Yes, I recall that as well. Do you see a causal relationship between having players with longevity and lack of development in young players?
I don't, necessarily. However, perhaps it does take a great one like Stellan Bengtsson to nourish a next generation of players, and be eclipsed by them even while still at the top yourself.
Maybe there just isn't always a next generation ready to take over the torch. Would you say those over thirty years should retire anyway, even if the heirs apparent haven't made waves yet?
It is very simple to understand.
new generation comes up and if good enough, they kindof force the old generation into retirement. The team is only 5 players and eventually replacement/transitions will occur.
If new generation is weak, then old generation can stay on for a long long long long long long time.
This shows me and the world that the new generation is weaker and cannot take over - this should raise an alarm bell. Don't you agree???
There is nothing wrong for a player to play on forever, but in the bigger picture, that one good = many major issues going on in his/her country.
When last did Kreanga play world events?
I would say he kindof retired already, and now coming back.
Why? is he still able to beat fellow Greeks? what happened to the next gen/ next next gen/ next next next gen?
Maze I know retired and coming back to world events.
What happen to his next gens?
I guess there is a different between my view and your view.
you see the player, I see the entire table tennis structure.
Sweden's fall of TT today is because they relied way too much on 1 or few players, and when those greats moved on, there was no one to pick it up.
A sad reality that Sweden has less than 10k registered players today. Compared to rising countries like Taiwan with 200k
I guess for most fans, they just care about the action, and not too worreid about the entire eco system.
For TT to strive on a global scale of things, the TT eco system needs to be healthy.
Old players taking limited spots in WTTC is also not a good sign to have....