European Championships | 27 Sep 2014

Portugal vs. Germany, the dream final

After Belgrade 2007, Germany reached the eight consecutive final. For the title in the Men’s Teams Event at the TMS European Championships they will play against host nation – Portugal. Portugal reached the final after thrilling encounter against Sw

After Belgrade 2007, Germany reached the eight consecutive final. For the title in the Men’s Teams Event at the TMS European Championships they will play against host nation – Portugal.

Portugal reached the final after thrilling encounter against Sweden. It was a match full of turnovers that fired up fantastic home crowed in MEO Arena.

Joao MONTEIRO gave Portugal good start after victory over Kristian KARLSSON. He needed four games, one more then Marcos FREITAS in next match. FREITAS succeeded against Par GERELL in straight games. With 2:0 in the pocket and impressive game Portugal was already with one leg in final, but… Tiago APOLONIA had advantage 2:1 against Jon PERSSON before he lost two final sets by narrow margin. Five match balls were wasted in decisive game. The situation had not looked that bright when Marcos returned to the table. He was two games in reverse against KARLSSON before he leveled to win the match.

“We started very well. I was very confident against GERELL and MONTEIRO showed great performance against KARLSSON, but Sweden is very good team, they were all the time seeking for their chance. They seized the opportunity against APOLONIA and KARLSOSS had outstanding start against me. I can not tell I was playing bad, he was just very good,” explained Marcos who play alongside KARLSSON in the French club Pontoise Cergy.

The support from the enthusiastic crowd helped. “Sure. All of us are engaged in the foreign leagues and we have very little chances to present our game to our fans. This is great opportunity and we are enjoying every moment.”

Germany beat Croatia on their way to the ultimate stage.  Steffen MENGEL lost his opening duel against Andrej GACINA, but Timo BOLL and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV stayed on the winning tracks. BOLL beat TAN Riuwu, whilst OVTCHAROV succeeded against Tomislav KOLAREK. In the final game, Timo overcame GACINA who suffered his first defeat at the Championships. “GACINA played fantastically this tournament. He is really in top shape here,” stated OVTCHAROV after the match.

OVTCHAROV”s game against KOLAREK concluded in three games but each one by narrow margin. “I studied his game on video today. He is really good player. I was prepared for a heavy match. Also, I am far from perfect shape. In last few days I took 18 antibiotics and same amount of painkillers. I sleep 12 to 14 hours on day and I am without training. My body suffered from so much medication. I am not felling well at all.”

BOLL was happy about performance of the team. “We are ready for the final. We already played against Portugal here and we know we will have hard match tomorrow. However, we are ready and we are looking forward winning another gold medal.”