC and HU changed the gear and leveled the game. "We did not give up, even when they had a lead in the decisive seventh game. We kept on fighting. However the hardest match for us was the duel against Evgeni CHTCHETININE and Viktoria PAVLOVICH. We suffered defeat by their hands last year and it was mentally very tough game for us" explained HE.

VANG Bora pointed the same. "It was tough challenge to beat both Belarus pairings. The difference now was that we are much more experienced, we participated at the lot of tournament and we learned how it feels to win the medal."

Four time champions at the mixed doubles Events Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC of Serbia and Ruta PASKAUSKIENE Lithuania handed over the crown. It was consolation in bronze for them, after they suffered defeat by the hands of Marko JEVTOVIC of Serbia and HU Melek Turkey in semi final. 

However it was not bad season for bronze medal winner Ruta at all. Lithuanian star, won gold and bronze medal at the European Championships in Ostrava two months ago. "I feel empty now. He has not played at the highest level in Subotica. We did a lot of mistakes and that cost us the title here," explained PASAKAUSKIENE. In the other semi final VANG Bora and HE Sirin overcame big favorites Evgeni CHTCHETININE and Viktoria PAVLOVICH of Belarus.

(by Milica NIKOLIC, EWT)

Quarter-finals: Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC (SER)-Ruta PASKAUSKIENE (LAT) vs Pavel PLATANOV-Elena DUBKOVA (BLR) 4:0 (11:7, 11:6, 11:9, 12:10); Marko JEVTOVIC (SER)-HU Melek (TUR) vs Andrei FILIMON- Elizabeta SAMARA (ROM) 4:1 (14:12, 11:9, 8:11, 11:4, 11:9); VANG Bora-HE Sirin (TUR) vs Vitaly NEKHVEDOVICH- Veronika PAVLOVICH (BLR) 4:0 (11:9, 11:7, 11:9, 11:3); Zolt PETE-Gabrijela FEHER (SER) vs Evgeni CHTCHETININE-Viktoria PAVLOVICH (BLR) 2:4 (11:7, 2:11, 6:11, 13:11, 6:11, 2:11).

Semi-Finals: Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC-Ruta PASKAUSKIENE vs Marko JEVTOVIC-HU Melek 1:4 (8:11, 3:11, 12:10, 7:11, 7:11); VANG Bora-HE Sirin vs Evgeni CHTCHETININE-Viktoria PAVLOVICH 4:2 (11:13, 9:11, 11;6, 11:9, 11:4, 12;10).

Final: Marko JEVTOVIC-HU Melek vs VANG Bora-HE Sirin 3:4 (5:11, 13:11, 6:11, 7:11, 11:7, 11:5, 8:11)

20/11/2010 - Pavel PLATANOV of Belarus and Elizabeta SAMARA are the crowned champions of the Serbian Open in Subotica. Whilst SAMARA had a lot of titles in her record book, it was first International gold for the Belarus player.

Pavel PLATANOV overcame Marko JEVTOVIC in the final and forced him to pass of his crown. It was very dramatic final. "I lead 3:1 in games, but JEVTOVIC recovered to level the match. Then he had a lead 9:5. However I did not give up and I kept playing. At the end it paid off," explained PLATANOV.

Earlier this year PLATANOV won bronze at he Belarus open, and he was the member of the Belarus team that finished at he second position at the European Championships in Team's Event. He plays for Polish club Gorzov. Both semi finalist Marko JEVTOVIC of Serbia and Evgueni CHTCHETININE of Belarus had an easy morning round, but when their duel in the penultimate stage started it was clear that they going to need every atom of strength to conclude the match. After seven game of fierce battle defending champion has prevailed. In other semi PLATANOV beat Sel ZOLT of Serbia.

Unfortunately in the quarterfinal of the Men's Singles Event Bejamin BROSSIER suffered from an injury and he was forced to withdraw in the match against CHTCHETININE.  "I feel the sharp pain in my arm and I am not able to attack. I am sorry that I have to quit," said BROSSIER.

