Europe Smash Sweden August 14-24 2025

[NextLevel]

Your two previous posts would have been more convincing if you hadn't argued with me over Duda for the past several months. Where is A. Lebrun now? Remember what you said about Quadri when he lost to Robles at WTTC 2023?

Alexis Lebrun is injured and recovering. He still hasnt lost a match to Duda.

I argued about Duda in the specific context that I just described but you are now claiming that over the past few months I argued in a different context which you can quote if you can find it. I won't hold my breath, I will just expect another misrepresentation. As a Craig Bryant fan, I consider Duda one of my favorite players. But at the time when Togami lost to Lebrun and Duda to Uda, I considered Alexis the superior player and at that time, the results showed it uncontroversially. Now Duda would be considered a clear top 10 player no caveats because he actually has the ranking and has beaten the players. And Uda could not get a game off this version of Duda. Which further supports my point.

 

[zeio]

I'm not sure why Hashimoto didn't use her reverse backhand serve more often. I think she used it three times total, first one was chiquita-ed nicely but the other two either gave her an outright point or nice setup IIRC. Still a very good tournament for her again, beating two CNT and stretched WMY to the limit. Easily the best performing non-CNT after Winter (1 CNT), Odo (ZYL). Even with 5 CNT knocked out (Kuai Man and HZJ cannibalised) we still have all China semis lol.

That said I'm not really sure what else Hashimoto could have done better. Less attacking errors maybe but that's what happens when you play under pressure. I fear she might have reached her ceiling already because the only way she can improve further is to become Joo Se Hyuk and I'm not sure if that's physically possible.

Hashimoto has done a fantastic job attacking on both FH and BH when compared to Sato who is still very resistant to it. In a way, you could say Hashimoto lost her cool and showed her hand too soon. WMY, despite her form, got plenty of time to adapt in a bo7.

As long as SYS and WMY are problem-free, they are untouchable. For the time being, Hashimoto's best course of action is to keep herself afloat by staying as close to top 10 (seeding position) for as long as possible to avoid running into her teammates, who would eat her for breakfast.

If CXT really strained her back playing DHK, then Winter's win would be put in doubt. Likewise, ZYL is now a part-time table tennis player just for fun, Odo's 0-4 loss to SXY is more problematic, in which she was beaten at her very own game. She has yet to display the capability to shoulder the burden when it really matters, especially in WT.

从前世界第一到兼职运动员，30岁后开始“玩”乒乓——专访国乒原主力朱雨玲
http://www.xinhuanet.com/sports/20250419/f70ffe4371f347faae1ddb1c31505667/c.html

朱雨玲：心智更成熟无惧颗粒打法变化多 以赛代练希望每场都有好表现
https://www.sohu.com/a/925838987_114977

 

[crystalline]

You're mixing up time zones between today and tomorrow - he has 6 hours more.

Sorry you are correct, it’s not 7am local time, men’s doubles final is 1pm and semi is 6pm.

My mistake, thanks for correcting

 

[NextLevel]

Hashimoto has done a fantastic job attacking on both FH and BH when compared to Sato who is still very resistant to it. In a way, you could say Hashimoto lost her cool and showed her hand too soon. WMY, despite her form, got plenty of time to adapt in a bo7.

As long as SYS and WMY are problem-free, they are untouchable. For the time being, Hashimoto's best course of action is to keep herself afloat by staying as close to top 10 (seeding position) for as long as possible to avoid running into her teammates, who would eat her for breakfast.

If CXT really strained her back playing DHK, then Winter's win would be put in doubt. Likewise, ZYL is now a part-time table tennis player just for fun, Odo's 0-4 loss to SXY is more problematic, in which she was beaten at her very own game. She has yet to display the capability to shoulder the burden when it really matters, especially in WT.

从前世界第一到兼职运动员，30岁后开始“玩”乒乓——专访国乒原主力朱雨玲
http://www.xinhuanet.com/sports/20250419/f70ffe4371f347faae1ddb1c31505667/c.html

朱雨玲：心智更成熟无惧颗粒打法变化多 以赛代练希望每场都有好表现
https://www.sohu.com/a/925838987_114977

Sabine took Wang Yidi to the 5th in a very close match. She destroyed Bernadette Szocs and Natalia Bajor. Against Chen Yi, while Chen Yi won 4-1, many of the games were blown leads that spoke to a very close match. Anyone putting doubts on Sabine's win as you are trying to do has their own agenda. If you are injured and can't play, don't go to the table. Many players would have no chance against an injured Chen XT. She obviously felt she could win or she wouldn't have gone to the table and won the first game. Sabine might not be as successful as people adapt to here but her level is high, anyone who doesn't want to accept what the video shows can make up their own reasons.

 

[rpb23]

The mixed double final is the most lopsided match of the day.
Korean's Lim is just too error-prone. He still has long way to get back the shape before his injury.

 

[rpb23]

Sabine took Wang Yidi to the 5th in a very close match. She destroyed Bernadette Szocs. Against Chen Yi, while Chen Yi won 4-1, many of the games were blown leads that spoke to a very close match. Anyone putting doubts on Sabine's win as you are trying to do has their own agenda. If you are injured and can't play, don't go to the table. Many players would have no chance against an injured Chen XT. She obviously felt she could win or she wouldn't have gone to the table and won the first game. Sabine might not be as successful as people adapt to here but her level is high, anyone who doesn't want to accept what the video shows can make up their own reasons.

