Champions League Men | 7 Apr 2015

Borussia counts on team spirit

After four years, two top seeded clubs will play again in Men’s European Champions League final, and again it will be Fakel Gazproma Orenburg (no. 1) and Borussia Dusseldorf (no. 2). These two clubs are still on these positions since Russian champion debuted in this prestigious competition, in 2010/11 season, but they just met in the final in the first out of last four editions, when the best German club took third consecutive title. Since that, Orenburg played in all three finals against three different opponents, reaching two (2011/12 against UMMC, 2012/13 Chartres) and lost one (Pontoise 2013/14).

Everybody in Borussia are happy that they will again fight for the crown, especially bearing in mind that they passed through very hard time in the last three seasons (almost each player has been injured in one moment). Last weekend, in the second leg of the semi-final, they beat Chartres ASTT 3:1, as they did in France.

“I’m very glad that we won the game”, stressed Coach Danny HEISTER speaking for Borussia`s website. “We played great, Timo (BOLL) of course, but Patrick (FRANZISKA) has played great all the time, as well as Kamal (ACHANTA). Orenburg is still far away; first we have to play against Saarbrücken semi-final of Bundesliga and then stand still in the national championship. But of course we are looking forward to the MECL final. ”

Manager Andreas PREUSS praised all players after they secured first final after four years: “We are in the Champions League final and we have achieved a major goal for the season. Orenburg is the favorite because beside OVTCHAROV also SAMSONOV again plays top table tennis, but anything is possible. We have a team spirit and perhaps that could make a difference at the end. ”

Borussia`s man for special tasks – how PREUSS described Indian Kamal ACHANTA – is looking forward to his first MECL final which will be held on May 8-10th and 29-31st : “It’s my big goal, to win the Champions League. I am extremely happy that we are in the final and really have a chance to win the title, it is a great final. ”

Alex MILETIC, EWT, Alex MILETIC, EWT