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“We are delighted to welcome such a high-caliber player to Team JOOLA and to have him put his trust in our products as he continues his journey to becoming one of the world’s best table tennis players,” said JOOLA President Richard Lee. “Zhou Qihao is on the path to accomplishing great things. We strongly believe in him and are humbled to be by his side, supporting him as he builds his legacy.”

Zhou was most notably the 2021 Champion of the All-Star Chinese WTT and Olympic Simulation Trials, where he defeated Grand Slam Champion Ma Long in the semifinals and went on to defeat current World Champion Fan Zhendong in the finals match. Zhou has been able to go toe-to-toe with the absolute best Chinese players in the world and is now venturing into the international table tennis scene.

“I am incredibly happy to join Team JOOLA. After trying JOOLA’s products and meeting their team, I believe this partnership will help me take the next step in pursuing my goals to win the highest-level tournaments in the world,” said Zhou, after the signing in Houston.

As JOOLA continues to innovate and further establish itself in the table tennis community, the team is ecstatic to be collaborating with an athlete from the Chinese National Team and looks forward to seeing Zhou Qihao’s progress on the world stage. The JOOLA team hopes the new partnership and support will have a positive impact on Zhou’s career and help him advance in his goals.

The post Team JOOLA Thrilled to Sign Chinese National Team Star Zhou Qihao appeared first on JOOLA Global.

“It was a huge honor for me to have this opportunity to pair with Lin for the Mixed Doubles, not only to create a formidable team – but also to celebrate the anniversary of 50 years since Ping Pong Diplomacy,” says Zhang.

Zhang and Lin paired together to reach the semifinals of the Mixed Doubles in Houston, taking home a bronze medal, but narrowly missing out on going even further.

The pair opened with a convincing win over Portugal’s Tiago Apolonia and Shao Jieni in three straight games. The Chinese fans were already thrilled to see the pair in action.

The next match in the round of 32 cemented the international pair as serious contenders in the event. The pressure was on for Zhang and Lin, as they took on the reigning European Champions – Dang Qiu and Nina Mittelham. The Germans sealed out the first game in deuce, before the diplomatic duo swept the next three games.

“It was a real confidence boost to win over the European Champions, after this match it started to sink in that if we played well then there was a possibility of winning a medal,” Lily says, reflecting on the match.

The pair took down Skachkov and Vorobeva in the next round, with Zhang’s quick pace up at the table backed up by the sensational technical ability of Lin Gaoyuan.

The pressure was on as they entered the quarterfinals, just one round away from a guaranteed medal. They faced off with Jia Nan and Emmanuel Lebesson of France, the latter a player renowned for being a skillful doubles player.

Zhang and Lin paired together immaculately, the left and right hand combinations capturing the right angles, while Zhang continued to hold the table and play early in the bounce.

The first two games were tight and split, but the US-China pairing quickly took the high ground in the match and brought it home 3-1.

It was a moment of elation, not just for the players, but for the many US fans who were there to witness a moment in history on US soil.

“I can’t really describe the moment that final point was won, to be guaranteed a medal here on home turf. It was a really special moment, but also I felt some pressure off my shoulders to be guaranteed a place on the podium,” Zhang reflects.

The pair would eventually lose out on a place in the final, with Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto and Hina Hayata surpassing them in the 5^th game.

It was a rough start, with the Japanese pair taking both the first 2 games, but Zhang and Lin knuckled down to push the match the full distance.

Unfortunately it was not to be on this occasion.

A moment forever to be remembered, as US and China mixed doubles combo, standing upon the podium and celebrating the unity and friendships built across a small table.

Certainly the fans were delighted with the performance, both US and Chinese alike, perhaps we will be fortunate enough to see these stars play together again one day.

“To stand on that podium was a mixture of a lot of emotions, I think really just pride. I felt like me and Lin were a good team and we both enjoyed the experience. To win a bronze medal at the World Championships is something that any player would dream of, so to have achieved such a milestone in my career is really a great honor for me,” Lily recalls.