In the same round Marko JEVTOVIC received w.o. since Djordje BORCIC also suffered from an injury. Pavel PLATANOV of Belarus beat Bojan MILOSEVIC but Zolt SEL improved the situation for the hosts by beating Vitaly NEKHVEDOVICH of Belarus.

(by Milica NIKOLIC, EWT)

20/11/2010 - Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania clinched the title in all straight sets victories. At the final hurdle Elizabeta overcame compatriot Christina HIRICI. "When I finished the group stages at the top, my goal was to complete the tournament in straight games. The competition was not so strong, but it was good enough for me to prepare for the next challenges. I had to play in ETTU Cup next week, and I have busy month ahead. This was perfect opportunity for me to get ready," said SAMARA.

HIRICI was not very unhappy. "Next month I will play at the World Junior Championships. With matches like the one against RADONJIC, FEHER, and TOT is was good way to prepare for the Event. This is my last junior year, and I want to be ready for my senior challenges."

In the match for final Elizabeta SAMARA beat Monika MOLNAR of Serbia and she have not lost the game in the Serbian Open. Cristina HIRICI secured all-Romanina final after she overcame Gabriela FEHER in full distance match.

In the quarterfinal of the Women's Singles Event SAMARA showed no mercy against Belarus player Alena DUBKOVA. She succeeded in four games. The same score has been recorded in duel MOLNAR against compatriot Anazofija FENJVESI and Cristina HIRICI of Romania against Aleksandra RADONJIC of Serbia. It was only Gabrijela FEHER in that stage that needed six games to overcame Monika MOLNAR in another Serbian encounter.

(by Milica NIKOLIC, EWT)

20/11/2010 - Thomas Le BRETON the member of the French golden team that won titles at three European championships, came to Serbian Open in Subotica to taste the spirit of independence and to gain experience for the future. Young senior talked with us about the reasons for his arrival in Serbia, and plans for the future, just minutes after he won the top place in his qualification group at the Serbia Open. Unfortunately, latter he suffered defeat in the first round of the main draw against Djordje BORCIC.

"I am here with Benjamin BROSSIER. We came alone without coach. It is important for us to start gaining experience for the future tournaments. I am senior now and I am going to need it. We have to see how it works when you are on your own, when you travel, what to do and how to manage your trip in foreign countries. We had a good training here, and I faced good adversaries in the opening stage of the tournament, so my pleasure in winning the top position is even bigger" explained LE BRETON.

LE BRETON overcame Viktor ROGIC of Montenegro, Zoltan PETE and Kristian DALEA of Serbia in the qualification stage. "The last match was very hard. It was good game. My goal right now is to gain as much ranking points as I can, and this is good opportunity."

Young French player is the member of the team that works in the top national center INSEP in Paris.  "We have one of the best centers for table tennis in Europe. Recently we added new facilities, two new buildings and our coaching team is the best. In our center practicing Damien ELOI, Christoph LEGOUT, Emmanuel LEBESON and Abdel KADER SALIFOU, as well as younger players such as Quentin ROBINOT, Benjamin BROSSIER, Simon GAUZY, Romain LORENTZ...I live there and now when I finished school I can give 100 percent of me to the table tennis."

Is it hard to be far from home and to live in the center? "No. It is really nice atmosphere there and I am enjoying every moment. We are good friends; we have a lot of activities. We are like family. However, when we are in the hall the good quality of our group helps us to give the best. The competition and friendly rivalry between us pushes us even further."

Thomas plays in the Issy in French B league. "We have a lot of foreign players and it brings some extra quality to the league." It is not all about club and team life for LE BRETON. He also finds the time to promote table tennis. "Recently I spend a lot of time preparing the project, something like show to promote the sport in my home town. I live in town three hours of drive near Paris, and I brought my friends BROSSIER, LORENTZ... there and we had a good show."

