2009-04-12

Omar Assar Wins the Title on Home Soil  

Egypt’s rising star Omar Assar is the winner of the 2009 Egypt Junior Open. The 17 year old was seeded number two and overcame in a dream final Germany’s top seeded Patrick Franziska 4-0. The result, however, does not reflect the balance of power. Franziska had two game points in the first and one in the second game. The match could have been different but Assar proved to be an unshakable front runner and prevailed finally without much problems in front of the home crowd. Quotes about the Boys’ Final Omar Assar said: “My experience helped me. I played him last year in Tunisia and won the match closely. Patrick (Franziska) has improved his playing level, but I learned how to play him. The advice of my coach helped and in the close situations I focused only on the point.”

2009-04-12

ITTF President back in Home Town 

Adham Sharara, head of the International Table Tennis Federation, was born in Cairo. The Canadian came back to the Egyptian capital after an invitation by the organisers. Sharara held meetings, could verify the African progress in table tennis and will open the African Juniors Championships that starts immediately after the ITTF Junior Circuit Finals. More Events to Develop All Countries The ITTF president is a busy man in Cairo. Everybody seems to know him or somebody that knows him. Shaking hands here and holding small talks there. “I was always invited, but I couldn’t come”, Sharara said. Finally the president found the time and he does not only watch table tennis. “I meet here with African representatives, and it’s interesting to hear their needs.”

2009-04-12

Omar Assar and three Germans in the Semis  

Three players of Coach Georg Imhof reached the semi-finals of the Junior Singles event at the Egypt Junior Open in Cairo. The boys from “Deutschland” played highly concentrated in the morning session and to the cost of Romania’s Hunor Szِcs and Paraguay’s Marcelo Aguirre. Only local boy Omar Assar can spoil the party of the Germans. The Egyptian eliminated already one, Robin Malessa, and seems willing to win the home event.

2009-04-11

Hirici Finds Focus again and Wins Early Giants Clash  

Romania’s Cristina Hirici entered the quarter-finals on the penultimate day at the Egypt Junior Open in Cairo. The top seeded Hirici had an unexpected defeat in the group matches and therefore she already had to play against Germany’s Kathrin Mühlbach in the second round of the main draw, Mühlbach is seeded third in Cairo.

2009-04-11

Dancing and Winning  

It was a stiff piece of work for Abiodun Lawal before he and especially his fans could celebrate the second round win in the Junior Boys’ Singles event. Mohammed Al Saeed of Saudi Arabia proved to be a tough opponent. However, Lawal had an extra motivation on the stands. A handful of supporters were cheering for him after each point, dancing, clapping and laughing.

2009-04-11

Talented Egyptian Boy Proceeds in the Main Draw  

Shady Magdy reached the second round of the Junior Boys’ Singles event at the penultimate day of the Junior Circuit Egypt Open in Cairo. He overcame Grace Babekidio of Congo Brazzaville 4-1 in the first round of the main draw. The only 13 year old plays in the Junior as well as in the Cadet event. Even though he may not yet be good enough to beat the best Juniors, Shady Magdy is a serious candidate for a top position in the Cadet Singles.

2009-04-11

On the Way to the Top  

Not less than 64 players of the host country are on duty at the Egypt Junior Circuit Open in Cairo. But it is not the quantity that is remarkable. The North African country also has several top players in different age groups and its table tennis association convinces with an exemplary organisation. How come, why in Egypt and what about the future? An expert of the Egyptian table tennis describes the situation.

2009-04-11

Hiccups for Romanians as Underdogs Succeed  

All Romanian players qualified for the second stage at the Egypt Junior Open in Cairo on 10th April 2009. However, there were some unexpected defeats against an Egyptian girl and a Jordanian boy. More and more the players from the big table tennis nations have to take care against the �no-names� even though the opponent is five years younger. Twelve Year Old Ziad Aziz in Champion�s Manner Jordan�s youngster Ziad Aziz shocked number nine seeded Mihai Sargu. The twelve year old was 2-0 ahead when the Romanian favourite stroke back and equalised. The whole delegation of the Eastern European country has assembled behind table number nine to support their team-mate. Ziad Aziz for his part still believed in a win. The five years younger player is estimated 40 centimetres shorter than Sargu, but it was the Romanian who had to move much more. Against all odds Aziz prevailed and made an important step towards a good self-confidence.

2009-04-10

Egypt’s Assar Brothers Win in Cairo  

In the final of the Boys’ Team event, Omar and Khalid Assar prevailed against the boys from Germany with 3-1. The one year older Omar won all his matches and is also top favourite for the title in the Singles event played until Sunday

2009-04-10

Romanian Boy Loses Match but Wins Respect as Germany Prevails  

There are moments in sport when the locked door to success opens a tiny little bit; a flower of hope arises from the soil of desperation. In their semi-final against Germany, exactly such a situation appeared for the Romanian Junior boys. In the crucial fifth match, Mihai Sargu could have put his team in the final. His performance was not good enough to beat Ricardo Walther, but the Romanian never forgot a very important thing: sportsmanship.