by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Entry is by invitation with the highest ranked 56 men and 56 women, as on the November 2016 European Under 21 ranking list being invited; there is the added criteria that each eligible national association is limited to three male and three female players.

Sweden’s Anton Källberg and Germany’s Nina Mittelham are the respective leading names for the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles events; a tournament which witnesses four competitions. In addition Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles will be held.

The Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles events will be played in three stages.

In each event the highest ranked eight players will receive a direct entry to stage two; the remaining 48 players will compete in 12 groups in stage one, each group organised an all-play-all basis. Initially, the players ranked no.9 to no.20 will be allocated in order of merit, the remaining places will be drawn on a snake system according to status; players from the same association will be drawn in different groups.

Players finishing in first and second places in each group will join the eight seeds in stage two, a total of 32 players per event.

Likewise stage two will be organised on a group basis; eight groups each with four players. The eight seeds will be assigned to each group according to ranking. Players finishing in top place in the initial stage first eight groups will be drawn next; followed by the players finishing in first and second positions in groups no.9 to no.12. The players who finished in second position in groups no.1 to no.8 will be drawn into the remaining places.

Next, players finishing in first and second places in each of the eight second stage groups will advance to stage three. Play in stage three will be organised on a knock-out basis.

Similarly, play throughout in both the Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles events will be conducted on the knock-out principle.

The online entry system will open from Monday 14th November to Monday 5th December for the invited 56 men and 56 women. The deadline to form doubles pairs is Thursday 5th January; the deadline for reserve players in case of cancellations with regards to the invited players is Monday 19th December.

Accommodation and travel details are required by Thursday 5th January.

Stag 2017 European Under 21 Championships: Prospect and Contact Details

Stag 2017 European Under 21 Championships: Invited Players – Men

Stag 2017 European Under 21 Championships: Invited Players – Women