(by Steve Hopkins)

The ITTF Mixed Team World Cup finished today in Chengdu, China.  There is no surprise that China won the event in dominating fashion with 56 games won and 10 games lost.  The scoring in this event is unique, with five matches played in a particular order with each match three games only.  The first team to score 8 points wins – whether that threshold is reached in the third match (or the fourth, or the fifth).

The Chinese team finished 7-0, clear winners with 56 games won and 10 games lost.  Korea and Japan finished second and third with each winning 49 games.  The difference between the two was nominal with Korea losing 27 games and Japan losing just two more (29 games).  Korea had a strong match against Japan when the two faced each other – with Korea winning 8-4 winning every matchup except for Women’s Singles.

The European teams did not fare as well, with Sweden finishing fourth, followed closely by France and Germany.  None of those three teams finished with a winning record. Of those three squads, only France sent their top players – Sweden did not send Moregard, and Germany did not send their top 3 men.  To say that differently, both Sweden and Germany expect to be stronger when they face these same countries in competition in the Olympics next year.

Visit ButterflyOnline.com for updates throughout the event.