Newfanzone Bookies Corner (Game Week 16)

This is Game week 16 of our Bookies corner where we help Punters forecast on the best matches to put their money on.

Paul Ayorinde’s (@el_pauleta) predictions:

Italian Serie A

Udinese V Inter Milan- Double chance on Inter Milan:

After winning three matches on a trot, Udinese lost last weekend against high-flying Fiorentina while Inter Milan got a slim victory against Genoa. I expect this match to be tough for Mancini’s men,so i tip Inter Milan to get at least a point away from home on Saturday night.

Juventus V Fiorentina- Both teams to score (BTTS):

Juventus continued their resurgence defeating Lazio at Stadio Olympico in Game week 15 while Fiorentina thrashed Udinese 3-0 last weekend. This match promises to be a cracker and I expect it to be entertaining and full of goals. I am tipping both teams to score at the Juventus stadium on Sunday night.

English Premier League

Norwich V Everton- Double Chance on Everton:

Norwich lost against Watford in Game week 15 while Everton got a draw at home against Crystal Palace. I tip Everton to get at least a point at Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester City V Swansea- Man City win:

Manchester City were outplayed in their 2-0 loss to Stoke City in Game week 15 while Swansea’s defeat to Leicester last weekend cost Garry Monk his job. Manchester City will be looking to get back to winning ways when they play Swansea who has just one win in their last 11 matches. I tip Manchester City to win at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon.

Aston Villa V Arsenal- Arsenal win:

Aston Villa got a morale boosting draw at St Mary’s in Game week 15 while Arsenal defeated Sunderland 3-1 at the Emirates. Aston Villa manager Remi Garde will face his former manager Arsene Wenger in a match that promises to be entertaining. I expect Arsenal’s attack to be too strong for a week Aston Villa defence. I tip Arsenal to win convincingly at Villa park.

Spanish Liga BBVA

Eibar V Valencia- Double chance on Valencia:

Eibar lost 1-2 against Real Sociedad in Game week 14 while Valencia got a draw against defending champions Barcelona at the Mestalla. This will be Gary Neville’s first La Liga game as Valencia’s coach and i expect his side to put up a good peformance. I tip Valencia to get at least a draw at Estadio Municipal de Ipurúa on Sunday afternoon.

Villarreal V Real Madrid- Both teams to score (BTTS): Villarreal got a 2-1 win against Rayo Vallecano last weekend while Real Madrid defeated Getafe 4-1 at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Both sides play attacking football,so am expecting an entertaining match with lots of goals. I tip Both teams to score at Estadio El Madrigal on Sunday night.

German Bundesliga

Mainz V Stuttgart-Double Chance on Mainz:

Mainz defeated Hamburg 3-1 away from home last weekend while Stuttgart got a 1-1 draw against Werder Bremen. I tip Mainz to get at least a point at home on Friday night.

Borussia Dortmund V Eintracht Frankfurt- Dortmund win:

Dortmund got a massive result last weekend when they defeated Wolfsburg 2-1 away from home while Eintracht Frankfurt lost at home against Darmstadt.
I expect Thomas Tuchel’s men to be too strong for Frankfurt,so i tip Borussia Dortmund to win at home on Sunday.

French Ligue 1

Angers V Bordeaux- Double chance on Angers:

Angers continued their fairy tale season when they defeated Olympique Lyon away from home 2-0 last weekend while Bordeaux defeated Guingamp 1-0. I tip Angers to get at least a point at home on Sunday afternoon.

Ademola Adejuwon’s (@demydemo) predictions:

French Ligue 1

PSG vs Lyon- Over 1.5 goals:

Lyon has been disappointing so far in the league as they see themselves lying in 5th position behind the likes of Caen & Angers. Top scorer last season, Alexander Lacazette has been struggling to get goals this season as they also bowed out of the UCL during the week. PSG have been in fantastic form in the league this season and are yet to lose a game in the league. With the firepower of Zlatan,Cavani & Di Maria the Parisians have it in them to score goals when Lyon come visiting.

