by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Welcomed by Miguel Angel Machado, the President of the Royal Spanish Table Tennis Federation, Ronald Kramer ETTU President and Jonny Cowan, ITTF European Marketing Manager were both present.

In addition, María Luisa Gayo, the Director of Sport for Alicante and María del Carmen de España responsible for tourism in the region also attended.

“Thank you to the Royal Spanish Table Tennis Federation for organising a thorough and productive inspection visit. A lot has been discussed and planned; I am convinced the European Championships will be a great success this year in Alicante. Thanks to all the partners involved to make the event happen.” Ronald Kramer

Memorably in 2016, Alicante hosted a highly successful World Veteran Championships at the IFA Exhibition Centre; the venue for the Liebherr 2018 ITTF European Championships will be the Centro de Tecnificacion Deportiva which will feature four show court tables plus 12 practice tables.

A second hall some 200 metres distant, the Pabellon Pitiu Rochel will host 12 tables.

“We thank ETTU and ITTF for this visit and for all the constructive work and meetings over these last two days. The organisation of this event is a big challenge for the Federation but we will try to do our best following ETTU and ITTF guidance” Miguel Angel Machado

It is the first time that Spain has hosted a European Championships. In Alicante the five individual events will be staged: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles.

The defending champions are:
Men’s Singles: Emmanuel Lebesson (France)
Women’s Singles: Hu Melek (Turkey)
Men’s Doubles: Patrick Franziska / Jonathan Groth (Germany / Denmark)
Women’s Doubles: Kristin Lang / Sabine Winter (Germany)
Mixed Doubles: João Monteiro) / Daniela Monteiro Dodean (Portugal / Romania)
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