ITTF WTTTC Finals London 2026, 4/28-5/10

[scousebr]

It certainly makes it more interesting on the other group, if teams were looking to avoid China until the finals.

 

[dewnyc]

Is weibo blowing up about this? lol

 

[dewnyc]

China's unbeatable era has finally come to its end. I really hope someone else takes the title, and I'm hoping for France.

No, they still can (and most likely will) win it all in the end

 

[Matteones]

No, they still can (and most likely will) win it all in the end

Yes they can and most likely will win it all, but still, not unbeatable anymore: they have been beaten and that has brought down a 26 years wall.
There is only Wang Chuqin there now, guarding a broken wall. My money is on them losing these world championships.

 

[M51]

The pressure on WCQ must be insane right now.

It must have already been insane going in, but after today, when it's evident that defending the title will almost certainly depend on him winning both his matches... Damn.

 

[NextLevel]

China hasn't lost a single match in 26 years. This being the streak ender is definitely anticlimactic.

Beating China should be a crowning achievement for any team, these pointless group matches are just a buzzkill

I don't entirely agree but I see your point.

 

[DrBean]

Yes they can and most likely will win it all, but still, not unbeatable anymore: they have been beaten and that has brought down a 26 years wall.
There is only Wang Chuqin there now, guarding a broken wall. My money is on them losing these world championships.

It's kind of like the demise of the British Empire. Good for the world that it's happened, yet somehow still kind of a weird sentimental feeling.

 

[NextLevel]

Yes they can and most likely will win it all, but still, not unbeatable anymore: they have been beaten and that has brought down a 26 years wall.
There is only Wang Chuqin there now, guarding a broken wall. My money is on them losing these world championships.

I dont think yhey can win it all. Even if Wang is good for two wins, France Japan, Sweden and Germany all have teams that can beat them as currently constituted. The coach would need to have one of the other three regain his top level and LSD has shown he still has the same issues even if he improves he is still a risk. The match vs Sweden tomorrow will reveal a lot.

 

[piligrim]

I dont think yhey can win it all. Even if Wang is good for two wins, France Japan, Sweden and Germany all have teams that can beat them as currently constituted. The coach would need to have one of the other three regain his top level and LSD has shown he still has the same issues even if he improves he is still a risk. The match vs Sweden tomorrow will reveal a lot.

Maybe they had to give chance to young guys

 

[NextLevel]

Maybe they had to give chance to young guys

Not sure what you are saying. If Wang played against Korea, I think they would have won sure. But even if Wang wins 2 against Japan, Sweden, France or Germany, China still very vulnerable. The main problem is the #3 spot. They might move Lin into the #3 and force Wang to win 2 every time. But this has other problems. Those teams also have good enough #3s to beat Lin.

 

[piligrim]

Not sure what you are saying. If Wang played against Korea, I think they would have won sure. But even if Wang wins 2 against Japan, Sweden, France or Germany, China still very vulnerable. The main problem is the #3 spot. They might move Lin into the #3 and force Wang to win 2 every time. But this has other problems. Those teams also have good enough #3s to beat Lin.

I was mean give to play for Wen Ruibo, CHEN Yuanyu, HUANG Youzheng, Chen Junsong

 

[NextLevel]

I was mean give to play for Wen Ruibo, CHEN Yuanyu, HUANG Youzheng, Chen Junsong

Wen Ruibo and Xhen Yuanyu would have helped for sure. Unfortunately they couldn't beat Xiang Peng and Zhou Qihao.

 

[kindof99]

Wen Ruibo and Xhen Yuanyu would have helped for sure. Unfortunately they couldn't beat Xiang Peng and Zhou Qihao.

They might or might not help.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

At first I too am bewildered why CNT bench WCQ in these games. Then, I read the fine print and realised that this Grp stage are designed for positioning only. As all the eight top seeded teams auto qualify into the knock-out stage. So, most likely CNT do not want to tire out their ace player too soon.

 

[Janard]

Lol is this why there are no more separate MT and WT categories, only XT for the Olympics? 🙉

 

[NextLevel]

They might or might not help.

You are not being practical. Ruibo Wen has beaten (in recent months) Harimoto and Calderano. Is he perfect, no. But he is not struggling like Liang Jingkun. Sure he wont be favored against Felix etc. But sometimes what you really need is someone who can play inspired table tennis when the pressure is on. Chen Yuanyu did lose badly to Dang but he also beat Hugo. What you ultimately want is someone with the upside and relative stability. Xiang Peng is too forehand oriented or he would have been that guy. If Liang Jingkun can get a time machine he would be that guy. ZQH showed his colors against AN Jaehyun.

 

[NextLevel]

Lol is this why there are no more separate MT and WT categories, only XT for the Olympics? 🙉

I have made this exact same point, this XT timing is way too convenient

 

[kindof99]

You are not being practical. Ruibo Wen has beaten (in recent months) Harimoto and Calderano. Is he perfect, no. But he is not struggling like Liang Jingkun. Sure he wont be favored against Felix etc. But sometimes what you really need is someone who can play inspired table tennis when the pressure is on. Chen Yuanyu did lose badly to Dang but he also beat Hugo. What you ultimately want is someone with the upside and relative stability. Xiang Peng is too forehand oriented or he would have been that guy. If Liang Jingkun can get a time machine he would be that guy. ZQH showed his colors against AN Jaehyun.

WRB did badly in youth WTTTC. He played well recently, but no one knows how he will play in a team match again. Also, he did not qualify for a spot

 

[NextLevel]

WRB did badly in youth WTTTC. He played well recently, but no one knows how he will play in a team match again. Also, he did not qualify for a spot

Yeah. And everyone loses.

 

[Lando]

China losing would be the best thing for the sport