With such a powerful forehand and athleticism, Sabine is a threat to many top women except maybe one or two of the best.
It's pity she didn't switch to anti sooner. Now age is the biggest issue for her.

 

[FIXPOINT]

Europe Smash - Sweden 2025 WS QF

Europe Smash - Sweden 2025 WS QF

 

[tzifos]

Excellent game. It is only my idea that Honoka was very close to beat Manyu ? just some very tiny small things and errors from her side.

Manyu played very nice the "slow spiny hi-arc" & "fast & direct" spin combination forcing Honoka to errors.

 

[allencorn]

I'm not sure why Hashimoto didn't use her reverse backhand serve more often. I think she used it three times total, first one was chiquita-ed nicely but the other two either gave her an outright point or nice setup IIRC. Still a very good tournament for her again, beating two CNT and stretched WMY to the limit. Easily the best performing non-CNT after Winter (CXT) and Odo (ZYL). Even with 5 CNT knocked out (Kuai Man and HZJ cannibalised) we still have all China semis lol.

That said I'm not really sure what else Hashimoto could have done better. Less attacking errors maybe but that's what happens when you play under pressure. I fear she might have reached her ceiling already because the only way she can improve further is to become Joo Se Hyuk and I'm not sure if that's physically possible.

That serve works best as a change up, and overusing loses its effectiveness. I’ve seen Hashimoto and Sato pull that out later in matches, often halfway through game 3, for a few easy points. The rest of the time they rely on their standard backhand serves, which are pretty nasty and deceptive on their own to all but the top players.

 

[FIXPOINT]

Europe Smash - Sweden 2025 WD Final

Europe Smash - Sweden 2025 MD Final

Europe Smash - Sweden 2025 XD Final

 

[Catenaccio]

I'm not sure why Hashimoto didn't use her reverse backhand serve more often. I think she used it three times total, first one was chiquita-ed nicely but the other two either gave her an outright point or nice setup IIRC. Still a very good tournament for her again, beating two CNT and stretched WMY to the limit. Easily the best performing non-CNT after Winter (CXT) and Odo (ZYL). Even with 5 CNT knocked out (Kuai Man and HZJ cannibalised) we still have all China semis lol.

That said I'm not really sure what else Hashimoto could have done better. Less attacking errors maybe but that's what happens when you play under pressure. I fear she might have reached her ceiling already because the only way she can improve further is to become Joo Se Hyuk and I'm not sure if that's physically possible.

Hashimoto made two serve erros, which is rare for her imo. At 0:3 in G6, she didn't even hit the ball. As you said, Hashimoto stretched WMY (who has an excellent record against choppers) to the limit. If WMY has a bad day, Hashimoto can win against her. I think Hashimoto is close to her ceiling, but there is always some room for improvement -- at least that's what I like to think.

In any event, it's fantastic that there is top chopper who can compete against most of the CNT and win against the majority of them. This makes the sport much more interesting! I woke up around 3am to watch the Hashimoto - WMY match and I can't remember when I last did that for a table tennis match.

 

[rpb23]

Europe Smash - Sweden 2025 WD SF
View attachment 37602
Europe Smash - Sweden 2025 MD SF
View attachment 37603
Europe Smash - Sweden 2025 XD Final
View attachment 37604​

With MD champion already in the pocket, LSD is also in the MD final and men's single semi.
LSD is in very good form. If his partner can do his part, both of them can claim MD title with good chance.
For singles, with Hugo and Tomo gone, LSD is favored unless homeboy Truls won't let him.
So, at the end, the biggest winner of the Smash may be LSD, which will give Chinese coaches much needed relief for their men's team.

 

[TampaBayTableTennis]

Truls vs Duda, who's gonna take it???

 

[piligrim]

Truls vs Duda, who's gonna take it???

Probably 4:3 for Duda

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

Both are playing amazing table tennis, but I'm going with local hero Truls.

 

[NextLevel]

Going with the local hero Truls but Duda can take it if he has a masterful serve and serve return clinic.

 

[Janard]

Woots. Well done to the HK pairing of Wong/Chan! Though I wonder if Wong can last till LA2028.

Meanwhile, CNT really struggling to produce high-performing doubles pairing, with only Lin/Kuai (XD) and Sun/Wang (WD) being relatively stable.

Stray observation but Chan's Mandarin accent is very mainlander

 

[crystalline]

Even the HK coach was speaking mandarin during their timeouts.
Chan’s mandarin did sound like he was from mainland.

Men’s doubles has always been China’s weakest event historically. Any doubles success (championship wins) they had in recent years all had a Chinese woman in it (XD and WD).

 

[NextLevel]

Hong Kong is eternally grateful to fan @zeio for getting them to fix WCT's game or days like today would not be possible.

 

[NextLevel]

Woots. Well done to the HK pairing of Wong/Chan! Though I wonder if Wong can last till LA2028.

Meanwhile, CNT really struggling to produce high-performing doubles pairing, with only Lin/Kuai (XD) and Sun/Wang (WD) being relatively stable.

Stray observation but Chan's Mandarin accent is very mainlander

Maybe he is a transplant who didn't want to break through the cluttered CNT hierarchy...