Table Tennis: Table service resumes in European Championships
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ALISON GORDON, of England, displays grim determination during her 21-14, 21-14 defeat by Italy's Fliura Abbate-Bulatova, a former European champion with the Soviet Union, during team competition in the European Championships which began at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena yesterday. The English women lost 4-3 to the Italians, with Abbate also beating Lisa Lomas, though England, seeded fourth, can still recover to qualify for the last four.
For the men, Carl Prean beat one of the game's greats as England began their medal challenge with a 4-0 victory over Hungary. The former national champion won 15-10, 15-10 against Tibor Klampar, a former world doubles champion and a leading member of the 1979 world title-winning team.
Prean's place has been in danger after a season blighted by injury and loss of confidence, but the calm aggression with which he overwhelmed the 41 year old, as well as his efficient display in the doubles, suggested England may be good enough to win a medal for the fourth successive time in this 46-nation tournament.
The title could be up for grabs between several countries, for the world champions, Sweden, suffered their first defeat in the European Championships for 10 years. Aiming for their fifth successive title, the Swedes lost 4-2 to Belgium with the Olympic champion Jan-Ove Waldner losing 21-18, 23-21 to the new world No 2, Jean-Michel Saive.
England's other winners were Matthew Syed and Chen Xinhua.
Results, Sporting Digest, page 51
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments