China and Japan confirmed the predictions and with two more 3-0 set wins in the quarter-final and semi-final round, they qualified for the final of the Women’s World Table Tennis Championship which will take place on Saturday at 13:00 Greek time.
The sport’s two superpowers meet in the world title decider for the fifth time in a row (since 2014 and the 2020 event was not held due to the coronavirus) and the world is eagerly waiting to see if unbeaten China will continue its dominance in the institution since 2010…
In the men’s team, China, South Korea, Taipei and France are in the semi-finals. The “tricolors”, in fact, also won the bronze medal for women and can be proud that for the first time in their history they are on the winners’ podium in both categories. In Busan, it became the only European country to enter the medal positions.
The World Championship ends next Sunday.
In the men’s team, the quarter-finals concluded on Friday with a big win for Taipei against former world runners-up and No. 2 Germany. Chuan Qi Yuan defeated Qiu Dang 3-2 sets, Lin Yunju defeated Dimitri Ovcharov by the same score and upset from 0-2 sets, and Cao Chengjui defeated Patrick Franziska 3-1 sets.
Earlier, the “host” South Korea overcame the difficulties against the excellent Denmark with a 3-1 set. The Scandinavians had temporarily leveled when Jonathan Groth beat Yang Wujin 3-1 in sets. Korea got two wins from Lim Yonghun and one from Ahn Jaehyun.
On Thursday, China produced a show of strength against Japan in 3-0 sets, while in the European derby, France crushed Portugal 3-1 in sets. In Saturday’s semifinals, China takes on Korea at 6:00 a.m. Greece and France take on Chinese Taipei at 10:00 a.m.
In the women’s team, both matches of the foursome took place on Friday. China were heavy favorites against France and proved it, losing just one set in the final 3-0. France, however, had already achieved a very big distinction, as they prevailed 3-2 sets against Germany in the quarter-finals, securing the historic medal.
Japan, which always shows itself strong and is fighting to take the “sceptres” from China, also prevailed with a 3-0 set of Hong Kong. The latter achieved a narrow victory in the eight over Taipei to reach the medals.
The latest results, as shown on the scoreboard:
In men:
In the quarter-finals:
China-Japan 3-0
Korea-Denmark 3-1
France-Portugal 3-1
Germany-Chinese Taipei 0-3
To women:
In the quarter-finals:
China-Korea 3-0
France-Germany 3-2
Chinese Taipei-Hong Kong 2-3
Romania-Japan 0-3
In the semi-finals:
China-France 3-0
Japan-Hong Kong 3-0
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