Also, LE BRETON is interested in actual politic. "The political moment in Europe and France is very complicated. I read a lot recently on that subject. I am trying to understand what is happening and I try to learn about all of problems that bother all of us now."

Already, LE BRETON travels a lot. "I enjoyed my trips to USA and South Africa. Also I like to come to countries in East Europe, because people are very friendly and open," admitted Thomas LE BRETON.

(by Milica NIKOLIC, EWT)

19/11/2010 - The Serbian Open reached the knock out stage. Top seeded players Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania and Evgueni CHTCHETININE of Belarus progressed to the quarterfinal. The title holder Marko JEVTOVIC faced no obstacles in the duel against compatriot Vladimir RADONJIC. Serbia's player succeeded in straight games.
JEVTOVIC will play against Djordje BORCIC who overcame Thomas LE BRETON of France.

French player Benjamin BROSSIER succeeded against Denis CONIC in five games. BROSSIER will meet Evgueni CHTCHETININE. Belarus player overcame Zoran SAVIC of Serbia. Vitali NEKHVIADOVICH of Belarus was to strong for Boris MIHAILOVIC of Serbia. Pavel PLATANOV extended the list of Belarus players in the quarter after he beat Zoltan PETE. Bojan MILOSEVIC beat Lorencio LUPULESKU and Zolt SEL overcame Marko PETKOV.

Top seed Elizabeta SAMARA overcame Ivana DJALOVIC of Montenegro to reach the quarter final of the Women's Singles Event. Romanian star will play against Elena DUBKOVA of Belarus for the place in the semi final. DUBKOVA overcame another player from Montenegro Snezana CULAFIC.

In all-Serbian duels Monika MOLNAR overcame Zanet KORMANJOS and Anazofia FENJVESI beat Viktorija TRUZINSKI. Whilst most of the matches today were finished in straight games Dijana HOLOK and Aleksandra PRIVALOVA went full distance. In seven games duel Serbia's representative prevailed.

In the lower half of the draw Gabrijela FEHER of Serbia overcame Doroca HAJNAL Cristina HIRICI of Romania overcame Eva TOT of Serbia. She will play against Aleksandra RADONJIC of Serbia. Aleksandra overcame compatriot Aneta MAKSUTI.

(by Milica NIKOLIC, EWT)

10/11/2010 - ETTU President Stefano BOSI declared European Mixed Doubles Championships in Subotica open at the ceremony that was held today in Hala Sportova. "This is the second edition of the Event. I want to thank to all participants, athletes, coaches, umpires and national associations who had came here. I want to thank everybody who gives the contribution for development and promotion to our sport," said President BOSI.

President BOSI thanked to Serbian TTA and especially the city of Subotica. "It is great honor for me to host the European Championships," said President of the Serbian TTA Zoran KALINIC. Vice President of the City Assembly Czaba SEPSA welcomed the guests.

19/11/2010 - Top seed at the Serbian Open Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania successfully concluded qualification stages. She beat Una RADAK and Doroca HAJNAL of Serbia. "On each tournament I give my best. For me it is very important to stay in good shape. I have important match with Fenerbahce against Portugal's ADC Ponta do Pargo in ETTU Cup next week, and I have League match. I have to play on top level constantly," said SAMARA.

SAMARA came to Subotica to play at the Serbian Open and European mixed Doubles Championships from the Polish open. "I have reached quarter finals but I suffered defeat by the hands of LI Jiao of Netherlands. It was straight games match, but far from easy one for my adversaries. I had a lead 5:1, 6:1 in each game. Anyway, I am in good shape and I hope for good result in Subotica."

Last year SAMARA and Andrei FILIMON won bronze medal. "The ambitions for this edition are the same. We are aiming the medal rostrum and we hope we can go even step higher. FILIMON made a break, since he was injured, but now he is back. Maybe he is not in 100 percent shape, but he is fresh and not tired and we play very good."

