Pfarrkirchen. With a thrilling table tennis show by the legendary TT artists Milan Orlowski (among other titles a former three-time European champion) and Jindrich Pansky (among other titles a former two-time World Championship runner-up) in the gymnasium of the primary school, as well as a party in the schoolyard where long-standing table tennis players were honoured, the TT section of TuS 1860 Pfarrkirchen celebrated its „60th birthday“ – and received many congratulations.
For the anniversary event, section head Wilhelm Kolb welcomed the expectant audience and the two table tennis entertainers from Prag with their agent Daniel Suchanek in the well-filled gymnasium – as guests of honour he welcomed leading representatives of the town, of TuS 1860 Pfarrkirchen and of the Bavarian Table Tennis Association, district Ndb. Ost. The focus should not be on the history, but rather „this section is alive and that is how it should stay“, Kolb explained, wishing everyone much enjoyment.
TuS chairman Horst Lackner was the first to offer congratulations „on 60 years of table tennis in Pfarrkirchen“ – „a long time with many highs and victories, but also lows and defeats“. Above all, what matters is the community formed by players, board and all members, that is, the cohesion of the entire table tennis family. For Lackner, „table tennis is a great sport that unfortunately receives too little media attention“. The TuS chairman thanked those responsible for the TT section for their commitment.
The „oldie aces“ against the TuS players
In the first part of the programme, the „oldie aces“ already showed against players of the TT section that they still have what it takes, incorporating astonishing shot variations.
So while Maxi Kessler against Jindrich Pansky and Jonas Lindinger against Milan Orlowski had to accept straight-set defeats, they were at least able to enlarge and enrich their store of experience. Things went similarly for Matthias Kolb and Erwin Wimmer in the doubles against the two Czech masters, who sometimes gave them a little more „room to play“ and thus let them score points, but ultimately struck back move by move and „sealed the deal“ with a flick of the wrist – the first show elements flashed up here! Great applause each time for everyone and already the best atmosphere in the hall! Break to replenish the drinks.
„Football is work, tennis is a craft, table tennis is art“, deputy mayor Hermann Gaßner began his congratulations, fittingly for the anniversary show, and referred to the diamond symbol of the 60th wedding anniversary, which stands for resilience, beauty and hardness. The important thing, he wished the TT section, was to continue this successful work in the same way.
A spectacular show
The table tennis entertainers Milan Orlowski and Jindrich Pansky offered the audience a highly entertaining and thrilling programme in the fastest ball sport, with superb rallies, smashing attacking shots and spectacular „balloon defence“ as well as curious variations: not only were mini and giant bats used, but a shoe and a frying pan were also repurposed into playing equipment. Foot or head were also employed to bring the ball back astonishingly and to fool the „opponent“.
Or a chair was taken to carry on playing a little in „relax position“. But when things got wild, several times it went out over the barriers into the audience for the return. And who says you have to stand at the table when it is much more effective (and more fun) to stand on it and smash the balls down at the „opponent’s“ ears from above. Again and again a wave of applause broke out during the scenes.
Highlight of the show: Milan Orlowski plays well-timed and dynamic shots to Jindrich Pansky, who manages, after his return, to turn a cartwheel, then return the ball again, turn a cartwheel, return the ball again …! For this the two received a thunderous, long final applause from the audience, which was in the best of moods. After thanking them for this impressive and stunning „performance“, section head Wilhelm Kolb presented them with commemorative and culinary gifts from the TT section.
Party in the schoolyard and honours
Everyone then celebrated together, catered for by „Sperl’s eat & drink“ in the schoolyard. Mayor Wolfgang Beißmann thanked the „table tennis family“ for their commitment and for enriching the town’s sporting life – a TT anniversary could never be forgotten because of the section’s „year of birth“, 1966, as this was both the year of the Wembley goal and of the erection of the Wimmer-Ross.
Together with the mayor and the BTTV district board member for special tasks, Ronny Skerath, section head Wilhelm Kolb and his deputy Beate Brandl presented long-standing active members of the TT section with BTTV achievement badges and the accompanying certificates – honoured were: Erwin Wimmer for 30 years of competitive table tennis, Peter Wolfrum and Rainer Appelt for 40 years of competitive table tennis, and Reinhard Kroll for 60 years of competitive table tennis (32 of them with the TT section of TuS).
Wilhelm Kolb thanked the board, the other helpers and the youth team led by youth leader Felix Moschenski for their commitment, „which made this anniversary event a success“.
BTTV district board member Ronny Skerath had the „closing word“ of this official part and kept it short so that the celebrations could continue straight away: „Warm congratulations on the anniversary, at which such a great show was put on. May the table tennis section and the club grow and flourish!“ Then a „cheers, everyone“. Things carried on with tasty shashlik and spicy grilled sausages as well as chilled drinks – and good conversations about the past, the present, the future …
Also welcomed by name were: Renate Reinelt (widow of the founding and honorary chairman of the TT section, Norbert Reinelt), the TuS honorary chairmen Max Beyerlein and Charly Bauer, Stefan Weikert (player and coach of TTC Fortuna Passau up to the 2nd Bundesliga, former team-mate of Milan Orlowski at BG Steiner-Optik Bayreuth) as well as Andreas Weikert (TTC Fortuna Passau, former player of the Oberliga team TT-TuS-Pfarrkirchen).
The table tennis artists
Milan Orlowski (Czech Republic, Prag) Clubs: Sparta Prag, Bayreuth, TTC Jülich, PSV Mühlhausen
Greatest achievements:
- 3-time European champion in singles, doubles and mixed
- 2-time Europe TOP-12 winner
- World Championship runner-up in doubles
- International singles champion of the USA, Italy, Yugoslavia, England and Hungary
- 20-time champion of the former Czechoslovakia in singles, doubles and mixed
- one of the most popular players in Europe
Jindrich Pansky (Czech Republic, Prag) Clubs: Sparta Prag, TTF Ochsenhausen, Augsburg, PSV Mühlhausen
Greatest achievements:
- European champion in mixed
- 2-time World Championship runner-up in doubles and mixed
- 2-time Europe TOP-12 runner-up
- 12-time champion of the former Czechoslovakia in singles, doubles and mixed
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