German Bundesliga

Bayern Munich vs Ingolstadt- Bayern win:

Bayern will look to bounce back from their defeat to Borussia Moenchengladbach last week with a win over newcomers Ingolstadt. Ingolstadt have won more games away from home this season than when playing at home and they might hope to shock the Bavarians at the Allianz Arena. Bayern are at their imperious best and they’ve also welcomed back Frank Ribery to the squad which will further boost their attacking prowess. The only surprise I see in this game is Bayern Munich not scoring more than 4 goals past Ingolstadt.

Bayern Leverkusen vs Borrusia Moenchengladbach- Over 1.5 goals:

In form Moenchengladbach travel to face Bayern Leverkusen this weekend on the back of their famous win against defending champions Bayern Munich last weekend. Bayern Leverkusen have been relatively poor this season with 6 wins out of 15 games. The two sides got eliminated from the UCL this week and will now look to divert all their attention to the Bundesliga to see if they can also get back to the UCL next season. This game would be a very tricky one but both sides would definitely get goals.

GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 27: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Dortmund celebrates his team’s first goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund at Veltins Arena on September 27, 2014 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Borussia Dortmund vs Eintracht Frankfurt- Dortmund Double Chance:

Dortmund seem to be closing the gap on league leaders Bayern Munich and they know that they need to be consistently racking up the 3 Points if they want to challenge for the Bundesliga title this season. Frankfurt have conceded 10 goals away from home this season,and also the form of Meier and Seferovic have dwindled a bit which have left them in 13th place on the log. Dortmund can be very erratic,but playing at the home,the least they would get is a draw.

Italian Serie A

AC Milan vs Verona- Milan Win:

Milan welcome bottom place Hellas Verona to the San Siro. Verona have not won any game this season as their form continue to dwindle. Milan haven’t been too convincing also this season even though they bought the likes of Bacca and Luiz Adriano. They drew last time out away to 19th place Carpi, but this time I think Milan knows all the three points is essential if they have to compete with the big boys in the league, knowing most of them have tricky fixtures this weekend.

Napoli vs Roma- Over 2.5 goals:

Two free scoring sides go head to head this weekend. Napoli are 3rd in the league and they surprisingly lost last time out against Bologna. The two teams are through to the next round of the various competitions they are in Europe this season. Roma and Napoli are two free scoring sides that hardly play the typical Italian way. We would expect to see goals in this mouth watering fixture come this weekend.

Luis Suarez

Spanish LA Liga

Barcelona vs Deportivo- Barcelona Win:

It’s a surprise knowing Barcelona have not won in their last two games. The Catalan giants would like to get back to winning ways this weekend as Deportivo comes to the Camp Nou . The MSN will once again bail Barcelona out even if Deportivo tries to be dogged as possible.

Villarreal vs Real Madrid- Madrid Double Chance:

The yellow submarines were once on the top of the LA Liga table but they now find themselves in 5th position after they had a couple of bad results. Villarreal won’t want to meet Madrid at this moment because of the form of Ronaldo and Benzema,but Madrid can also become a very conservative side in a tricky game like this, so Real Madrid might settle for a point.

English Premier League

Aston Villa vs Arsenal- Arsenal Double Chance:

Aaron Ramsey
Arsenal Vs Liverpool
photo credit: joshjdss
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

Arsenal travel to the Villa park to take on Aston Villa who are still struggling to get out of the relegation waters this season.

Arsenal got a victory on their last visit to Villa Park and have won their last 3 meetings against Aston Villa in all competitions. The EPL is very unpredictable this season as even the big boys falter almost every weekend. Arsenal shouldn’t have problem getting past Aston Villa and with the form of Giroud and Ozil in attack for the Gunners,a draw should be the least expectation.

