The Olympic silver medallists are coming to Preston to take on England’s finest table tennis players.

The city has been chosen to host the European Championships qualifying tie between England Leopards women and Germany on Tuesday December 13.

The Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre at the University of Central Lancashire will host the match – the centre was the venue for England versus Australia prior to the 2014 Commonwealth Games and has also staged age-group national table tennis championships.

It is a prestige tie – as well as finishing second behind China at the Rio Games, Germany have won the last three European Championship titles and can select the likes of world No 7 Han Ying and world No 14 Petrissa Solja.

But England have some big-hitters of their own in the shape of Commonwealth Games medallists Tin-Tin Ho and Kelly Sibley.

It promises to be an exceptional match and a rare chance to see some of the best players in the world!

Table Tennis England Chief Executive Sara Sutcliffe said: “The Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre has a track record of delivering first-class table tennis events and we’re therefore delighted to return there for this key fixture.”

Preston table tennis stalwart Jim Clegg said:

“Preston Table Tennis Club is delighted once again to have the privilege of working with The University of Central Lancashire in bringing International table tennis back to the North West of England.

“I’m sure this will be a great advert for Table Tennis at its very best.”

Tickets will go on sale next month via theticketfactory.com – and you can already book tickets for England men’s match against Greece in Stoke on November 1 and the women’s match against Slovenia in Gillingham on November 22.