2011 European Veterans Table Tennis Championships

Full house at the Tipsport arena has witnessed the opening ceremony of Veteran European Championships in table tennis. Almost two and a half thousand players has been welcomed by the tournament director Milan Šimáček: "Your presence is contributing the highest participation ever in the history of veterans' championships. For this you deserve many thanks," he said. The official opening took the EETU Vice president Eberhard Schöler. He expreesed his satisfaction especially with the high number of players in the categories over 75 years. "This is again a sign that table tennis keeps you fit and reduces the effects of age," said Schöler.

The enthusiastic audience saw the rich cultural program. There was promenade of flags of participating countries accompanyied by the country video introducion, which ran on a giant cube in the middle of the hall. Ceremony was started by the original drumming show. Czech national anthem was performed by the childern choir Severáček. About an hour-long performance was finished by pierrots on stilts called Long vehicle Circus, who displayed an unusual pantomime match in table tennis. A record number of veterans begin fight for medals since Monday morning.
Photo: 2011 EVC Event Director Milan Šimáček and ETTU Vice-president Eberhard Schöler have just opened 9th EVTTC in Liberec