Leicester vs Chelsea- over 1.5 goals:

Table Toppers Leicester City host Chelsea this weekend. It’s been contrasting fortunes for both teams this season. Leicester City have found it easy to score goals in the league unlike their visitors. In Jamie Vardy and Algerian Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City are guaranteed of getting a goal against Chelsea this weekend. Leicester run of fixtures this month are tough and a win against the defending champions will give them more confidence to prosecute their remaining fixtures. Chelsea on the other hand,also need a victory against Leicester at the Kingpower Stadium knowing a victory might as well put their season right back on track. So,goals are guaranteed in this pulsating fixture come Monday night.

2nd Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Mini Tournament Kicks-Off On Saturday the 12th of December 2015

The 2015 Edition Of the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Mini Tournament Kicks off this Saturday the 12th of December 2015 at the Onikan Stadium Lagos. Following a very successful first outing in 2014 and also due to increased interest in the tournament the organizers have decided to make it bigger to accommodate a few more teams.

The Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Mini Tournament which was first staged last year as a one day event at the Campos Mini Stadium on Lagos Island and it is put together by friends and colleagues of Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi as part of activities to mark the Birthday of the Football Administrator who also happens to be the Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) and 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Seyi Akinwunmi has been involved in charity work for over ten years now and the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Mini Tournament as been put to together to raise funds for the various charity work that the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Foundation is involved in.

One of the major highlights of Last year’s event was the star match between the star studded Lagos All Star Team led by erstwhile Governor of Lagos State Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN and The association of professional footballers of Nigeria (APFON) Selected side, The Lagos team All Stars won the match by 4 goals to one.

This year’s Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Mini Tournament will run for three weekends in December with the first set of games kicking off this weekend Saturday the 12th of December 2015 at the Onikan Stadium.

A total of 8 (eight) teams have been drawn into two groups of 4 (four) teams each, which will see the two best teams in each group qualify for the semi-finals while finalist will emerge thereafter.

The opening game of the Tournament will see Team E-600 take on Team MTN kick-off is 9am at the Onikan Waterfront, this game will be followed by 36 Lion Investments versus BURUJ immediately after the first game also at the Onikan Stadium.

Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, NFF 1st vice president and LSFA chairman with some of the Kids that took part in last year’s SACMT

The Third game of the day will commence at the 1pm between Team LCM and Team WOZA, followed immediately by the last game of the day Between Team ICOBA and Team TRINITY HOUSE at 3pm also at the Onikan Stadium.

Sunday the 13th of December will see all the teams converge at the Capos Mini Stadium for the second round of games. Team E-600 will once again play the first game of the day as they take ON Team ICOBA this game is scheduled to kick off at 9am, this will be followed by the game between Team BURUJ vs Team LCM, while the 1pm kick off is between Team WOZA and 36 LION INVESTMENT. Team MTN versus Team TRINITY HOUSE is the last game of the day and its scheduled to kick off at 3pm.

Speaking during the draws Chairman Of the LOC Mr Mojeed Adegbindin explained that the Charity mini Tournament was expanded to accommodate more teams hence the need to spread the games across 3 weekends in December.

Adegbindin stated that All the eight teams participating in the Tournament will return to the Onikan Stadium in Lagos Island on Sunday the 20th of December for the last set of group games.

Team BURUJ will tackle Team WOZA in the first game of the tournament at 9am followed by TeamTRINITY HOUSE who will square-off against Team E-600, The third game of the day is between 36 LION INVESTMENT and,Team LCM, the final game of the group stages is between Team ICOBA and Team MTN.

