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Patrick Franziska
Anton Kallberg
Jonathan Groth
Dang Qiu
Andreas Levenko
Jakub Dyjas
Frane Kojic
Pavel Sirucek
Cedric Nuytinck
Vladimir Sidorenko
Omar Assar
Steffen Mengel
Jiri Vrablik
Marek Badowski
Jiri Martinko
Tomas Konecny
Viktor Brodd
Jakub Kleprlik
Nandor Ecseki
Andrej Gacina
Anders Lind
Tomas Tregler
Tomas Polansky
Tomokazu Harimoto
Vladimir Samsonov
Hugo Calderano
Konstantin Chernov
Bo Fang
Sadi Ismailov
Quentin Robinot
Yuto Muramatsu
Lubomir Jancarik
Mihai Bobocica
Yannick Vostes
Ganghyeon Park
Michal Bankosz
Jonghoon Lim
Jeongwoo Park
Yu Zhou
Seungmin Cho
Felipe Olivares
David Reitspies
Hampus Soderlund
David Serdaroglu
Olav Kosolosky
Aliaksandr Khanin
Chia-Hung Sun
Dmitrij Prokopcov
Adam Szudi
Robert Floras
Wikipedia - European Champions League (table tennis)
European Champions League (ECL) is the seasonal table tennis competition for the highest ranked European club teams and is regarded as the most important international club competition in Europe. It is organised by the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) and replaced the European Club Cup of Champions (ECCC), the previous prominent club competition, since the 1998/99 season. Originally there was only a men's competition; a women's competition was introduced in the 2005/06 season. The competition starts in September and the champions are usually determined in May in recent years.
German club Borussia Düsseldorf is the most successful club in the history of the men's competition, having won the competition seven times and being the runners-up three times, while Belgian club La Villette Charleroi and Russian club Fakel Gazprom both have won five titles.
In the women's competition, TTC Berlin Eastside from Germany has won the league five times, making it the most successful club.
History
The Men's Champions League was first organised in the 1998/99 season, with the aim to replace the European Club Cup of Champions, the previous highest level European club competition held since 1960/61 season. In the second season (99/00), the playing system was changed. The maximum number of games had been reduced from seven to five, and the double had been cancelled, with the aim of having a better presentation on TV and more excitement for the spectators. The competition came into a new era in 2005/06, when the Women's Champions League started with eight clubs and the men's league was expanded from 8 to 16 clubs, enabling a greater number of nations to participate. These changes were undertaken in the hopes of making table tennis more popular in a European level as well as motivating the coming generation. However, the number of teams in the women's competition decreased from eight to six in season 09/10.
In season 10/11, because of the Great Recession, there were just four teams entering the women's competition, a number lower than the previous year (there were six teams in season 09/10). As a result, the women's competition was suspended for one year. The men's competition was also affected, causing the number of teams to decrease from 16 to 14.
The women's competition resumed in season 11/12, with six teams entering the competition. The number of teams in the men's competition was also restored to 16.
The tournament features a format similar to that of the UEFA Champions League in football, with teams representing various clubs or regions competing against each other. Each team consists of a group of talented players who have proven their prowess in national and international competitions.
The Champions League tournament is held annually and spans several weeks, providing an intense and thrilling experience for both players and spectators. The matches are played in state-of-the-art arenas equipped with top-notch facilities, ensuring a perfect setting for the players to showcase their abilities.
The tournament follows a round-robin format, where teams compete against each other in a series of matches. The matches are played in a best-of-five sets format, with each set being a race to 11 points. The team that wins the majority of the sets is declared the winner of the match.
As the tournament progresses, the stakes get higher, and the intensity of the matches reaches its peak. The top-performing teams advance to the knockout stages, where they face off in thrilling and nerve-wracking matches. The knockout stages culminate in a grand finale, where the two best teams battle it out for the coveted title of Champions League champions.
The Champions League tournament not only showcases the incredible talent and skill of the players but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and unity among the table tennis community. It brings together players from different backgrounds and cultures, creating a melting pot of diversity and sportsmanship.
The Champions League is not only a platform for players to showcase their abilities but also an opportunity for fans to witness the highest level of table tennis. The tournament attracts a large and passionate audience, who come together to support their favorite teams and players.
In conclusion, the Champions League table tennis tournament is a thrilling and prestigious event that showcases the best of the sport. With its intense matches, top-notch facilities, and a global gathering of talented players, it is an event that captivates both players and spectators alike.