Dang Qiu to Lead Strong German Table Tennis Squad at 2026 European Championships

Germany will travel to Ljubljana for the 2026 European Table Tennis Championships with a seven-player squad, with former European champion Dang Qiu expected to lead the team. The mix of experienced names Dimitrij Ovtcharov, Patrick Franziska, Benedikt Duda and young talents Andre Bertelsmeier, Wim Verdonschot and Kay Stumper underlines German table tennis ambitions. Dang Qiu, 29, has a strong European record. He won Men's Singles gold in Munich 2026, Mixed Doubles gold in Warsaw 2026 and Team gold in Cluj-Napoca 2026. He added Team bronze at the 2026 European Championships in Zadar and was runner-up at Europe Top 16 in 2026. At the 2026 European Games in Kraków-Małopolska, he collected two golds, in Mixed Doubles and Men's Team. He also took World Championships silver in 2026 and World Cup Mixed Team bronze in 2026. He recently triumphed at WTT Star Contender Astana, beating reigning European champion Alexis Lebrun on the way. “Every victory gives you additional confidence, and winning a tournament and beating a world-class player like Alexis Lebrun even more so. But the fact is the cards are reshuffled every day and I have to keep working hard to be in top form at the European Championships. There is also the China Smash in between, where a lot can happen.” Benedikt Duda is another major German contender. The 32-year-old reached his first European Championships singles final in Linz two years ago, taking silver behind Alexis Lebrun. That result marked the beginning of his strongest period. He has two European Team titles, from 2026 and 2026, and added bronze at Europe Top 16 earlier this year. “That period propelled me to No. 8 in the world. In 2026, however, I have not progressed beyond the Round of 16 at any WTT tournament so far, and I have dropped considerably. I think after that rise, I listened to too many people’s opinions instead of consistently continuing on my own path. But I am learning from that and will do better now,” said Duda. Dimitrij Ovtcharov has one of the best European records in Ljubljana. The 38-year-old won Men's Singles in 2026 and 2026 and owns eight European Team titles. He returned to the Singles podium in Linz 2026 with bronze. Beyond Europe, he has six Olympic medals and multiple World Championships honours. “I have won two gold medals, one silver and three bronze medals. The European Championships are a tournament I have always really enjoyed and where I have usually played very well. My victory over Truls Moregardh a few weeks ago gave me a lot of confidence and the feeling that I can beat anyone and that I still belong among the title contenders. My goal is to win another medal. And once you reach the semi-finals, of course you want to go even further.” Patrick Franziska adds further experience. The 34-year-old is a former Europe Top 16 champion, has won four European Team titles and European Men's Doubles gold in 2026. He also has European Championships medals in Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles. “The European Championships are as evenly matched as they have been for a long time. There are many very strong players in Europe. Of course, I am again travelling there with high expectations, but making a prediction is difficult. There are many players who can win the tournament or go very far. That’s why you simply have to take it round by round and see what is possible.” Germany also includes two players who earned places through the 2026 European Under 21 Championships. European Under 21 champion Andre Bertelsmeier returns to the senior continental stage after reaching the Round of 16 on his debut in 2026, while runner-up Wim Verdonschot makes his senior debut. “My title at the European Under 21 Championships and reaching the Round of 16 in 2026 show that on a good day I can already cause problems for the leading players. Of course, my goal is also to challenge the established players. However, the depth of quality in Europe is incredibly high. Almost anyone can beat anyone – so every round at the European Championships is a major challenge,” said Bertelsmeier. Verdonschot said: “Since it is my first senior European Championships, I’ll just see what is possible. Of course, I want to get through qualification and then see how far the journey takes me. I hope I can produce my best table tennis and get the maximum out of myself.” Kay Stumper completes the seven-player squad. Already a European Team champion and World Championships Team silver medallist, he will make his European Individual Championships debut in Ljubljana. “I simply want to play as well as possible. I’m in good form at the moment and I would like to go far. I’m familiar with major tournaments, but I haven’t played at a European Individual Championships before. I’m really looking forward to it.” In doubles, Qiu will partner Duda, while Franziska and Ovtcharov join forces. Qiu and Duda are still chasing their first European Championships medal together. “Benne and I are a world-class doubles pair, but surprisingly we are still missing that European Championships medal. We have been working towards it for quite some time. We hope that, with a little luck, it will finally happen in Ljubljana,” said Qiu. Germany’s squad combines proven winners and hungry newcomers. Qiu is full of confidence after Astana, Duda wants to return to his best, Ovtcharov remains a title threat, Franziska brings stability, and the young trio aim to make their mark. With strong opponents such as Alexis Lebrun and Truls Moregardh, the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana promise tough battles, but Germany appears ready for the challenge.