The top team from group A will face off with the second placed team from Group in the first Semi-Final game, while the top team from Group B will do battle with the Second placed team from Group A.

former Governor of Lagos Barister Babatunde Raji Fashola Speaking to the media after leading his Lagos All Star team to victory at the SACMT 2014

Member of the LOC and President of the Nigeria Referees Association Alhaji Tade Azeez revealed that The Final game of the Tournament will take place on 27th of December 2015 at the Campos mini Stadium Lagos, and it will be preceded by an exhibition game between the Lagos Based Glo NPFL Flag Bearers MFM FC and Ikorodu United FC. “This is to show Lagosians what the new NPFL Season has got in store for football loving Lagosians who have been clamouring for top flight football in Lagos for years now”

Azeez also seized the opportunity to call on Corporate Nigeria and also well meaning individuals to come support the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Mini Tournament, as proceeds from the tournament will be used to support “Courage Education Foundation” a charitable organisation that is responsible for the the upkeep and education of well over 130 Indigent Nigerian Students, and several activities and projects of the foundation.

Governor’s Cup: End Of The Road For Nigeria…As Paul Bows To South African Star

Nigeria’s interest in the 15th Governor’s Cup was ended on Thursday as the country’s last hope in the singles of the $80, 000 prize-money championship, Christian Paul crashed out following a 6-1, 6-0 loss to South Africa’s Lloyd Harris at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Paul put up a great display to upset Ugandan Duncan Mugabe in the second round of the championship but he was no match for the fourth-seeded South African who wrapped up a convincing win in just over an hour.

Meanwhile, Thursday’s quarter final stage seems to be a day of upsets as many of the seeded players could not make it pass this stage.

Number 2 seed in the men’ singles Spain’s Pere Riba could not finish his match against number 5 seed, Sadio Doumbia as he retired in the second set of their game which ended 6-2,2-0. Zimbabwe’s Takanyi Garanganga, who is number 5 seed stopped Antal Van Der Duim of The Netherlands in straight set of 6-4,6-0.

In the women’s singles, tournament number 1 seed, Sherazad Reix of France could not complete the first set of her game against Norwegian Ulrikke Eikeri. The match was called off at 4-0 with Eikeri leading. Number 8 seed, Tessah Andrianjafitrimo of France upset Bulgarian Julia Terziyska, number 3 seed in straight set of 6-1,4-1 retired. Conny Perrin of Switzerland beat Prarthana Thombare 7-5, 6-2.

Men singles final 2014
photo credit; governorscuplagostennis.com

Number 1 seed in the men’s singles, Bosnia’s Aldin Setkic won his game against Benin Republic’s Alexis Klegou in straight sets of 6-0,6-3.

The semi final of the first leg holds Friday with Setkic meeting Harris, while Garangaga will face Doumbia in the men’s singles.

In the women’s singles, Eikeri will play against Andrianjafitrimo, while Perrin will battle Majeric.

The finals of Futures 3 will hold on Saturday with prize money and trophies presented to the winners in the singles and doubles events, while the second leg (Futures 4) starts immediately with the qualifying matches.

2014 Decider Kicks off 2015 World Tour Grand Finals

The world’s best table tennis stars have gathered in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon in preparation for the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals which starts today 10 December and runs until 13 December 2015.

Finalists at the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour last year in Bangkok, Europe’s top player Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) and Jun MIZUTANI (JPN) are set to an early face-off in the first round of the Men’s Singles event. MIZUTANI claimed the title eventually in Bangkok, but at their latest encounter at the Liebherr 2015 ITTF Men’s World Cup, it was OVTCHAROV who prevailed.

“It’s a very hard draw for the both of us,” shared OVTCHAROV after the draw ceremony. “We have played seven times in the last 12 months, of which I won four times, but he has won three out of the four times we played at major international tournaments, so the results is going to be very open.”

The 27-year-old German added “Often the one with the better start wins, but the scores will be very close. I will of course try my very best to win this!”

Local hero Marcos FREITAS (POR) has the toughest draw out of everyone, with the European Championships runner up facing world number one and World Champion MA Long in the first round.

