Training tables have become a scarcity for the more than 600 players as the world championships got under way in the Croatian capital yesterday.
Only 14 tables were available in the crowded practice hall as the Hong Kong team descended on the training area in the morning along with hundreds of others desperate to fine-tune their preparations.
Tie Yana, one of Hong Kong's major hopes in the women's singles, and Zhang Rui had to take turns with China's Guo Yan, the world number three, and Cao Zhen.
Towards the end of their session, the quartet were joined by two Dutch players, making it six players sharing one table.
'The tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis and every player has to compete for them,' said Hong Kong women's team coach Li Huifen. 'Of course it is inadequate. If you come late, you have to wait until other people finish, or, like the Dutch pair, you need to ask for others' permission to share the already congested table.'
There was no exception made for the top players. Olympic and world champion Zhang Yining of China received the same treatment. She and her partner had to train with two European women sharing the same table. Four players, including defending men's champion Wang Liqin from China, were training on another table.