We are so proud of Lily for this monumental achievement, to see her making another impact on the history of US Table Tennis with a smile on her face is a privilege for all of us at Team JOOLA. Congratulations, Lily!

The post Zhang Wins Historic First WTTC Medal for USA Since 1959 appeared first on JOOLA Global.

This year’s Teams features a 3-day long live stream of all the matches. This is one of the first table tennis events to feature remote production combined with Mixed Reality. The event is to be streamed on JOOLA Global’s YouTube channel and all-new JOOLA Infinity app. Real-time Mixed Reality allows JOOLA to step outside of the traditional sponsorship toolkit and activate its sponsorship in an innovative and contextual way.

Richard Lee, President of JOOLA, stated, “We are committed to the sport of table table tennis and to delivering the best-in-class table tennis equipment and experiences to our customers. Working with OSAI on the Mixed Reality live stream of Teams helps us to take table tennis viewing to the next level. Real-time Mixed Reality allows us to engage table tennis fans with live exclusive insights and attract new audiences with immersive, digitally-native content that explains the game and gets them excited about the sport. Crucially, we are able to produce the event remotely.”

OSAI powers the entire remote production of JOOLA Teams streaming, delivering an end-to-end solution that includes broadcast-quality video, commentary, Mixed Reality, and analytics. OSAI aims to turn every match of the JOOLA North American Teams Championships into an immersive and engaging experience for both the viewers and the players.

“We are thrilled to partner with JOOLA and deliver cutting-edge viewing experiences to all Teams followers. OSAI Mixed Reality enters the USA market with a strong case of remote virtual production of one of the leading table tennis events in the country. OSAI uses Computer Vision and AI to collect & analyze performance data that is then transformed into immersive animations. Combing live data with sports entertainment means that OSAI live streaming engages all segments of fans and unlocks new digital assets for sponsorship activations,” said Nish Sehgal, Global Managing Director of OSAI.

Real-time Mixed Reality by OSAI engages viewers with dynamic on-screen animations and deep game insights, otherwise unavailable to fans. The Teams live stream will include ball tracking, player positions, zones occupied, and ball speed – to name a few. 

About Teams:

The 23rd annual JOOLA North American Teams Championships is a USATT sanctioned 4-star event and will be held at the Gaylord National Resort in Washington, DC for the 6th year in a row. The always highly anticipated three-day competition boasts players from all over the US as well as entrants from around the world, giving players a chance to mingle and learn new techniques from a broader table tennis community. The tournament features a team component in an otherwise individual-focused sport in the US.

About JOOLA:

JOOLA has been a leader in table tennis since 1952. The global company offers a selection of premium quality table tennis equipment from tables to blades. JOOLA is also a proud sponsor of several major table tennis tournaments, including the JOOLA North American Teams Championships.

About OSAI:

OSAI is an AI-powered technology that unlocks real-time Mixed Reality video streaming for live sporting events. OSAI analyses the video feed to gather the performance data, analyze it and overlay the video with on-screen animations in real-time. Mixed Reality enhances the viewer experience with game insights, explanations and gamification. OSAI transforms the live streaming of sports, connecting the traditional broadcast with digital on-demand culture.

The post JOOLA North American Teams Championships 2021 to live stream table tennis in Mixed Reality powered by OSAI appeared first on JOOLA Global.

1. Players From Around the World
2. Win Big $$
3. Events Galore
4. Fun for All Ages
5. The NATT Experience
6. Best of the Best Equipment
7. Fun for the Whole Crew
8. World-Class Theme Parks Nearby
9. Exclusive Discounts
10. Entertainment & Events
11. Luxury Outlets

1. Players From Around the World

The JOOLA Global Championships is an international event that’s expected to draw more than a thousand entrants from around the world. High-level professional players will be in attendance too, so expect some exciting matches, or even the chance to meet a player you follow!