The fans could also expect a matchup between the reigning World Champion DING Ning and newly crowned 2015 Female Table Tennis Star LIU Shiwen in the Women’s Singles event. The duo last played internationally at the epic gold medal match at the 2015 World Championships, where DING overcame her injury in the decider to take her second World Championships title.

2014 Finallists Ovtcharov & Mizutani will face off in the first round here in Lisbon

The GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour is the year-ending finale to the US$3,000,000 ITTF World Tour, whereby the top 16 singles and 8 doubles pairs qualified through collecting #Race2Lisbon points throughout the 2015 ITTF World Tour.

The GAC 2015 ITTF World Tour is split into three tiers (highest first): Super (6 events), Major (6 events), Challenge (11 events). The higher the series, the more prize money, world ranking points, Race to Lisbon points and higher quality of competition on offer.

In Memoriam: Swiss Olympian Max Hauri, 1941-2015

Swiss Olympian Max Hauri, who competed at the Games in Tokyo 1964 and Munich 1972, has passed away at his home in Seon (SUI), following a recent fall. He was 74.

On his first Olympic outing in Tokyo he finished 10th individually with Millview, just one fault behind Italy’s multiple Olympic medal winner Piero d’Inzeo. In Munich eight years later, he rode Haiti on the Swiss Jumping team that finished fifth, and was a member of the sixth-placed Eventing team with Red Baron.

Swiss Jumping champion from 1960, he competed on more than 50 FEI Nations Cup™ teams for Switzerland. But he was far more than just a top athlete, he was also a highly respected trainer and was brilliant at talent-spotting horses that could make their mark at the highest level of the sport.

Max Hauri built his father’s cattle and horse trading operation up to become one of the leading competition and trade stables. His two sons Markus and Thomas, both international riders in their own right, took over running this successful business following their father’s injury in a riding accident two years ago.

Max Hauri discovered countless top horses on his regular buying trips to Ireland, including two of Rodrigo Pessoa’s top rides, Special Envoy and Tomboy, and Vivaldi, the horse that Nelson Pessoa rode on the Brazilian team at the first FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Stockholm (SWE).

He also found the wonderful little chestnut mare Jessica for his sister, Heidi Robbiani. The pair went on to take individual bronze at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where the Swiss team finished fifth.
Max Hauri also took numerous Irish riders under his wing, including Peter Leonard, Eddie Moloney, Noel Barry, Padraig McCarthy among many.

He also had a military career and was a captain in the Swiss cavalry squadron. On 5 December 1972 the Swiss National Council approved the controversial abolition of the cavalry regiment. Max Hauri, long-time commander of the squadron, initiated a commemoration which continues today at civilian and military events.

Swiss Olympic Jumping rider Max Hauri passed away this week at the age of 74.

“Max was a Swiss Olympian, an officer and a gentleman, a horseman through and through who competed at the highest level throughout his life”, FEI Director of Jumping John Roche said. “He had an incredible eye for a horse which he demonstrated time and time again by the amazing horses that passed through his hands, such as Jessica, Special Envoy, Tomboy and Vivaldi. His presence will be greatly missed by us all.”

The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Max Hauri’s family, many friends, the Swiss National Federation and the global Jumping and Eventing community.

FIM MOTOGP CHAMPIONSHIP 2015 VALENTINO ROSSI WITHDRAWS APPEAL FILED AT COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT

Valentino Rossi has withdrawn the appeal filed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the FIM Stewards’ decision to impose 3 penalty points on his record following an incident with another rider during the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix race held on 25 October 2015.

In his appeal to the CAS, Mr Rossi sought the annulment of the penalty, or at least a reduction from 3 points to 1, since on the basis of the FIM Regulations, a rider with 4 penalty points must start the next race from last grid position. Together with his appeal, Mr Rossi filed an urgent application to stay the execution of the challenged decision in order not to lose his place on the starting grid at the final event of the season which was held in Valencia/Spain on 6-8 November 2015.

