"Youth is a wonderful thing," mused Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. "What a crime to waste it on children." While Shaw may have concealed more than a kernel of truth in this jest, often paraphrased as "Youth is wasted on the young," this sweeping generalization belies the fact that many persons of tender age do in fact capitalize handsomely on their ephemeral advantages. Many such young go-getters will gather next month in Berlin for the Europe Youth Top 10. Held October 9-11 at TCC Berlin Eastside, the event will be a joint effort between the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) and the German Table Tennis Federation (DTTB). 40 of the best young players on the continent will compete in four disciplines: junior girls and boys junior (under 18), and cadet girls and boys (under 15). The illustrious championships have been held annually for 35 years. Germany has played host on two previous occasions, and their four entrants in this year's championships hope that the third time will be a charm. Previous Europe Youth Top 10 champions from Germany include current German women's #1 Petrissa Solja, ranked 20th in the world, and Timo Boll (German men's #1, world #10, pictured here at age 15). According to TCC Berlin Eastside president Alexander Teichmann, his club is more than prepared to handle the logistics of hosting a major international tournament, even under the uniquely challenging circumstances which will forever define 2020. "Through women's table tennis at the highest level in the Bundesliga and Champions League,... we are very familiar with the organization of top events in Berlin," boasted Teichmann. "We are looking forward to hosting Europe's youth elite in October and we are well prepared in every respect, also with regard to the conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic." As the platoon of talented youngsters storming Berlin next month more than capably prove, not all children commit the unspeakable crime of wasting their youth.

More at ETTU