Overview

• Germany’s men travel without retired great Timo Boll and are resting Dimitrij Ovtcharov, handing leadership to Benedikt Duda, Dang Qiu and Patrick Franziska, ranked No. 8, 14 and 15 in the world.
• Coach Jörg Roßkopf says the target is to be Europe’s best again, with Franziska stating the team should aim for gold after a 2023 final loss and quarterfinal exits at the 2024 Team Worlds and Olympics.
• The continental field has strengthened, with France led by Alexis and Felix Lebrun, while titleholder Sweden must replace injured Truls Möregardh.
• Germany’s women arrive with momentum under Croatian coach Tamara Boros, spotlighting junior world champion Annett Kaufmann and a resurgent Sabine Winter after a successful equipment and style change.
• The event opens this weekend in Zadar as questions linger over team formats following the IOC’s move to a mixed team event at future Olympics.