On 5 November 2015, the Sole Arbitrator appointed by mutual agreement of the parties, Prof. Ulrich Haas (Germany), dismissed Valentino Rossi’s request to stay the execution of the challenged decision. The Sole Arbitrator found that the conditions to grant the stay were not met, and accordingly, Valentino Rossi began the Valencia race from the last grid position.

VALENTINO ROSSI
photo credit: Navian
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode

Mr Rossi has now informed the CAS that he does not wish to continue with his appeal. Accordingly, the arbitration procedure has been terminated and the FIM decision will continue to remain in force.

France Football Federation Suspends Karim Benzema From International Duty…

France Football Federation suspends Karim Benzema from international duty amid ongoing Blackmail case

Karim Benzema
photo credit Action Lovers
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/legalcode

The French Football Federation (FFF) have suspended Karim Benzema from the national team over his alleged involvement in the Mathieu Valbuena sex tape scandal.

The decision to suspend the Real Madrid striker was announced by FFF president Noel Le Graet on Thursday and could jeopardise his involvement at next summer’s European Championship, which will be hosted by France.

“Today, Karim Benzema is no longer available for selection. It’s a personal decision (of mine), I have informed Deschamps,” Le Graet told a press conference on Thursday.

“Benzema will not be available for selection in March, nor for EURO 2016 if the situation has not evolved.”

He added: “The Benzema affair for me hurts, but I am sanctioning him because I am the president of the FFF. I would have liked to have had a face to face with him… but the law does not permit me to do so.”

Muhammad Ali Stands Up For Muslims Worldwide

Former World Heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali on Wednesday in a Press Statement has rejected the recent onslaught on Muslim by Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump.

Trump On Monday had called for the temporary ban on Muslims from entering the United States following a spate of violent attacks by terrorist In Europe and even on American soil following the deadly attack by a radicalised couple in San Bernadino, California, USA.

The controversial Billionaire who as been very vocal with his attacks on various ethnic nationalities is arguably the top contender for the Republican Presidential Ticket, but he as come under a lot of attack for his utterance on Muslims on monday.

The Muhammad Ali Statement didn’t mention Trump specifically but it is obvious that it was written in response to Trump’s statement.

“I am a Muslim and there is nothing Islamic about killing innocent people in Paris, San Bernardino, or anywhere else in the world,” Ali said in the statement. “True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so called Islamic Jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion.”

“I believe that our political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam and clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted people’s views on what Islam really is,” he Said.

Several World leaders and even fellow Republican and Democratic Presidential Aspirants have also condemned Trump’s Call of the ban of Muslim Entering America.

ICC announces OPPO as Global Partner

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced an exciting new global partnership with OPPO, one of the world’s leading mobile telephone device companies, on a four-year deal which runs from 2016 until 2020.

Launched in China in 2004, OPPO is a young and dynamic company and has already established itself as one of the world’s leading electronic and technology service providers. It has a strong presence in more than 20 countries and a significant number of regions worldwide, including Australia, China, USA and right across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Commenting on the new partnership, ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “The ICC is delighted to welcome OPPO on board as a Global Partner and we are excited about the opportunity to team up for the next four years. OPPO is one of the market leaders in its field with an impressive worldwide presence, especially in territories where the game of cricket continues to grow and, in a lot of cases, flourish.

“OPPO has strong brand values on innovation and integrity, which are closely aligned with the ICC’s, and we believe that by partnering with OPPO, we can extend cricket’s reach even further. We look forward to working closely with them for the foreseeable future.”

Mr. Sky Li, Vice President of OPPO and Managing Director Of International Mobile Business, said, “OPPO is very enthusiastic about supporting international cricket, and cooperating with the ICC in bringing cricket fans more of the world-class competitions that the organization is known for. The partnership will allow us to continue to strengthen our links with consumers, as we join them in celebrating the great sport of cricket.”

