As the ITTF Individual World Championships in Rotterdam (8^th - 15^th of May) approaches, fewer opportunities are available for players to measure themselves against the best prior to this event.

Next week, at the ITTF German Open in Dortmund (23^rd - 27^th February), this tournament offers the last test before the World Cup.  Virtually all the top stars will be participating in both events.

Right in the middle of all the action at the German Open will be a strong delegation of players from the Werner Schlager Academy training group. 

Among the men will be Joao Monteiro of Portugal (living and training since the summer of 2010 in Schwechat) and Austria's National Team member Stefan Fegerl.  The WSA ladies are even more well represented, with the complete team of SVS STRÖCK; Daniela Dodean, Huang Yi-Hua, and Austria's number two Li Qiangbing.  In addition, Austria's young hopeful, Nicole Galitschitsch, a member of the WSA training group since September of 2010, hopes to continue her improvement in Dortmund.