Champions League Men | 22 Mar 2013

Chartres’ historical night in Dusseldorf

Chartres ASTT achieved its best ever success reaching 2012/2013 Men’s European Champions League final. French champion lost 3:1 (9:5) in semi final second leg at Dusseldorf`s ARAG Center, but continues thanks to better win at home, 3:1 (11:5). The most successful club ever, ten times European champion, Borussia second time in a row stays without MECL crown after three consecutive victorious seasons (2009-2011).

The Lions were faced with one more problem after bad result at Chartres: Christian SUSS needs another right knee surgery. Borussia`s coach Danny HEISTER set young Ricardo WALTHER on no.2, knowing that Chartres` no. 1 GAO Ning is unbeatable this season, to be sure that can count on one clear point on no.3 where he moved two times individual European vice-champion Patrick BAUM.

Opening match showed that Borussia has no capacity to overcome French side tonight. Timo BOLL managed to beat Robert GARDOS, but lost one precious set. Austrian missed totally three set balls (two in first and one in fourth set).

Ricardo WALTHER played excellent in first set against GAO Ning, but Singaporean won in straight games, continuing as unique unbeaten MECL player (9-0 score). World’s no. 14 plays his best season at Chartres jersey and this is his fourth one.

After that French champion needed just one set for the final. And Par GERELL did it against Patrick BAUM who played confident until third game.

Timo BOLL defeated Damien ELOI in last encounter without any significance. Great German, six times individual champion of Old Continent, ends this MECL season with 14-2 score.

Chartres ASTT plays in the final against reigning MECL champion Fakel Gazproma Orenburg. First leg will be held in the middle of April (12-15th) whilst ultimate game is coming two weeks later (26-29th).

Borussia Dusseldorf – Chartres ASTT 3:1
Timo BOLL – Robert GARDOS 3:1 (13:11, 7:11, 11:3, 12:10)
Ricardo WALTHER – GAO Ning 0:3 (11:13, 8:11, 7:11)
Patrick BAUM – Par GERELL 3:1 (11:7, 11:8, 6:11, 11:5)
Timo BOLL – Damien ELOI 3:0 (11:6, 11:3, 13:11)

Alex MILETIC, EWT, Alex MILETIC, EWT