IBF Strips Fury Of Title

The IBF has stripped British World Boxing Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury of IBF Belt after agreeing to a rematch With former champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Fury had signed a rematch clause with Klitschko before their title fight in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The IBF number one challenger is Vyacheslav Glazkov, but Fury’s signing of a rematch clause with Wladimir Klitschko has prompted The IBF to strip him of his title, so the 31 year old Glazkov who’s got a 21-1 record would most likely be given a chance to fight for the IBF Heavyweight Title.

Fury still holds the WBA, WBO titles while Deontay Wilder of America holds the WBC Heavyweight belt.

Ma Long & Liu Shiwen are the 2015 Male & Female Table Tennis Stars

2015 World Champion MA Long, and 2015 Women’s World Cup Champion LIU Shiwen are the respective 2015 ITTF Male & Female Table Tennis Stars at the 2015 ITTF Star Awards.

The 2015 ITTF Star Awards was held on 9 December at the Patio da Gala in Lisbon, Portugal, to honor and celebrate the table tennis stars, athletes and coaches, for their achievements in 2015. Eight prestigious awards were given out on star-studded evening in the city’s emblematic landmark.

The two most eyed awards of the year, the Male and Female Table Tennis Stars were determined by the 60,000 public votes from fans all around the world, combined with the judging results from an expert panel consisting of ITTF Athletes’ Commission, the ITTF President, and various international media.

A star filled selfie of all the 2015 ITTF Star Award winners

Hot favourite for the night, MA did not disappoint the majority of the fans who voted for him on the ITTFStarAwards.com voting page to claim the 2015 Male Table Tennis Star Awards presented by Seamaster, after becoming the 2015 World Champion and 2015 Men’s World Cup Champion.

After fending off contest from compatriot FAN Zhendong, European Champion Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, and 2014 World Tour Grand Finals Champion Jun MIZUTANI, the current world number one shared “Thank you for the award and to everyone who has supported me, this award is recognition of my best ever year in 2015. This award means a lot as it’s the first time I have won it and I want to win it again and again. I will continue to work hard and success next year.”

The Female Table Tennis Star Awards presented by Nittaku saw hot contest between DING Ning (CHN), Kasumi ISHIKAWA (CHN), LIU Shiwen (CHN), and Petrissa SOLJA (GER). It was LIU who secured the most votes to take home the prestigious award with her.

The four time Women’s World Cup title holder stated: “It is a great honour to receive this award; my thanks to the ITTF and everyone who has supported me. This award is a very special way to finish 2015 and I hope for even more success in the Olympic year next year.”

2014 ITTF Star Awards Winner Aruna Quadri

The ‘Point of the Century’ played by FANG Bo and MA Long at the Qoros 2015 World Championships Men’s Singles final that generated over 2 million views on YouTube, was also named the 2015 Table Tennis Star Point presented by DHS.

The Male and Female Table Tennis Stars for the Para Table Tennis category went to Indonesia’s Class 9 player David Jacobs and Serbia’s Borislava PERIC-RANKOVIC (Class 3) respectively for their achievements in the 2015 Continental Para Championships and Para events around the world.

With the spectacular results posted by the Chinese team in 2015, the Head Coach LIU Guoliang was the natural winner for the Star Coach of the year presented by Butterfly.

Winners at 2015 ITTF Star Awards

New to the 2015 ITTF Star Awards, a Breakthrough Star award presented by TMS International was given out to Japan’s 15-year-old sensation Mima ITO. ITO was not only the youngest ever winner of an ITTF World Tour event, but also made it to the Japanese Olympic team line up for Rio 2016 Olympic Games at a young age of 14.

In addition, a Fair Play Star award was handed out to Linor CITAKU and Vlona MALOKU from Kosovo for their act of fair play at the Qoros 2015 World Championships. The pair lent their spare rackets to their opponents in the first round of the mixed doubles competition who failed their racket testing, to ensure that the match continued.