Elizabet Abraamian Claims Sensational European Table Tennis Title, Sets Historic Record

Armenian-origin table tennis player Elizabet Abraamian, representing Russia, has won the gold medal at the 2026 European Table Tennis Championships, which concluded on October 18 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

The 23-year-old achieved a historic breakthrough, becoming the first player in European Championships history to win the women's singles title after starting the tournament in qualification. Remarkably, Abraamian was seeded just 35th before the competition and was not considered among the main favorites.

In the final, Elizabet faced 20-year-old German player Annett Kaufmann. The thrilling contest went the full seven games, with the Armenian-origin athlete securing a dramatic 4–3 victory (15–13, 11–5, 5–11, 9–11, 12–10, 6–11, 11–6).

One of the decisive moments came in the fifth game, when Kaufmann held a 10–8 lead. However, Abraamian saved two game points and fought back to take the game 12–10. After losing the sixth game, Elizabet regained her composure and dominated the decider, winning 11–6.

Her semifinal against France's Prithika Pavade was equally dramatic. Trailing 2–3 in games and facing elimination, Abraamian saved a match point before eventually securing a 4–3 victory. She clinched the decisive seventh game 13–11.

Following the final, the newly crowned European champion admitted that she had probably played the best match of her career. According to Abraamian, the contest was extremely demanding both physically and mentally.

Interestingly, Abraamian and Kaufmann have been friends since their junior years. Before the final, the German player had congratulated Elizabet on her impressive performances and expressed hope that they would meet in the title match.

Abraamian's journey to the historic gold medal was also complicated by several challenges away from the table. Ahead of the championships, she had to overcome an injury, visa difficulties, and lost luggage during her travels.

Despite all these obstacles, Elizabet Abraamian finished the tournament with a gold medal and secured her place in European table tennis history.

According to the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU), Annett Kaufmann claimed the silver medal, while Prithika Pavade of France and Nina Mittelham of Germany earned bronze medals.