Germany Names Seven-Player Squad for 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana: Dang Qiu Leads as Under-21 Generation Steps Up

Germany will send a seven-player men's squad to the 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana, Slovenia, led by former European champion Dang Qiu. The line-up blends Germany's most decorated names with a new generation ready to make its mark at senior level. The seven players are Dang Qiu, Benedikt Duda, Dimitrij Ovtcharov, Patrick Franziska, Andre Bertelsmeier, Wim Verdonschot and Kay Stumper. The first four are long-established figures on the continental circuit, while the remaining three represent the new wave of German table tennis, having recently graduated from the junior ranks. Notably, the squad does not include Timo Boll, the German legend who retired after the Paris 2026 Olympic Games. His departure leaves a significant sporting and leadership void, and the responsibility of leading the team now falls on Dang Qiu. Dang Qiu, 29, knows what it takes to succeed on the European stage. He won the Men's Singles crown in Munich in 2026, having previously claimed Mixed Doubles gold in Warsaw in 2026 and Team gold in Cluj-Napoca in 2026. He added Team bronze at the 2026 European Championships in Zadar and was runner-up at the Europe Top 16 in 2026. At the 2026 European Games in Krakow-Malopolska, he collected two more gold medals, in Mixed Doubles and the Men's Team event. Beyond Europe, he was part of Germany's silver-medal-winning team at the 2026 World Championships in Chengdu and won Mixed Team bronze at the 2026 World Cup. Qiu arrives in Ljubljana encouraged by his recent victory at the WTT Star Contender Astana, where he defeated reigning European champion Alexis Lebrun on his way to the title. "Every victory gives you additional confidence, and winning a tournament and beating a world-class player like Alexis Lebrun even more so," Qiu said. "But the fact is that the cards are reshuffled every day and I have to continue working hard on myself to be in top form at the European Championships. There is also the China Smash in between, where a lot can happen." Germany will have another major contender in Benedikt Duda, who produced his best European Championships Singles result in Linz, reaching the final before taking silver behind Alexis Lebrun. The 32-year-old also has two European Team titles, from 2026 and 2026, and added bronze at the Europe Top 16 earlier this year. "That period propelled me all the way to No. 8 in the world ranking," Duda said. "In 2026, however, I haven't progressed beyond the Round of 16 at any WTT tournament so far, and as a result I have dropped considerably in the ranking again. I think that after making 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 again now." Few players in Ljubljana can match the European record of Dimitrij Ovtcharov. The 38-year-old won the Men's Singles title in 2026 and 2026 and has eight European Team titles to his name. He returned to the Singles podium in Linz in 2026, taking bronze. His record extends far beyond Europe, with six Olympic medals and numerous World Championships honours. "I have won two gold medals, one silver and three bronze medals. So the European Championships are a tournament that I have always really enjoyed and where I have usually played very well," Ovtcharov said. "My victory over Truls Moregard 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 to the German line-up. The 34-year-old is a former Europe Top 16 champion and has won four European Team titles, as well as European Men's Doubles gold in 2026. "The European Championships are as evenly matched as they have been for a long time," Franziska said. "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's challenge will also include two players who earned their 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 European Championships debut in 2026, while European Under 21 runner-up Wim Verdonschot will make his first appearance at the senior event. "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," Bertelsmeier said. "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." Verdonschot is approaching his senior European Championships debut without putting additional pressure on himself. "Since it is my first senior European Championships, I'll just see what is possible," he said. "I hope I can produce my best table tennis and get the maximum out of myself." Kay Stumper completes Germany's 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, of course, I would like to go far," Stumper said. Germany will also have considerable experience in the Doubles events. Qiu will partner Duda in Men's Doubles, while Franziska and Ovtcharov join forces. "Benne and I are a world-class doubles pair, but surprisingly we really are still missing that European Championships medal," Qiu said. "We hope that, with a little luck, it will finally happen in Ljubljana." The squad reflects Germany's dual ambition in Ljubljana: competing for medals immediately with experienced players while preparing the next generation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle. With Dang Qiu at his peak, Benedikt Duda rediscovering his form, Ovtcharov and Franziska bringing experience, and three young players full of ambition, Germany enters the 2026 European Championships as one of the leading contenders. Yet with Alexis Lebrun, Felix Lebrun, Truls Moregard and home favourite Darko Jorgic in the field, nothing can be taken for granted.