Champions League Men | 25 Jul 2013
Berlin try out for outstanding WECL
As 2012 Women’s European Champions League winner, Berlin Eastside must prove its class in the best club’s competition, but in the same time it’s clear that nobody can promise something special in upcoming season. The facts told us that the best WECL is co
As 2012 Women’s European Champions League winner, Berlin Eastside must prove its class in the best club’s competition, but in the same time it’s clear that nobody can promise something special in upcoming season. The facts told us that the best WECL is coming, with eight strong clubs and more than ever title pretenders.
“We are in a very strong group with very attractive teams. It will be very difficult to reach the half final. But our team is also very strong and I think the other teams will be also not happy when they must play against us. But we re very happy about this strong Champions League and our spectators and sponsors will see great matches”, explained Alexander TEICHMANN, President of TTC Berlin Eastside.
Berlin Eastside is no. 4 seed and shares the hardest WECL Group A with top seed Fenerbahce Sport Club, the 2012 finalist SVS STROCK (German team beat them in the final) and one more newcomer, French Metz TT who has former individual European champion WU Jaiduo.
Unique German side in the competition prepares a better squad then in previous WECL editions. Petra LOVAS (world’s no. 73) left the club, but arrival of Kristin SILBEREISEN (no. 37) and SHAN Xiaona (no. 47), who reached three times in a row Round of 16 on strong Pro Tours this year, guarantee more competitive team. Well known defender Irene IVANCAN, silver medalist on 2011 European Championships at Gdansk-Sopot, continues as Hungarian Georgina POTA who established herself among top eight of continental championships for years. POTA, IVANCAN and LOVAS brought unique WECL title to Berlin a year ago.
Berlin opens new season against Metz TT, on September 6-9th. Next round (18-20th October) could show how far the team can go, because they will meet Fenerbahce who has four Top 38 players from ITTF World Ranking list (Viktoria PAVLOVICH no. 15, Elizabeta SAMARA no. 19, CHENG I-Ching no. 33 and HU Melek no. 38). Both games will be played at Berlin whilst first abroad match comes on late October, in Austria.
