Donic Piranja CD – this is a classic long pips table tennis rubber designed for defensive players (DEF, DEF+) looking for high control and strong spin reversal. The name “CD” stands for “Classic Defence,” emphasizing the rubber’s suitability for traditional defensive play, though it also meets the demands of modern defensive styles. With a soft sponge (~40°–45°, Medium), ribbed pips structure, and no tensioned technology, Piranja CD is a versatile weapon that complements the Donic Slice 40 CS perfectly. ITTF approved and made in Germany, this rubber stands out for its excellent control, spin reversal, and spin variation capability, suitable for close-to-table and distant defensive play.
Key features:
• Rubber type: Long pips
• Speed: 3
• Spin (effect): 3–10
• Control: 8-
• Disruptive effect: 8
• High tension: No
• Tackiness: No
• Strategy: DEF, DEF+
• Surface: Long, ribbed pips
• Sponge hardness: Soft (~40°–45°, Medium)
• Sponge thickness: OX, 0.3–0.6 mm, 1.0–1.3 mm
• Colors: Red, black
• Country of origin: Germany
• Approvals: ITTF approved
Donic Piranja CD features a construction optimized for defensive play:
• Sponge (soft, medium-hard): The soft sponge (~40°–45°, Medium) with fine-pore structure provides a gentle feel and high control, enabling precise ball placement when blocking, pushing, and counter-attacking. Compared to Donic Piranja Formula Tec (~32°, softer, with Formula DONIC), the Piranja CD sponge is firmer, closer to Donic Alligator ARC (~45°), offering more stability and lower speed. Sponge thickness (OX, 0.3–0.6 mm, 1.0–1.3 mm) allows choice: OX (no sponge) is ideal for maximum spin reversal and disruption, while 1.0–1.3 mm allows for more versatile play with added power. The structure is optimized for defense, spin variation, and counter-attacks.
• Top sheet: Long, ribbed pips ensure very good spin reversal, especially effective against topspin shots, and allow spin variation when pushing or blocking. The top sheet is less grippy than tensioned rubbers (e.g., Desto F4), but the ribbed structure increases disruptive effect, causing a “wobble” effect on the ball. The top sheet is durable (~100–150 hours for defensive play) and requires regular cleaning with Donic cleaner.
• Classic technology: Unlike the Piranja Formula Tec with Formula DONIC, Piranja CD lacks the speed glue effect, offering a traditional feel focused on control and spin reversal. Ribbed pips and soft sponge create a stable, predictable response ideal for modern defense, including pushing, blocking, and countering.
• Spin reversal and disruption: Due to long, flexible pips and ribbed structure, the rubber effectively reverses opponent’s spin (e.g., topspin becomes backspin), creating a disruptive effect. This is especially useful when blocking at the table or defending from afar. Disruptive effect (interfering operation: 8) is stronger than Donic Alligator ARC but lower than Piranja Formula Tec with tensioned technology.
• Trajectory: Piranja CD produces a lower, straighter trajectory compared to tensioned rubbers (e.g., Desto F4), ideal for blocking and disruption. The flight path is unpredictable to the opponent due to spin reversal and the “wobble” effect, especially when using OX or thin sponges.
The rubber weighs about 30–40 g (cut, 1.0 mm thickness; OX ~20–25 g), making it lighter than Desto F4 (~43–47 g) or Liga Plus (~40–45 g), suitable for players seeking a lightweight defensive blade. Offered in red and black colors, compliant with ITTF rules. Water-based glue is recommended (e.g., Donic Vario), along with protective film. The OX version has a built-in glue sheet.
Donic Piranja CD features the following technical characteristics:
• Speed: 3 (controlled). The rubber is very slow, focused on defense, blocking, and spin reversal rather than attack. Speed is lower than Piranja Formula Tec (~5–6) or Donic Alligator ARC (~4), making it ideal for defensive play close to or away from the table.
• Spin (effect): 3–10 (high, depending on technique). The rubber generates strong spin reversal, especially effective against topspin, and allows spin variation when pushing. Spin is higher than Liga Plus (90) or Liga (69), but depends on player technique and sponge thickness (OX offers maximum disruption).
• Control: 8- (high). The rubber offers excellent control due to the soft sponge and flexible pips, especially when blocking, pushing, and countering. Control is higher than Piranja Formula Tec, but slightly lower than Desto F4 (99) or Liga (97).
• Disruptive effect: 8 (high). Thanks to the ribbed pips and spin reversal, the rubber creates a strong disruptive effect, especially in the OX version, causing “wobble” and unpredictable ball flight.
Trajectory: Low, straight arc with disruptive effect, suitable for blocking, pushing, and counter-attacks. Users praise the “great spin reversal,” “control,” and “disruptive effect,” especially when blocking close to the table.
Donic Piranja CD is suitable for defensive and all-round blades:
• Donic Defplay Senso: Maximizes control, suitable for DEF players
• Butterfly Matsushita Pro: Provides stability, ideal for DEF+ play
• Stiga Defensive Classic: Balances control and disruption, suitable for DEF players
• Donic Cayman: Emphasizes spin reversal, suitable for DEF+ play
• Yasaka Extra Defensive: Enhances defense, suitable for DEF players
The rubber pairs best with DEF or DEF+ blades, as the soft sponge and long pips utilize the blade’s stability and control. Most commonly used on the backhand, but can be used on the forehand by more aggressive defenders (e.g., OX version).
Donic Piranja CD is intended for players focused on defense and disruption:
• Defensive players (DEF, DEF+): who manage spin reversal, blocking, pushing, and counter-attacks
• Play close to the table and far from it: effective in blocking, pushing, spin variation at the table or defending from a distance
• Spin reversal: Strong spin reversal against topspin shots, producing backspin and disruptive effect
• Blocking: Outstanding control and disruptive effect when blocking close to the table, especially with OX or 0.3–0.6 mm sponge
• Pushing and spin variation: Ribbed pips allow spin variation, creating unpredictable strokes
• Counter-attacks: 1.0–1.3 mm sponge allows precise counters and unexpected attacks
The rubber is highly effective for blocking (9.8/10), pushing (9.6/10), spin reversal (9.5/10), and counter-attacks (9.0/10). In attacking (7.5/10) and looping (6.5/10), its limited speed requires good technique. Users highlight “control,” “disruptive effect,” and “ease of handling.”