Europeans Conspire to Beat Chinese Ping-pong OlympiansEuropean ping-pong stalwart players from some countries like Sweden, France, Germany and Croatia have never been so united as they are now: Forming a common front to prevent Chinese ping-pong Olympians from pocketing all four gold medals from Sydney Olympics, according to a news release from Sydney.As was known to people, in the wake of the World Ping-Pong Group Tournament, the European players and coaches had conspired to oppose China in Luxembourg. Soon after the Olympic qualifier, top European players again gathered; men and women players were further trained in Germany and Luxembourg respectively. Last week, they were once again assembled and got trained in Australia. In the words of a coach with the French team, no matter which team of Europe become gold medalist in Sydney Olympics, the honor would belong to the whole of Europe. The French coach also said, the European players often play in European Club League Drafts, they know each other and make no secret of their tactics for their No. one adversaries are those from China. After arriving at Australia last week, the Swedish team hurried to Victoria state to start training his players. Almost at the same time, the French and Polish teams went to a training base 110 kilometers away from Melbourne, to meet the Australian and Croatian teams. Zoran Primorac, champion of two World Cups, didn't go with the Croatian team, for he will only play in men's singles, which will be held on September 20. Known among European players, 34-year-old Joergen Persson who beat Liu Guoliang this year, is one showing the greatest confidence. He said, I know I can win the gold and some others may also have the hope. Persson said, men's singles gold medal may go either to Europe or China. Besides Persson himself, Jan-Ove Waldner, Vladimir Samsonov and Jean-Philippe Gatien will have the hope to become gold winners. But he looks highly to Gatien. Waldner believes Persson will play well but he refused to forecast on the prospect of his actual performance. |
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