In between matches and tournaments SAMARA practice in Olympic center in Romania. "We have very good group of players. Cristina HIRICI is there, FILIMON joined us, Lucian MUNTEANU.... I am very happy with the conditions there." The top priority for the next year is to qualify for the Olympic Games in London 2012.

"I went through qualification stages and played in Nant for my place in Beijing. I hope I will manage to skip that step this time. It is so hard to go that way. I will do my best to gain direct passage via rankings. To do so I will need to be very careful and to chose tournaments next year. I can not afford to lose any valuable points or to suffered defeats in the early stages of the tournaments," explained Elizabeta SAMARA.

18/11/2010 - In the opening rounds of the Serbian Open in Subotica favorites avoided any unpleasant surprises at the qualification stages. Evgueni CHTCHETININE, Pavel PLATONOV and Vitaly NEKHVEDOVICH of Belarus all scored straight games victories.

Defending champion Marko JEVTOVIC also won, as well as Benjamin BROSSIER and Thomas Le BRETON of France. Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania had an easy opening match, as well as Gabrijela FEHER of Serbia.

A day before the start of the European Mixed Doubles Championships in Subotica the member of City Assembly in charge of sport, youth and tourism Nemanja SIMOVIC hosted the press conference in The City Hall.  "We are happy that we have another opportunity to welcome the players at another edition of Mixed Doubles Championships. Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC and Ruta PASKAUSKIENE will surely give their best to defend their title, but it will be very difficult since another European champion a Viktoria PAVLOVICH is also here. Viktoria will play with Evgueni CHTCHETININE. They are main favorites, but there are also couple more good pairings," announced STTA President Zoran KALINIC.

Viktoria PAVLOVICH, as well KARAKASEVIC have chosen only to play at the MD Event. "I am focus to make good result in mixed doubles, and that is the reason why will not play at the Serbia Open," explained PAVLOVICH.

It was the same reason that KARAKASEVIC gave.  "We continue to have good cooperation with ETTU. I hope it will eventually put Subotica in the center of the Serbian table tennis," said Minister Nemanja SIMOVIC.

(by Milica NIKOLIC, EWT)

17/11/2010 - Subotica, town at the North of Serbia will be the host of the Serbian Open and Mixed Doubles European Championships from November 18th to November 21st. It will be the second edition of the event after 2007 Double Mixed competition was split from the rest of the European Championships Events.
18 pairs from Belarus, Italy, Romania, Turkey, Montenegro, Lithuania and Serbia will play at the Mixed Doubles European Championships.

Top seeded pairs are Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC and Ruta PASKAUSKIENE, Serbian/Lithuanian combination that won already four gold medals at European Championships in Bremen 2000, Aarhus 2005, on the last joint Event in Belgrade 2007 as well as again in 2009 in Subotica. .

Player ranked at the position no. 26 at the World rankings Victoria PAVLOVICH will play with Evgueni CHTCHETININE whilst her twin sister Veronika will pair up with Vitaly NEKHVEDOVICH. Last year winner of the Serbian Open Elizabeta SAMARA will play with Andrei FILIMON. Romania will have another pairings Lucian MUNTEANU and Cristina HIRICI. Debora VIVARELLI and Damiano SERETI will represent Italy. Last year Turkey won first European medal in Subotica and this time they will participate with very strong players. VANG Bora will play with HE Sirin, whilst HU Melek will join Serbia's Marko JEVTOVIC. JEVTOVIC will try to defend his title at the Serbian Open.

"I decided to focus only on Mixed Doubles Event. In order to give my best and try to regain the title, I will not play at the Serbian Open. There are good pairings in Subotica and it will be hard task," said Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC.

TTStar will daily live transmit all the matches of 2010 European Mixed Doubles Championships and Serbian Open.  Official equipment supplier is TIBHAR, and floor covering supplier is STAG.

(by Milica NIKOLIC, EWT)

The official prospectus of both events were released today. You can view them here.