The LOTTO ThĂĽringen TT-Finals 2026 wrapped up in Erfurt, combining elite performance, mass participation, and a festive atmosphere under one roof. The event stood out as a premier example of how to present table tennis as a true sporting spectacle, selling 8,000 tickets over four days and packing the arena with 3,000 spectators on each finals day.
Domination in the Singles Divisions
The tournament delivered expected champions who showcased absolute dominance in their respective divisions:
- Women’s Singles: At just 19 years old, Annett Kaufmann defended her crown by defeating world No. 9 Sabine Winter in a dramatic seven-game final. This victory marks her third consecutive national singles title, cementing her status as a major figure in German table tennis.
- Men’s Singles: Dang Qiu captured his third national singles title, adding to his 2022 and 2023 honors. He dropped only a single game throughout the entire event, finishing with a 4-1 victory over Patrick Franziska.
Dramatic Doubles Action
The doubles categories kept fans on the edge of their seats. Kaufmann completed a perfect tournament by capturing the women’s doubles title alongside Xiaona Shan. On the men’s side, Andre Bertelsmeier and Wim Verdonschot successfully retained their championship after pulling off a spectacular comeback against Franziska and Ricardo Walther, saving multiple match points along the way.
The Core Results
- Women’s Singles: Annett Kaufmann def. Sabine Winter (4-3)
- Men’s Singles: Dang Qiu def. Patrick Franziska (4-1)
- Women’s Doubles: Kaufmann / Shan def. Winter / Wan (3-1)
- Men’s Doubles: Bertelsmeier / Verdonschot def. Franziska / Walther (3-2)
Key Takeaway: By combining six distinct national championships and hosting over 1,100 participants, Germany’s signature showcase proved that national tournaments can be elevated into massive, high-energy sports festivals.
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