A few seconds of silence suddenly interrupted the busy warm-up of the 60 young players on September 11, 2005: That was when the romanian national anthem was presented, saying "Welcome" to very special guests who, partly surprised, partly unsure, were really happy about this little symbol. Guests the organisers wouldn't have expected in their wildest dreams. Romgaz Medias from eastern Romania sent two boys' teams, among them a national player, and extended the entry field to a distance of two thousand km. Almost neighbors, compared to that, seemed the SV Werder Bremen, who also doubled the distance record in the men's events. And of course, our dear friends from our partner city As in the Czech Republic were present as always.

This is how a one-day men's district league competition became a Europe-wide event for men, women, boys and girls of all playing levels, bringing together players and officials from any region and giving them the opportunity to exchange about tabletennis as well as culture, politics and so on. "We feel very happy about this development", says Torsten Kueneth, one of the two inventors of this event, "because sport is carrying many social functions. Sport is teaching you for your life: How can I keep calm in critical situations ? How do I deal with setbacks and being defeated ? ´Moreover, sports is health care and drug prevention, especially for young people." This sports competition is therefore also seen as engagement in social aspects, "which has always been important to the head organiser Arndt Peckelhoff and me." Several of todays top players in South Germany have already played at the rehau tournament. Eleven years of Herbert Kern Tournament: New friendships grew, incredible matches got possible: "TV Rehau versus Werder Bremen - how should this ever be possible on district league level - except at our event ?"

Sine 2003, the organisers can sleep well even with large participant lists, because they have learned: "Anything goes." At that time, with 354 players in 120 teams the all-time record was reached. 252 people where playing already on the first of two weekends. Since then, not only is Rehau clearly the largest team tournament in Bavaria but, as far as is known, also in the whole of South Germany. With 38 men's teams the venue seemed to burst when on Sunday, September 7, 2003 the local leagues' event started. 152 players had to be allocated to 16 tables, and every team should have the chance to play at least four matches. The system of play, tailor-made in advance with twelve groups, worked: Until half past seven almost 20.000 rallies had been played without any problems. Since then, Arndt Peckelhoff and Torsten Küneth know: "Playing hall and system can catch up with 48 teams or 200 players per day."

Due to its size, the event was several times on TV: A regional broadcaster recorded hours of material and put in on air in their sports magazine in the evening. "The top is where we are", says Torsten Küneth, "but I do not say so to brag about it: Our message to all people engaging in sports in their spare time is: Your work is being rewarded, it is a big thing both for you and the society. However time-consuming it is, you can move things you have never thought you could."

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