Champions League Men | 26 May 2015

New titles boost self-confidence of TTCLM finalists

Orenburg and Borussia, who will meet this Friday, succesfully defended their crowns in Russia and Germany, respectively

Two European biggest trophy collectors in last ten years will meet in the ultimate clash of the 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League this Friday in Orenburg (May 29th, 13h20 CET), aiming their second titles in just five days! Last Sunday both defended their crowns in national leagues, Borussia Dusseldorf in Germany, and Fakel Gazproma Orenburg in Russia, but now they will fight for the most prestigious trophy in the club`s competition of Old Continent.
Borussia secured a big advantage for the returning leg, beating at home Russian side 3:1 (10:6). Timo BOLL contributed with two points against two Top 10 players on ITTF Ranking list (Vladimir SAMSONOV and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV), while Panagiotis GIONIS added one against Alexey SMIRNOV.
“Of course, it will be difficult to win back after 3:1 defeat, but we`ll know the MECL winner only after the second final match. Our team is aimed at winning the second match”, stressed Orenburg`s coach Valeriy SALABAEV.
Borussia goes to Russia in super mood, with 27th title of Bundesliga in its history. Two days ago in Frankfurter Fraport Arena they defeated Fulda 3:1, playing in front of 3.200 spectators. BOLL again did his job, against WANG Xi and former Borussia`s player Christian SUSS, as well as Greek GIONIS who prevaileg against Ruwen FILUS. Borussia`s manager Andreas PREUSS repeated that it was, like in previous games, the success of all players, including Patrick FRANZISKA who brought some important wins during the season (despite he missed few months due to injury):
“Now we are focused on one more big step, to win TTCLM”.
In the same time, Orenburg defended its title in Russia, after exciting final encounters against its biggest rival UMMC. The final tournament of Russian League was held in Yekaterinburg, and as it was expected, these two clubs fought for the crown. Verkhnaya Pyshma`s side won first final match 4:3 last Saturday, but next day Orenburg secured new title by 4:2 victory. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV won all his four games, beating twice Jun MIZUTANI and Alexander SHIBAEV.