Champions League Men | 19 Feb 2023

ECL final: Borussia Düsseldorf vs. 1. FC Saarbrücken TT

At the end of the next month we will have the re-run of the 2021 Champions League Men final. In the ultimate stage of this year’s edition of most prestige club competition, the title will be decided in the clash between Borussia Düsseldorf and 1. FC Saarbrücken TT. In the day packed with thrilling matches Borussia Düsseldorf overcame TTC Neu-Ulm in golden match and 1. FC Saarbrücken TT prevailed against Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V - 3:1.

On their way to the 11th final, seven times winners, Borussia Düsseldorf overcame TTC Neu-Ulm after narrow opening leg defeat 2:3. The match in sold out ARAG CenterCourt also went full distance, but concluded in hosts’ favor. The fight was extended to thrilling golden match.

Anton KÄLLBERG beat Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 3:2 (11:5, 11:7, 8:11, 4:11, 6:4) to give Borussia Düsseldorf dream start, but he could not repeat the result in another, full five games, duel against Tomokazu HARIMOTO (11:4, 12:10, 5:11, 8:11, 3:6).

Dang QIU was unbeatable tonight. He overcame HARIMOTO  3:2 (11:8, 4:11, 11:9, 5:11, 6:5) and he needed one game less to overcome Dimitrij OVTCHAROV in the decisive match (17:15, 11:13, 11:9, 11:4).

Truls MÖREGARDH overcame Timo BOLL 11:6, 9:11, 6:11, 18:16, 6:4).

In golden match KÄLLBERG beat HARIMOTO 13:11, and QIU overcame MÖREGARDH 11:8.

“I believe in this team. Last Wednesday we were very close to win it and I was confident in our chances here in ARAG CenterCourt. All the matches here were so close, we were very even in all duels, especially in golden match,” said QIU.”

QIU pointed that the system with golden match was a new experience to him.

“When KÄLLBERG beat HARIMOTO it gave me extra confidence. OVTCHAROV beat me in recent matches, but even on our last clash this week I was very close. Today, when I won the opening game 17:15, it boosted my confidence.”

Borussia Düsseldorf coach Danny HEISTER explained what went through his mind when he saw Timo losing to Truls.

“I was only looking to next ball, I was not thinking what happened. Even when it was 3:2 for us my mind was set on tactics and what we had to do. Of course it was difficult, Timo had 4-5 match balls, but nevertheless we recovered thanks to amazing performance from each player of the team and I am really proud of them. “

TTC Neu-Ulm coach Dimitrij MAZUNOV said: “We were in very difficult situation today, by losing 0:2 and Truls was 1:2 down against BOLL. However, Truls recovered from so many game match balls to win it. We were in the game until the last minute with OVTCHAROV’s very close defeat against QIU. However that is the beauty of this game. The crucial moment was the decisive match when Dima had 10:8 in the opening game and 8:4 in third game. We were so close .