Europe v Asia

[Blocking Ace]

Further to comments on 'socially acceptable thread', I suspect that i am not alone in, generally, much preferring to watch the top European players [admittedly, some past their prime] compared to the top Asian players.

Waldner, Gatien, Saive, Rosskopf, Appelgren, and many more, in my opinion, possessed far greater flair, guile, and 'personality'. Many pen-holders look one-dimensional and robotic - very effective maybe, but superficial. So bland. Do i have any support on this matter?
:pray:
Of course, now we need more flair Europeans to emerge again in order to re-educate the non-table tennis 'civilians', who constantly allude to Chinese players as the only nation that excels at the sport.

[Blocking Ace]

I should have started this thread in 'General Discussion' section. But, that shows how technologically unadvanced i must be.
:resent:

[Flicker]

I am with you on that one Blocking Ace the golden era of Tabletennis for me was definately the 80's - 90's Allround style of Waldner and the competition that came form Sweden and France against the Chinese made it exciting and far more interesting to watch. As great as the current Chinese team are, Probably the strongest Team ever they are quite boring to watch for me they seem to lack personality and they do not endear themselves to the spectator at all imo.

[DaveR]

Stirring the pot a little somewat, i feel the same ie Gatien is still my favourite when on his game............having said that im still going to have to say Grubba was always a hero and a crowd pleaser.....not many give that same experience, but things have moved on slightly !



ps i moved the thread Ace !................no worries mate

[DaveR]

Perhaps a pole on who was / is the best now or all time ?

[Browning]

Got to be Waldner for me. Absolutely natural and calm, and did it for so long. Amazing.

Gatien was great to watch but I don't think he did it for long enough. Though I haven't been around the game for a few years so there may have been some more recent contenders.

[Flicker]

Klampar,Jonyer,Gergely,Secretin,Waldner,Persson,Ap pelgren,Grubba,Douglas,Gatien,Chila,Legout,
Korbel,Schlager,Samsonov,Boll are some of my favorite Euro's, All great players to watch. I think Waldner had the best overall game and career out of all of them.

[DaveR]

Agreed ..............ill add some Waldner videos soon along with some others !

in fact a rare doubles match !

3a3EhBUCVJw&rel=1

[Flicker]

Preano + Cooke v Waldner + Appelgren great TT and they all look so young!
The Beyond Imagination videos really show how exciting World TT used to be
15-20 years ago, Well for some of us anyway.

[SammyBoy]

Still exiting but the coverage is getting less dare i say, i will hunt for some videos and pass them onto the site.

[Powerhouse]

Me too i have many that are still great to watch even today.

[Blocking Ace]

I still regularly watch the Reflex Sports videos of World, Olympic, and European Championships. Sometimes for inspiration to go out and practice.
Pause and rewind when Waldner produces one of his devastating blocks.

A great pity that the 1994 tapes from Birmingham do not feature men's team semi-finals, which were tremendous. Or Kreanga when he was at his zenith. Sitting courtside watching him [it was still spelled Creanga then] looping uninhibited forehand and backhand loops was probably the best table tennis i have ever seen.
But, i've said it before and i'll say it again, he never looked the same with a 40mm ball. Then again neither have I.
:pray:

[Powerhouse]

The 40mm ball debate still rumbles on, with many players to this day playing with the old 38mm as a "breakaway" group. The fact remains we all have change forced upon us, sometimes with little thought as to what the outcome maybe. My own personal opinion would have been to leave the ball at its original size and resize the net height to maybe 10mm higher which may not sound a lot but would still make things a little more playable, with veiwing more acceptable.

The story moves on, next question was 11 up a step forwards or back !

[Blocking Ace]

I had not heard about a 'breakaway' group playing with 38mm. It might yetl be tempting. When i watch some pre-change videos, the arc of the ball when looping, for example, is difinitely more pronounced. Much more satisfying when playing, and aesthetically pleasing when watching.
Viva Spin.
:pray:

[Anth Barella]

i agree that Europeans may look better and are more entertaining but (with the exception of Timo boll) the Asin players will win alot more games against the europeans, and will continue to becasue they are more consistant. Most of the European players go for too much and will risk to much within the point rather than staying in the point.
But thats just my opinion

[Powerhouse]

I had not heard about a 'breakaway' group playing with 38mm. It might yetl be tempting. When i watch some pre-change videos, the arc of the ball when looping, for example, is difinitely more pronounced. Much more satisfying when playing, and aesthetically pleasing when watching.
Viva Spin.


Im in agreement with the Ace on this one, deffinitely more pleasing to watch although viewing figures have increased since the introduction of the new ball and 11 up.


i agree that Europeans may look better and are more entertaining but (with the exception of Timo boll) the Asin players will win alot more games against the europeans, and will continue to becasue they are more consistant. Most of the European players go for too much and will risk to much within the point rather than staying in the point.
But thats just my opinion


I still enjoy watching European table tennis it has certain flare, which i suppose is what you are saying.

By the way opinions are great and debate is healthy.

[Blocking Ace]

Regarding the question posed above re. 11 up.
One of the arguments used by the 'powers that be' when forcing the legislation through was that tv coverage would increase.
But what happens now is that instead of joining coverage of a 21 up match midway through the deciding end, the tv broadcast joins the start of an 11 up end - but it's about the sixth or seventh end.
I am merely stating what often occurs, not always.

Also, instead of powerful, arcing topsins and swerving sidespin loops, more top players look as if they have to 'bludgeon' the ball past opponent. I certainly feel that, to some extent, when playing myself. A large degree of subtlety has, unfortunately, been lost with the departure of 38mm.
:pray:
I do not like 40mm ball. Can you tell?

[DaveR]

Well i agree that certain aspects of the game changed, such as the takes a slightly different path when spinning ie certainly doesny swerve or curve as much, so in that respect yes its lost some viewable interest ...........on the hand the game did slow down slightly but with the introduction of various speed glues and rubber this has got back to original pace !

On the issue of coverage i have seen very few full ends nevermind matches so yes the media still duck and dive into matches.

Ps do you really love the 38mm that much !

[Blocking Ace]

Although its a forlorn hope, I still have a dozen Schildkrot 38mm.
:pray:

[DaveR]

Lol nice one !

Unfortunately i think a dozen golden lay will be used before the 38mm are ever re-launched.................mind you there is always hope !

Actually i think i stilll have a 38mm barna...................

[Kev]

I honestly don't believe that the 40mm ball has had any real effect on the game whatsoever. But then there are always those who cannot stand any change at all and those who look for any excuse rather than blame themselves for poor performances.:covereyes:

My thoughts on 11 up are pretty similar. Personally I think the shorter games are far more exciting!

Oh and I think 'tiny minority of older people' would be a far more realistic phrase when talking about those who still play with the 38mm ball.:bag:

[DaveR]

Change isnt always accepted by eveyone with arms so open, also change is not always for the better...........has the introduction achieved its goal, i think not given we haven statistically less Table Tennis on the box now than we did previously.

Is the game more viewer friendly ............we as players arnt the best qualified to answer that question, mainll because we wear those nice rose coloured spectacles that only reflect the sport we love. My opinion for what its worth is get on with whats there and play on !

Enjoy the sport you love and stop winging lol:rocker: