Champions League Men | 10 Oct 2014

Third 3:0 win in a row for Orenburg

Men’s European Champions League no. 1 seed, Fakel Gazproma Orenburg beat Roskilde Bordtennis 3:0 in opening game of Round 3. Russian champion achieved its third consecutive maximum victory this season, loosing just seven sets in total (27-7 set ratio). One of the main reasons why two-time MECL champion looks so powerful depends by fact that they played almost in every game of last four seasons play iwith same line-up: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, Vladimir SAMSONOV, Alexey SMIRNOV.

Today their opponent was Danish side, returnee in the main club’s competition in Europe. Allan BENTSEN and his team mates suffered their third defeat in a row, having now just small chance to reach third spot in Group A, which means a ticket for the ETTU Cup quarter-final. On the other side, Russian team is practically reserved the place for top eight stage of MECL.

Individual European champion Dimitrij OVTCHAROV beat Claus NIELSEN in straight games of the first match. Confidently, three times 11:8…

Former triple single continental champion Vladimir SAMSONOV was better than the 2005 team’s ECH gold medalist Finn TUGWELL (together with Allan BENTSEN). Bielorussian, who is the best Orenburg`s player according to voting of the club website visitors, was in his usual shape, except in third set.

The best no. 3 player in MECL for years, Alexey SMIRNOV confirmed new Orenburg`s win, beating Allan BETNSEN in five games. In the clash between two most experienced players from both sides, Dane leaded twice.

Men’s European Champions League, Round 3

Fakel Gazproma Orenburg – Roskilde Bordtennis 3:0
Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Claus NIELSEN 3:0 (11:8, 11:8, 11:8)
Vladimir SAMSONOV – Finn TUGWELL 3:1 (11:3, 11:7, 7:11, 11:4)
Alexey SMIRNOV – Allan BENTSEN 3:2 (10:12, 11:9, 6:11, 11:7, 11:9)

Alex MILETIC, EWT, Alex MILETIC, EWT