Behind the Scenes in Zadar: A Week with Team England at the European Championships

I recently had the privilege of joining the England men’s and women’s teams at the ETTU European Team Championships in Zadar, Croatia. It was an incredible week of intense training, top-level competition, and the chance to observe Europe’s best players up close.

Here’s a day-by-day look at how the week unfolded.

Day 1 – Travel and Arrival

Our journey began at Luton Airport, where the team gathered ahead of our flight to Croatia. We were met in Zadar by tournament organisers and transported a further 90 minutes to our hotel. The excitement was already building as teams from across Europe began to arrive, each preparing for one of the most prestigious events in the table tennis calendar.

One of two practice halls

Day 2 - Preparation and practice

Following a well-earned late breakfast, the players completed a stretching and mobility session by the pool to shake off the travel fatigue.

We then headed to the training hall for accreditation, followed by the official photoshoot for both individual players and the team. Each country was given an allocated practice slot.

We were surrounded by some of Europe’s best players — including the Lebrun brothers, Mattias Falck and Benedikt Duda — working through a range of drills, from regular and irregular footwork routines to serve and receive exercises.

When it was our turn to train, our focus was on individual player needs, followed by a session in the main playing hall to get used to the competition conditions. The venue featured four top-quality Tibhar tables, providing the perfect stage for match-specific and set-piece practice.

The day finished with dinner and planning for the opening match.

Official photoshoot

Day 3 – Match Day vs Croatia

After an early breakfast, the team returned to the training hall for our allocated session from 10:00–11:30 a.m. The players again worked on regular and irregular footwork patterns, alongside targeted individual drills.

We had the opportunity to observe the German and Swedish men’s teams train — their consistency, power, and movement were remarkable and offered great insight into elite performance.

Following a light lunch and some rest at the hotel, we returned to the venue for our 7:00 p.m. match. After the warm-up and bat testing, we faced the Croatian women’s team, who were buoyed by their men’s victory earlier in the day. The home advantage proved decisive, and Croatia secured a strong 3–0 win.

Day 4 – Rest and Observation

A more relaxed start to the day allowed for some well-earned rest and the chance to watch the England men’s team produce a thrilling 3–2 win against Portugal.

In the afternoon, we trained from 2:00–4:00 p.m., before staying on to scout our next opponents, Italy, as they faced Croatia. Observing their style and tactical tendencies was invaluable for our preparation.

Day 5 – Match Day vs Italy

This was a must-win fixture for the England women’s team. After an early arrival at the training hall for pre-match warm-up, I took the opportunity to watch the men’s team in their clash with Greece, which unfortunately ended in defeat.

Our match against Italy was a tense and closely fought contest. The players showed excellent determination and composure under pressure, eventually claiming a 3–2 victory after a series of high-quality performances. The win secured England’s place in the last 16 — and a meeting with the tournament’s number two seeds, Germany.

Day 6 – Rest and Reflection

We began the day with a 9:00 a.m. training slot, focusing on individual development, multiball, and serve practice. The remainder of the day was spent resting and recovering, while also supporting our men’s team, who faced Greece but were sadly eliminated after a hard-fought battle.

Day 7 – Match Day vs Germany

After breakfast and a morning practice session, we held a team meeting to discuss match tactics and mindset heading into our tie with Germany. Despite a strong effort, the quality of the top seeds was clear, and Germany secured a 3–0 victory. The highlight of the day came as Ella Pashley made her England senior debut. Although she was not successful in her match, she displayed tremendous spirit, determination, and maturity against vastly experienced opposition. It was a proud moment for her and the team — and surely the first of many senior appearances for Ella in an England shirt.

While the result wasn’t in our favour, it was an excellent learning experience against some of the very best in Europe. We rounded off the evening with a team meal, celebrating what had been a successful week — with England women officially qualifying for the 2026 World Team Championships in London.

Day 8 – Departure and Reflection

Our final day in Zadar was spent packing and enjoying a relaxed morning exploring the city’s beautiful old town before transferring to the airport for the flight home.

Reflections

The week in Zadar was an incredible experience — both professionally and personally. Observing Europe’s elite players in training and competition offered valuable insights into their preparation, intensity, and tactical adaptability.

The organisation of the event was first-class, and the setting in Zadar made the experience even more enjoyable. For England women, the campaign was a great success, and qualifying for the World Team Championships in London 2026 marks a major milestone.

A fantastic week of learning, performance, and inspiration.