by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

In the contest against Romania, Tomas Polansky trailed Rares Sipos by two games to one. In the fourth game he led 7-5; after a long rally, he was awarded the next point. Understandably there were cheers from coach and players sitting on the bench.

However, Tomas Polansky advised the umpire that he had moved the table and the point should be awarded to his opponent; the score was duly rectified to 7-6.

Eventually, it was success for Tomas Polansky in five games (9-11, 11-8, 1-11, 11-7, 11-6).

Alas for the Czech Republic it was a three-two defeat, as it had been earlier against Japan; for the trio comprising Tomas Polansky, Patrik Klos and Jiri Martinko, there was no place in the quarter-finals. Eventually tenth place was their lot.

The award is made by the Swaythling Club International to encourage fair play and sportsmanship, an act that may inspire others; the winner receives US$ 1,500 scholarship cheque for career development donated by the International Table Tennis Federation.”