Champions League Men | 4 Apr 2017

Orenburg wants to please its fans, Saarbrucken faces mission impossible

“Miracles happen sometimes”, stated Sarbrucken`s coach Slobodan GRUJIC whose club was beaten by Orenburg 3:1 in the 1st semi-final leg of the TTCLM. SALABAEV: “We have a serious advantage”

 

This Thursday, April 6^th, top seeded Fakel Gazproma Orenburg will host Saarbrucken in the returning semi-final clash of the 2016/17 Table Tennis Champions League Men. Russian side won the first game 3:1, thanks to Japanese Jun MIZUTANI who brought two points, beating both Bojan TOKIC and Tiago APOLONIA.

 

"We have a serious advantage before the return match, but the spirit of our players does not become less fighting. Our team wants to please its fans with a beautiful and exciting game”, stressed Orenburg`s coach Valery SALABAEV.

 

Saarbrucken plays good season so far, reaching one final (German Cup) and two semi-finals. Beside TTCLM, they will also play this month semis of Bundesliga against Borussia Dusseldorf. Coach Slobodan GRUJIC is aware how big task awaits his side in Russia:

 

“We face almost mission impossible. People have written us of already, but we are going to fight. We believe that we still have a chance to reach the final, so we`ll fight for every single point. Miracles happen sometimes. If that doesn’t happen, we will not be disappointed, because we already did so much this season. Our players and management of the club deserve big respect for their job so far”.

 

In the other semi-final clash, Borussia Dusseldrof hosts reigning TTCLM champion AS Pontoise Cergy. German side won the first leg 3:0.