Twelve teams compete at the World Team Classic; the six champions of each continent and the six highest-ranked teams in the world.

The teams are drawn into groups of three, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knock-out rounds.

The tournament itself is due begin with the group stages on Thursday (March 28), running through until the final stages, which are due to be held on Sunday (March 31).

"The World Team Classic is a very important part of ITTF's calendar" said ITTF President Adham Sharara.

"It allows the champions of each continent to have a chance to compete against the world's best for the lucrative prize money on offer"

(Left-to-right) London 2012 gold medallists Ma Long, Wang Hao and Zhang Jike will all be a part of China's men's team at the ITTF World Team Classic

China, who were nominated for this year's Laureus Team of the Year Award due to their sheer dominance in the sport, will have their men and women's team's spearheaded by the world's best in Guangzhou.

World number one Ma Long and Olympic singles champion Zhang Jike will lead the Chinese men's team, which consists of the four top-ranked players in the world, with reigning Asian Cup champion Xu Xin, Olympic silver medallist Wang Hao and three-time men's singles world champion Wang Liqin making up the extremely strong squad.

Germany are seen as China's main competition for the crown, but following the withdrawal of star player Timo Boll, as well as Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the European champions will be hard-pushed to compete with the might of the Chinese.

The Chinese women's team are equally well-equipped as their men's team, also boasting world number one Ding Ning and London 2012 singles gold medallist Li Xiaoxia, along with the 21-year-old Liu Shiwen, Wu Yang and surprise inclusion Chang Chenchen.

With a prize fund of $268,000 (£175,000/€200,000) on offer, the ITTF World Team Classic is sure to be fiercely contested, but you certainly wouldn't bet against both Chinese teams asserting their superiority once more and taking gold on all fronts.

All the action will be streamed live at ITTF.com/itTV, commencing with the opening stages on March 28, right up to the finals on March 31.

Contact the writer of this story at james.crook@insidethegamesbiz

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