Other Events | 27 Jan 2016

OVTCHAROV leading the European challenge in Berlin

ITTF 2016 World Tour German Open

 

ITTF 2016 World Tour German Open, a Super Series tournament commenced today in the Max-Schmeling-Halle in the capital city of Berlin. Once again the World’s top elite gathered in Germany with MA Long, World’s no. one topping the list. Closest chalenger, leading European player and World’s no. four Dimitrij OVTCHAROV is seeded no. two.

Host nation ace gave interview in the eve of the tournament. In the interview conducted by Thomas BACHMANN, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany underlined how happy he is to be in Berlin again.

“Berlin is one of my favorite cities in Germany because it has something for everyone. It's just an incredibly vibrant city. I'm at least four to five times a year in Berlin, because I have many friends here. I was even here on New Year's Eve with my wife Jenny, my brother and his fiancee.”

German Open came little bit earlier this year.

“Regarding the team's World Championships and the Olympic Games, the timing for this year’s German Open is perfect. We already have four weeks of hard training and a few games in the Champions League behind us; and there is four more weeks before the start of the World Championships.”

This year everything is dedicated to the Olympic Games.

“The German open is very important in terms that the 17 out of 20 best ranked players in the World are here; 42 out of 50. Therefore, it is an indicator to see where you stand before the Olympics. Half year before the Rio 2106 it will bring confidence to some players and show where the improvements must be made.”

In past two and a half years OVTCHAROV is the number one European player and last year he has won all three major events in Europe.