Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus heads the invitation list for the Liebherr Men’s World Cup, to be staged in the German city of Magdeburg from Friday 29th to Sunday 31st October 2010.

Winner of the title in Moscow in 2009, Vladimir Samsonov is one of the most successful players in the 30 year history of the competition; a tournament first held in Hong Kong in 1980, when Guo Yuehua won an all Chinese final against Li Zhenshi.

Since those beginnings, the legendary names of modern day table tennis have graced the event but few can match the record of Vladimir Samsonov.

Only Ma Lin
Only China’s Ma Lin has won the title more times than the tall stylish athlete from Minsk.

Ma Lin has clinched the title on an incredible four occasions with Vladimir Samsonov emerging victorious three times; no other player has won more than twice.

In addition to his win in Moscow in 2009, Vladimir Samsonov succeeded in the Chinese city of Xiaolan in 1999 and in Courmayeur, Italy in 2001.

Previous Winners in Magdeburg
He is one of three previous winners of the crown who invited to Magdeburg; the others being China’s Wang Hao, the reigning World champion and Timo Boll, like Vladimir Samsonov, thrice European Men’s Singles champion.

Twice Champions
Timo Boll and Wang Hao are members of the elite group of players who have won the title on two occasions; the others being China’s Guo Yuehua and Ma Wenge plus Croatia’s Zoran Primorac.

The German star won in Jinan, China in 2002 and in the Belgian city of Liege in 2005, whilst Wang Hao succeeded in Barcelona in 2007 and in Liege in 2008.

Exalted Place
Succeeding in consecutive years gives Wang Hao an exalted place in the history of the tournament; he is the only player to have won back-to-back World Cup Men’s Singles titles not on home soil.

Ma Lin is the only other player to win consecutively but both his wins came in China; nevertheless a tremendous achievement.

He won in Jiangyin in 2003 and Huangzhou in 2004.

Challengers
The names of Vladimir Samsonov, Wang Hao and Timo Boll list high amongst the favourites but of course there are several players who could have a major bearing on the outcome of proceedings.

China’s Ma Long, the current world no.1 ranked player and Denmark’s Michael Maze, the reigning European champion join Vladimir Samsonov, Wang Hao and Timo Boll on the invitation list.

Meanwhile, Korea’s Joo Se Hyuk and Oh Sang Eun, Japan’s Jun Mizutani, Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan, Singapore’s Gao Ning, Hong Kong’s Tang Peng and Li Ching plus Kalinikos Kreanga of Greece, Austria’s Werner Schlager and the host nation’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov will all have an influence on proceedings.

Intercontinental Cup
They complete the list of 19 players invited to compete in the Liebherr Men’s World Cup with the representatives from Africa, North America, Latin America and Oceania fighting for the one remaining place.

Congo Brazzaville’s Suraju Saka, Canada’s Pradeeban Peter-Paul, Argentina’s Liu Song and Australia’s Kyle Davis will compete in the Intercontinental Cup; the winner progresses to play in the Liebherr Men’s World Cup.

Deadline
A thrilling three days of high class table tennis lies ahead; a total prize fund of $150,000 is on offer with the winner departing US$45,000 the better off.

The invitation cards have been sent, we now await the confirmations which must be received on or before Friday 10th September 2010.

Magdeburg is Ready
A feast of world class table tennis is on the menu and Magdeburg, a previous home for the Liebherr German Open, is ready, ready to welcome the best, the very best in the world.

Source: www.ittf.com

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