Overview

• The championships run October 12–19 in Zadar, Croatia, with Germany entering both team events aiming for podium finishes.
• Germany’s men compete without retired great Timo Boll and resting Dimitrij Ovtcharov, elevating Benedikt Duda to lead alongside Dang Qiu and Patrick Franziska.
• France, led by the Lebrun brothers, is widely tipped for gold, and Sweden stays in contention despite Truls Möregardh’s knee-related absence.
• The defending champion German women travel without Han Ying due to load management, with Nina Mittelham returning from a back issue and the chance to secure a record 10th title.
• Sabine Winter’s system overhaul and rise into the world top 30 strengthen Germany’s prospects, as coaches Jörg Roßkopf and Tamara Boros publicly set title goals.