2. Win Big $$$

More than bragging rights will be up for grabs as JOOLA Global Championships will be handing out US$100,000 in prize money. In addition to cementing their place in JOOLA history as the champion of the first ever JOOLA Global Championships tournament, the winner of the Open Singles event will receive a whopping US$25,000 grand prize. More than 80 cash prizes will be handed out to event winners, so there are plenty of opportunities to win some green!

3. Events Galore

With over 65 tournament events to choose from, there is an event for every style and level of play. Players are given the flexibility to choose up to 8 events. Those set on having a lot of playing time can sign up for a full schedule. Those wanting to have a more relaxed experience can choose fewer events and spend more time enjoying Orlando’s many leisure offerings. The tournament will be whatever you want to make of it!

4. Fun for All Ages

JOOLA is partnering with the American Youth Table Tennis Organization (AYTTO) and the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) to include age events for elementary through high school students, as well as collegiate-level events. Men and women age events, including senior events are also offered.

5. The NATT Experience

North American Table Tennis (NATT), which has decades of experience running large scale tournaments, will be running the JOOLA Global Championships. NATT has run one of the U.S.’ largest tournaments, the JOOLA North American Teams Championships in Washington, DC, for over 20 years. The organization also ran the U.S. Open and U.S. Nationals in the past. Attendees can expect an experienced staff and a smooth tournament experience.

6. Best of the Best Equipment

The tournament will feature over 150 ITTF-approved JOOLA competition tables surrounded by JOOLA court barriers. Players will be competing using white, 3-star JOOLA Prime ABS table tennis balls. JOOLA will also have a sales booth at the tournament, offering its latest products, special discounts, and consults with knowledgeable equipment specialists.

7. Fun for the Whole Crew

In addition to the tournament, its location in Orlando offers something fun for everyone. Choose an action-packed trip to nearby theme parks and water parks, relax next to one of Gaylord Palms’ many pools, or eat your way through Orlando’s diverse selection of award-winning restaurants.

Whether you are coming with family or friends who are table tennis people too or are just tagging along, the JOOLA Global Championships will make for an exciting group holiday and a memorable way to wrap up your summer.

8. World-Class Theme Parks Nearby

Orlando, Florida is home to some of the world’s most famous theme parks. This includes Walt Disney World® – home to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Magic Kingdom. Scheduled shuttle service to Walt Disney World® theme parks and Disney Springs® is an included amenity for guests at the Gaylord Palms Resort.

There is also Universal Studios Florida, which features 2 theme parks, a water park, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Other nearby attractions include SeaWorld® and LEGOLAND®.  If theme parks aren’t your thing, Orlando also has over 100 standalone attractions beyond the parks.

For those who don’t want to venture far from the tournament venue, the Gaylord Palms Resort offers an onsite water park that is exclusive to and complementary for its resort guests. The Cypress Springs Water Park features multiple water slides, a FlowRider surfing attraction, and an immersive Crystal River Rapids experience.

9. Exclusive Discounts

JOOLA is partnering with local businesses to offer tournament attendees exclusive discounts to a plethora of Orlando’s exciting attractions, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida. JOOLA doesn’t want its Global Championships to be just another tournament. They want to provide attendees with a vacation experience and to help guests make the most of their time in Orlando. Discounts are posted on the JOOLA Global Championships event page.

10. Entertainment & Events

There is always something fun happening in Orlando! Here are some exciting events that are happening in the city during the end of August and start of September*.

• Electric Ocean at SeaWorld® Orlando – With fireworks shows, glowing sea creatures, and world-class DJs, Electric Ocean is sure to light up your SeaWorld® experience.
• Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival – Visit international marketplaces, watch live entertainment, and eat and drink your way around the world at Epcot’s World Showcase.
• Disney® After Hours Boo Bash at Magic Kingdom – Trick or treat your way through the park and get swept up in the Halloween spirit with spooky décor and Boo Bash-exclusive food and drinks.
• Busch Gardens Summer Nights – From block parties and live performances to seasonal food and drink, enjoy all that Busch Gardens has to offer with extended summer park hours.
• Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining® – Orlando’s restaurant month! Explore the Orlando food scene and enjoy specially priced three-course, prix fixed dinners at over 50 participating restaurants.

