After the kick-off in Berlin and the following chapters in Paris and Milan, the tryouts for Lacoste's Europe-wide Crocoliga competition are officially complete.
Hosted by a collective per city in three of Europe’s creative capitals, each trial brought together a diverse range of movers and shapers from across its creative scenes, who battled it out for table tennis glory.
While the trials certainly had a competitive edge (we find that creative people are, perhaps quietly, often keen to win), this shared initiative between Lacoste, Zalando, and Highsnobiety focused more on the joy of the game than the winning of it—a way to foster exchange between sporting, musical, and artistic fields under one roof.
Still, tell that to the finalists, who’ll be converging on Berlin next month (and we imagine they won’t be going easy). In advance of the day, we caught up with the host collectives from each of the three cities—Obby & Jappari in Berlin, DAR Studio in Paris, and Fritto FM in Milan—to get their takes on the energy of the tryouts, what they’ve learned so far, and how they rate their chances in the final.
Kicking off the tryouts in Berlin was Obby & Jappari, a creative studio working across CGI, design, film, photography, and community-driven events. They crowned Kilian Held champion, who'll represent the home city in the final.
HOW WERE YOUR CITY’S CROCOLIGA TRY-OUTS, IN THREE WORDS?
Exciting. Energetic. Unforgettable.
WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT?
Watching complete strangers celebrate and support each other like old friends. The energy in the room felt truly special.
ONE KEY TAKEAWAY FROM THE EVENT?
People may forget who won, but they remember how the event made them feel. Creating that sense of community is what makes an experience last.
YOUR FAVORITE TABLE TENNIS SHOT?
The forehand smash. Nothing beats it when timing, speed, and confidence come together perfectly.
HOW WOULD YOU RATE YOUR CITY’S CHANCES IN THE FINAL?
Our Berlin players brought incredible energy, pushed each other, and brought out the best in everyone. Our winner carries that same energy into the final, and with Berlin being a home game again, we think he has a great chance of taking the title.
Hosting the Parisian tryout was DAR Studio, a creative agency and cultural platform connecting brands with the next generation through sport, music, and fashion. They're cheering on Nathan Riodin in the final.
HOW WERE YOUR CITY’S CROCOLIGA TRY-OUTS, IN THREE WORDS?
Competitive. Community-driven. Très DAR. (“Very cool” in French.)
WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT?
Watching complete strangers become friends—by the end of the tournament, everyone was dancing and cheering together for the players.
ONE KEY TAKEAWAY FROM THE EVENT?
Community always wins. Sport has the power to turn competition into connection and bring people together.
YOUR FAVORITE TABLE TENNIS SHOT?
A clean backhand topspin: fast, precise, and always satisfying when it lands.
HOW WOULD YOU RATE YOUR CITY’S CHANCES IN THE FINAL?
Paris brought both talent and great energy, so we’re backing our winner to make a strong statement in Berlin.
Closing out proceedings in Milan was Fritto FM, a Milan-based community radio operating across Italy and Europe. Winner Giacomo Ceriotti secured the last spot in the final.
HOW WERE YOUR CITY’S CROCOLIGA TRY-OUTS, IN THREE WORDS?
Sweaty, community, and Italian seaside classics.
WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT?
Everything about our referee, the man of the moment Fabio. Especially the all white uniform.
ONE KEY TAKEAWAY FROM THE EVENT?
Witnessing how a game can connect a heterogeneous variety of social bubbles in one moment, and in one place.
YOUR FAVORITE TABLE TENNIS SHOT?
When it’s right on the back line.
HOW WOULD YOU RATE YOUR CITY’S CHANCES IN THE FINAL?
We are not coming to play, we are coming to win. “Andiamo a Berlino, Beppe!”
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