Tom Jarvis says he is ready to “step up and contribute more” when England start their European team championships in Croatia.
In the absence of the injured Liam Pitchford, Jarvis is the team leader in world rankings – although he is inferior in experience to both Paul Drinkhall and Sam Walker.
Speaking during the team’s pre-season camp at the Elite Training Center in Sheffield, Jarvis admitted the England squad will feel a little different without Pitchford at the forefront.
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England’s group matches (UK time) are:
- Sunday 12 October (6pm): England women vs Croatia (T3)
- Monday October 13 (9am): England men vs Portugal (T2)
- Tuesday October 14 (9am): England men vs Greece (T3)
- Tuesday October 14 (12:00): England women vs Italy (T3)
“It’s the first time in 10 years that we don’t have the normal four players, with Pitch not available and Connor (Green) coming in,” said Jarvis, “so it will be a bit different. Maybe it’s time for me to step up and contribute more.”
“We still have Paul, who has been there and done it all and can still play at a very high level when we need him, and Sam with all his experience.
“We will all have to try to go the extra mile and bring out the best in each other.”
Jarvis travels to Zadar, on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, with a couple of good wins under his belt at the China Smash, where he says he has shown his best form since competing in the last 16 of the World Championships in Doha in May.
The fourth member of the squad is Green, who has just won bronze in the Europe Youth Top 10, and Jarvis credits the teenager for helping him during his memorable run in Doha.
“Connor really brings good new energy to the team,” said Jarvis. “He achieved a good result in the Youth Top 10 and we are all very happy for him.
“It’s nice to see the program getting good results – we’ve all been waiting for the next person after me.
“I shared a room with him at the World Championships in Doha and it was a really good atmosphere and helped me to perform well.”
England are in Group D and will play Portugal at 9am British time on Monday, followed by Greece at the same time on Tuesday.
Jarvis said: “Portugal are clearly a strong team and have won it before (in 2014) with a similar team. They are a bit older now but still know how to win as a team.”
“I think Greece is difficult for us. Their number 1 (Panagiotis) Gionis is a defender and is difficult, so we will have to think about who will match best and try to take a point from him, and their other players are good too.”
England would normally figure out a way to qualify for the 2026 World Cup by reaching the last 16 in Zadar – but as World Cup hosts, qualification is not something they need to worry about.
Head coach John Murphy says the approach is to at least get to that stage, but also to build momentum in the team heading into London 2026.
“Obviously we would like to progress further in the group,” Murphy said. “That is the first goal, to reach the knockout stages.
“Losing a player of Pitch’s qualities is obviously very difficult for the team. It’s never easy to lose your number 1 player, but it does open doors for younger players like Connor Green.
“We obviously have Paul and Sam, who have played in several World and European Team Championships. And Tom had a very good World Championship.
“Portugal probably start as favorites in the group, I would say, and I would say it’s probably a 50-50 between us and Greece.
“But both games are winnable if we play at our best and that’s why I think the aim is to qualify clearly from the group.
“I think, apart from the performances, it’s about trying to have a good team spirit leading up to the next team championships, the World Cup in London, and coming from this European Championship – whatever the result – with some kind of momentum to London.
The women’s team of Tin-Tin Ho, Tianer Yu, Jasmin Wong and Ella Pashley secured a place at the European Championships earlier this year through the qualifying tournament in Sarajevo.
There is no doubt that Ho is the leader of a young quartet, with Yu and Pashley each making their debuts in a major tournament and Wong being part of the last European team two years ago.
Ho was undefeated in the qualifying tournament and says the team will aim to build on their performances in Bosnia.
“We had a very good team spirit,” said the Londoner. “We were quite disciplined as a team and the bad moments got us through. Hopefully we can continue with that.”
England are in Group G, where they meet hosts Croatia on Sunday at 6pm UK time and Italy at 12pm on Tuesday.
“It’s a good group, there will be a lot of good games,” Ho said. “Both teams are strong and have good players and there are also different styles – I think Croatia has a defender.
“The aim is just to do the best we can and it’s an opportunity for the team to gain experience. They’ve had some in the qualifying event and it’s good for them to go on and get more experience at big events. I think it’s good that we’ve got enthusiastic young players coming through and it’s looking positive.”
And of course, on the horizon is the 2026 World Championships in Ho’s home city. She added: “I haven’t played a World Cup for a while and obviously never played a home world. Everything we do now at the WTTs and in training is focused on that and it’s great to have that buzz and excitement about what we’re working towards.”
Coach Carlo Agnello is on the women’s bench and thinks the team can go in without pressure.
“I hope Tin-Tin can pass on her experience to Ella and Tiana, who will play their first European Championships and try to learn for the future and have a good experience.
I think that being among the best players in Europe and seeing them in the training room, seeing how they prepare and then playing against them in the match is an experience that is invaluable for the future and something that you have to go through if you want to become a good player yourself.
“Qualifying was a great step for them, I think it was a great achievement. And now that we have reached the final stages, I think we have to go in there without pressure, try 100% every match and see what is possible.”
“If everyone plays at their highest level and we can sit on the bench as a team, I think anything is possible.
“Let’s enjoy it, give it everything and see where we end up.”
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