*Event schedules are subject to change. Stay up to date with Visit Orlando’s event calendar.

11. Luxury Outlets

Squeeze in some retail therapy while you’re in Orlando! The city is home to two Premium Outlets®, with the Vineland location just a short 10-minute drive away from the tournament venue at the Gaylord Palms Resort. The luxury outlet features more than 160 designer stores, including Adidas, Burberry, Lululemon, and more. You’ll want to come with extra luggage space!

The post Here’s Why JOOLA Global Championships is the Must-Attend Tournament of 2022 appeared first on JOOLA Global.

The road to victory was not without its bumps, starting right from the opening match in the Round of 16. Facing off against Germany’s Killian Ort and Tobias Hippler, the Indian duo had to give every ounce to bring home the match. Where Ort and Hippler won their two games 11 to 6 and 11 to 5, the games won by Desai and Gnanasekaran were much tighter.

The fifth and final game set the stage for what would be a thrilling Men’s Doubles competition, with the spirited Indian pair closing it 12-10.

The quarterfinals proved smoother sailing with a 3-1 win over Majoros and Juhasz. The semifinal match would prove to be the biggest challenge of all.

Facing a 2-0 deficit in games, Desai and Gnanasekaran clawed their way back into the match. They won 3 consecutive games and closed out the match 11-9 in the fifth over Hungary’s Ecseki and Szudi.

A gold medal and a prestigious WTT Contender title on the line, Desai and Gnanasekaran gave their all in the Final. The opposition was tough, with the combination of France’s left handed former European Champion Emmanuel Lebesson and partner Alexandre Cassin.

Again Desai and Gnanasekaran proved to handle themselves under pressure the best, sealing games 1 and 3 both by 11-9 margins. The two looked comfortable throughout the match, clearly displaying great teamwork and drawing on their years of being close teammates.

After a host of challenging matches, the Indian duo earned the top place on the podium.

Congratulations, Harmeet! We look forward to seeing more superb results from you in the near future!

The post Desai Clinches Doubles Crown at WTT Tunis appeared first on JOOLA Global.

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Shandong Luneng Women Excel at Chinese National Games

• October 12, 2021
• By: Matt Hetherington

The JOOLA-sponsored Shandong Luneng Women’s Team – a team comprised of some of the best female table tennis players of this generation – were at the forefront of the 2021 Chinese National Games. The event is held every four years and hosts the top players from across China.

Led by current World Number 1 Chen Meng and bolstered by World Number 4 Wang Manyu, Shandong Luneng is a formidable force. Team members 2010 Youth Olympic Champion Gu Yuting, 2014 Youth Olympic Singles and Mixed Teams Champion Liu Gaoyang, Wang Xiaotong and Wei Yuanhui provided strong support. Highly regarded in the world of table tennis and often cited as the world’s most difficult table tennis event, the caliber of competition at the Chinese National Games is high. Featuring an incredible depth of players, many matches have the intensity and standard of an Olympic medal match. Before the launch of the contest, four of China’s best female players took part in a video interview, including both Chen Meng and Wang Manyu. In the interview, Chen agrees that the Chinese National Games is a more challenging than the Olympic Games.

The tough matches began straight from the group stage, with the Shandong team steering clear of near defeat on 2 of their 3 group matches. Heilongjiang and Shanghai would be halted in the deciding matches with Shandong prevailing 3-2 in both cases.

The team navigated past Tianjin, 3-1, and followed up with an impressive semifinal victory over Sichuan with a sweep of 3 matches to 0.

The final saw the Shandong Luneng team walk away with a silver medal. While the team had a spirited start with a 3-1 victory for Chen Meng over Liaoning’s Wang Yidi, it was the opposition who prevailed in the next three matches.

It was thrilling to see the team compete at such an incredible level and to see the best players in the world go head-to-head. Overall, Shandong Luneng was able to win five team matches on its road to the final, no small feat in the world of Chinese table tennis.

