Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus will lead the European team in the first leg of the Europe versus Asia All Stars Series to be staged in Beijing, China’s capital city, from Tuesday 13th to Thursday 15th April 2010.
Once again, as last year, Germany’s Timo Boll will not be present for the Asian stage of proceedings.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Samsonov played in both Beijing and in Istanbul and he met with success. In Beijing he beat Korea’s Joo Se Hyuk, in Istanbul he accounted for Hong Kong’s Li Ching.
Reigning European Champion on Duty
Three times the European Men’s Singles champion, Samsonov is joined by Denmark’s Michael Maze, the current European champion and like Samsonov impressive in 2009 against Asian adversaries.
Vladimir Samsonov in determined mood Photo By: Alex Lomaev
In Beijing he beat Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan and Hong Kong’s Cheung Yuk whilst in Istanbul, like Samsonov, he overcame Li Ching.
Impressive Ovtcharov
Lining up alongside Vladimir Samsonov and Michael Maze will be Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov, Austria’s Werner Schlager and the evergreen Swede, Jörgen Persson.
Timo Boll may be missing but the inclusion of Ovtcharov in the Beijing leg may well be a very shrewd move; last year he remained unbeaten in China accounting for both Cheung Yuk and Korea’s Joo Se Hyuk. In 2010, Europe will be hoping he can repeat similar feats.
World Champions
Dimitrij Ovtcharov has yet to win the “big one”; something all other members of the team have achieved. Men’s Singles European champions in the case of Michael Maze and Vladimir Samsonov, World champions in the case of Jörgen Persson.
And Werner Schlager.
Top class table tennis and thrilling duels await with 2009 seeing honours shared.
Second Series
The second leg of the 2010 All Stars Series Europe versus Asia will be held in the Belgian city of Mons on on Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th October 2010.
