May 18, 2009
Traditional Rivals Ready to Capture the Imagination
 Timo Boll leads the European challenge. Photo By: Ayoade Ademakinwa |
Courtesy of ITTF Contests such as golf’s Ryder Cup, which sees the Europeans face the Americans, the Ashes cricket Test Matches as England plays Australia or the Old Firm football match in Scotland, when the city of Glasgow forms into two distinctive camps to support either Celtic or Rangers. |
They are special events, events which go beyond the disciplines of their sport and beyond the disciplines of sport.
Most Noticeable
In table tennis there are traditional rivals, many national leagues will have such situations but on a global scale such confrontations are less pronounced but surely are to be encouraged.
The most noticeable I have witnessed being in the Men’s Team final of the table tennis events at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2008, when Brazil played Argentina; the atmosphere was explosive.
It was “whatever the sport, you must win”.
Scenario
If there is to be such scenario the surely that can be when the two traditionally strong continents of Europe and Asia meet; in the 1980s the Euro-Asia tournament was a contest that brought the might of the world together.
Now, in 2009 it is to be regenerated but in a different guise.
All Stars
The Europe-Asia All Stars will be staged in Beijing on Wednesday August 25 and 26th and in Istanbul on Tuesday and Wednesday November 10-11, 2009.
It is a contest that involves the continents leading male players and following the H.I.S. World Championships in Yokohama, in line with the May 2009 ITTF World Rankings, Europe has nominated its team.
Selection
The selected players are: Timo Boll (GER), Vladimir Samsonov (BLR), Kalinikos Keanga (GRE), Michael Maze (DEN), Werner Schlager (AUT) and only for the event in Istanbul, Gencay Menge (TUR).
Television
Chinese National Television (CTTV) and Eurosport will broadcast the event.
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