Congratulations to Shandong Luneng! TeamJOOLA is proud to join you on this journey and into the future.

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The post Shandong Luneng Women Excel at Chinese National Games appeared first on JOOLA Global.

North American Table Tennis (NATT), which has run JOOLA’s North American Teams Championships in Washington, DC for over 20 years, as well as the U.S. Open and U.S. Nationals in the past, will be running the new four-day tournament.

JOOLA Global Championships is expected to attract more than a thousand entrants from around the world and will feature over sixty Singles and Doubles events. Players can enter in up to eight tournament events. More than bragging rights will be up for grabs as the tournament will be handing out one-hundred thousand dollars in prize money.

In partnership with the American Youth Table Tennis Organization (AYTTO) and the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA), there will be special age events for elementary through high school students, as well as collegiate U22 events.

The expansive tournament hall will boast more than one-hundred and fifty ITTF-approved JOOLA competition tables. Outside of the tournament hall, the Gaylord Palms Resort welcomes guests to a luxury experience. With its own water park and an exciting lineup of family-friendly activities and entertainment, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Players are encouraged to bring along friends and family members to enjoy everything that Orlando has to offer. From theme parks and water parks to award-winning restaurants and designer outlet stores, Orlando is guaranteed to have something for everyone.

The regular entry fee for JOOLA Global Championships is $499, but several tiers of limited early bird deals are available. $399 club pricing is also available to members of JOOLA-sponsored table tennis clubs. This is a tournament you won’t want to miss out on.

The post JOOLA Brings New Global Championships Tournament to Florida appeared first on JOOLA Global.

This probably won’t be like my usual blog posts that are often peppered with positivity and words of encouragement. An easily digestible lesson you can take away at the end. I could write that despite the pandemic and postponement of the games, I bounced back to train with ferocious intensity and motivation. I could tell you that I had the time of my life in Tokyo. I could even say that I’m itching to get back on the table, to resume a mentally and physically demanding training schedule. Everyone loves a success story. Unfortunately, that’s not often the truth. I mean, you would never be able to tell by my Instagram, but that’s social media for you, isn’t it? We’re all fine online. No, not just fine. Thriving. We post the best parts of our life, subtly boasting to the world. Look at all the wonderful places I get to travel to! Check out this aesthetically pleasing plate of avocado toast! How terribly easy it is to pretend. The shimmering rays of sunshine we beam proudly on the surface, the icebergs we bury so deeply beneath.

My feed is no different. The truth is, this year has been one of the toughest years of my life. I’ve struggled with bouts of depression and anxiety in the past, but it’s never been worse than the past year. Yes, there have been some incidents in the year that have deeply exacerbated my mental health decline and perhaps one day, I will feel ready to share, but for now, please bear with me as I try and articulate my experience as best I can.

The months that led up to Tokyo felt like a blur. All the days bleeding into one. Every time someone asked how I was doing, I’d clench my fists and desperately try to hold in the tears that would bubble up, threatening to spill over. The words that came out told a different story. I’m doing great!, I’d say. I wasn’t great. But how could I tell them the truth? That it’s been sleeping all day but feeling constantly tired. Crying into the pillow until my eyelids swelled in grotesque size. Scrambling to cover the red puffy splotches with makeup the next day. Being overcome with violent waves of nausea without explanation. Feeling impossibly overwhelmed by even the smallest of tasks. And it’s not that I didn’t want to dispel this suffocating weight. Many times I have come close to opening up, but was afraid to put a damper on the mood or cause any discomfort. The last thing anyone wants to be is a burden. So instead, I’d put on a smile and lie through my teeth, feeling like the biggest fraud on the planet.

I tried to ignore the signs, to focus the little energy I could muster on this singular goal. The Games. It was the only thing that mattered. I refused therapy, neglected self-care, pushed away loved ones, and isolated myself, all the while convincing myself that it was simply unrelenting dedication to my craft. The more I withdrew, the more this aching tiredness sunk its unforgiving teeth into my bones, building a comfortable home for itself there. Without even realizing it, I had become a shell of a human, a stranger to myself. The eyes that stared back at me in the mirror were sunken, empty, broken. No, they were not my own.

