This year’s European Youth Championships will be held in Ostrava, Czechia, from 11th to 20th July. Six of our compass-supported players — Danilo Faso (Italy), Siri Benjegard (Sweden), Ladimir Mayorov (Spain), Görkem Öcal (Türkiye), Josi Neumann (Germany), Adela Brhelova (Chechia) and Joel Isaksson (Sweden) — will be competing in the U15 category at the EYC 2025, in singles, doubles, mixed doubles and the team competition. This event is a highlight tournament for the youth players, including the Compass support players, who are well prepared and highly motivated to repeat or even surpass last year’s results.

Last year, our players won many medals in the U15 category. These included two gold medals for Team Italy, led by Danilo; two gold medals for Team Germany, led by Josi; one bronze medal for Team Türkiye, led by Görkem; a silver medal for Siri in the girls’ singles; and a bronze medal for Danilo in the boys’ doubles. Furthermore, Flavien Coton, a compass alumnus from France, secured second place in the U19 singles event.

In addition to our currently supported players, several compass alumni are on the EYC participant list: Lleyton Ullman and Noah Hersel (Germany), Kacper Piwowar (England), Alexander Malov (Spain), Nina Skerbinz (Austria) and Laurynne Cabardo (Sweden). Additionally, a number of players competing in Ostrava have participated in our scouting and testing camps in recent years.

To optimally prepare for the EYC, Danilo Faso trained hard at the compass Camp in Hungary alongside his new personal coach, Fatah Ourahmoune from France, who accompanied him during the intense training sessions. The sisters Michelle (2013) and Emily Wu (2014) from Switzerland also attended as part of their testing phase with compass, accompanied by their trainer Sonja Wicki. The small compass Camp offered players the opportunity to train with sparring partners, work on their physical capacities under the guidance of Krisztina Szvitan (prevention specialist) and enjoy themselves together, both on and off the table.

“With compass, our aim is to hold several small training camps throughout the year, providing our supported players, as well as new ones, with the opportunity to practise at a high level. This time, we were delighted to welcome Michelle and Emily Wu, as well as Danilo, who regularly attends our camps for intensive training weeks in Hungary,” said Daniel Zwickl, managing director of compass. 

We are looking forward to the European Youth Championships and wish all our supported players, alumni and other Compass-linked players a successful tournament, lots of energy and the best of luck!