By the time Tokyo rolled around, I was in complete disarray on the inside. The stress and adrenaline from the Games propelled me through my matches, but they were unremarkably average. I reached the third round in Women’s Singles, the same round as my 2016 Rio run. At the time, I attributed this devastating, yet strangely peaceful feeling eating at me directly after the match in part due to the fact that I wasn’t able to improve my result from the last Games. But I only now understand it was relief. Relief that it was all finally just over.

Only a day later, news broke out that Simone Biles had withdrawn from the gymnastics team finals. I was stunned. What’s crazier is that my immediate reaction to the large headline plastered across my phone wasn’t hey is she okay?, but rather, how is the team going to win gold without her now? Process that for a second. In my warped, twisted mind, winning meant more than health.

You know, I always thought I could handle everything by myself. Asking for help was a sign of weakness. Athletes push and push themselves to the limit, to the brink of exhaustion. No pain, no gain. But what happens when the pain becomes too much? Well, if it’s a physical injury, we take a break. We go to numerous doctor’s appointments, assess the point of injury, and put in the necessary time and effort to rehabilitate. There are no questions, no comments, no doubts about why we treat the hurt.

What about the other side of the spectrum? While there have been efforts to create safe spaces for athletes to seek help, there are still significantly fewer resources allocated towards mental health. Most of all, it’s the stigma that dissuades many athletes from taking the first step. There’s shame, guilt, humiliation. Because it’s not a broken arm or a strained hamstring, because the pain isn’t visible to the naked eye, then there must be something deeply wrong with you. You, as a person.

I’ve talked to people, even other athletes, who criticize Simone Biles or Naomi Osaka for “quitting.” She just can’t handle the pressure, she signed up for this, it’s her job to push all the way till the end, they’d say. That’s not how I see it. For an athlete, it’s one of the hardest things to shove away your ego and recognize when you need to step aside. Simone and Naomi said hey, maybe you don’t need to sacrifice your well-being for a medal or a title. Call them weak, but to me, they’re trailblazers, paving a path that allows athletes to finally feel seen, valid, and most of all, human.

I may not have nearly as large of a platform as Simone or Naomi, but I want to do my part in being more transparent, honest. To let others know that they’re not alone by finally exposing this vulnerable side of my underbelly I’ve kept shamefully hidden for so long. We might feel crushingly isolated in our struggle but there is always someone out there who feels the same way you do. The more people that speak out, the easier it will be in the future. Let’s normalize nourishing our minds just as much as we do our bodies.

Slowly, painstakingly so, I am beginning to learn how to unpack the toxic mindset I’ve internalized over the years. Realizing that it’s okay to reach out for help. And it’s okay to not be okay. The healing process isn’t linear. Growth isn’t linear. It’s a continuous cycle of ebb and flow. There will be days where you will feel seemingly okay and then be engulfed by a helpless wave of grief the very next. Sometimes you just need to sit in all that grief and sadness and anguish and allow it to wash over you.

I won’t say that it’s easy. It still hurts like hell. But through all the pain and suffering, I’ve unearthed a resilience I never even knew I had. I welcome the first slivers of self-compassion into my soul. The voice in my head is gradually becoming gentler, kinder. Seven-year-old Lily who first picked up a table tennis racket that one fated day wouldn’t have even dreamed about playing in the Olympics, let alone in three. I look to her, someone who once saw the beauty in this sport, in this life.

So now you ask, what’s next?

Pausing. Taking a minute to breathe deeply. Reveling in how far I’ve come. And giving myself permission to just be.

The post Life After Tokyo – What’s Next? appeared first on JOOLA Global.

Team JOOLA was well-represented and we were pleased to see our athletes returning to the highest levels of competition and giving it their best on the table.

The first medal was won by Lubomir Pistej in the mixed doubles, with long-time partner Barbora Balazova. The two reached the final of the event, taking home a silver medal – a positive result for the World Ranked 6 pairing as they prepare for the biggest event of their careers in just a month’s time.

Pistej fought boldly through injury to push the team through to the final, with an exciting victory over the French pairing of Gauzy/Pavade in the semifinals. The Slovakian pairing faced a 2-1 deficit in the match before beating the pressure to win the fourth game a closely-contended 13-11. From there the momentum was in their favor, sealing out the match 11-4 in the deciding 5^th game.

The final would prove a challenging task and the German pair of Dang and Mittelham were crowned champions. A great showing and an impressive medal to add to the career accolades of Lubomir Pistej, congratulations.

The star of the show was Team JOOLA’s Petrissa Solja, who took home two gold medals at the event.

In the Women’s Doubles event she paired with German compatriot Shan Xiaona to earn her second title in the event – having first won in 2013 with Sabine Winter.

The pair survived a scare in the quarterfinal stages against Luxembourg’s pairing of Sarah de Nutte and European veteran Ni Xia Lian. Trailing 2-1, they closed out two games at 11-5 to secure a place in the semifinal and guarantee a medal.

That same determination in the face of a losing scoreline would certainly come back to help them in the final, where they also fought back from 2-1 down against teammates Mittelham and Winter.

The fighting spirit and the combination of Shan’s short pips penhold and Solja’s left handed offensive game made for a highly entertaining final showdown, one which could have easily gone either way.

With the doubles gold in hand, it was on to the prestigious singles event, and Solja wasted no time in beginning her battle towards the podium.

By the finest of margins she overcame Poland’s Natalia Bajor, going the full 7-game distance and clutching tight games 13-11 and 11-9 to bounce back from 3-2 behind to close out a very nerve-wracking encounter.

The next round would give her no rest either, as she faced yet another enduring 7-game match, this time against Portugal’s Fu Yu – the 2019 European Games champion.

It was a strong start for Solja, who soared to an early lead, winning the first 3 games and asserting a strong position in the match. Fu was far from done, knuckling down to level at 3-3, but a strong refocus and adjustments from Solja allowed her to halt the momentum and take the final game 11-4, ending Fu’s comeback hopes and advancing into the semifinal stage.

With a medal guaranteed, the matches were only getting tougher. In the semifinal Solja overcame a spirited and in-form Elizabeta Samara in 6 games, setting up a finals showdown with her own doubles partner and teammate Shan Xiaona.

It was an awkward start for both players, very familiar with each other’s game styles, in one of the most important matches of their careers.

Solja capitalized early off her heavy topspin rotation and exceptional fifth ball attack placements, locking up Shan on her traditional penhold backhand side in the corner, before unleashing devastating down the line forehands.

While the tactfulness and steady offense from Solja was proving pivotal in her gaining control of the match, she was also able to match the formidable speed of Shan’s attacking game in the rallies, returning even some of the fastest forehand attacks her opponent could offer.

It certainly looked like Solja was quickly gaining the upper hand, sealing the first three games in her favor, and just one away from a gold medal, in what would be her first ever Women’s Singles crown at the European Champs.

In the 4^th, Shan changed her approach up, opting to play a more passive control game. She steadied the pace in the rallies and looked for placements over all-out speed.

Knowing there was no room to allow for any further moves from Shan, a focused and determined Petrissa Solja returned to the table for the 5^th game, and she executed her game plan with perfection.

In the blink of an eye she held an 8-0 lead, looking confident as ever. A quick towel break and a deep breath as she held match point at 10-2, and Solja finished the job.

Europe Cup Champion in both 2018 and 2019, and now the 2020 European Champion in Women’s Singles. The gold medals continue to pile up for Petrissa Solja, we couldn’t be more proud of her – an outstanding role model for all young women in sport, and we know there are more amazing career titles to come!

Heartiest congratulations to Peti from Team JOOLA!

The post Solja Achieves 2 European Crowns, Pistej Takes Mixed Silver appeared first on JOOLA Global.