Champions League Men | 24 Jan 2015

Borussia eliminates reigning champion

Borussia Dusseldorf and Wienviertel Niederosterreich joined Orenburg and Chartres in the 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League semi final, after tonight`s victories. Ten times European champion Borussia eliminated reigning MECL champion AS Pontoise Cergy after 3:1 home win, while the 2008 MECL winner was better than Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki winning 3:1 on its soil.

Super exciting match was seen at Dusseldorf`s ARAG Center, where Borussia managed to surpass Pontoise`s advantage from the 1^st leg. French champion won 3:1 (11:6) at home, but tonight German side responded by 3:1 (11:5). It means 17:16 in sets in total for Timo BOLL & Company.

When BOLL played his best table tennis, Borussia can beat every opponent. It was obvious that he was very motivated tonight to beat both Pontoise`s players who defeated him in France. First, he overcame WANG Jian Jun in four sets. Chinese took opening set, but German controlled the game in the next three.

Marcos FREITAS leveled the score after five games against Panagiotis GIONIS. But Greek brought two very important sets to his side. Portuguese missed four match balls (10:7, 11:10) and host evened on 2:2.

Indian Sharat Kamal ACHANTA did big job for Borussia, defeating Kristian KARLSSON in straight games. It was the sign that BOLL needs at least 3:1 win against FREITAS.

Two best players were under enormous pressure, especially BOLL who suffered two defeats from FREITAS in their two recent meetings, first in decisive game of the final match on 2014 Team`s European Championships (Portugal – Germany 3:1) and second in the 1^st quarter final leg of MECL last week. But, tonight great German beat him in four sets.

Niederosterreich again beat Polish champion 3:1. Chinese defender HOU Yingchao was man of the decision, taking four out of six points for his side in both games. Tonight former UMMC player beat OH Sang Eun and Daniel GORAG, twice in straight games. He was especially impressive in the opening encounter when he lost just 10 points against Korean, former world`s no. 9. Now HOU has 10-3 individual score. Third point for Austrian club brought Stefan FEGERL against Pawel FERTIKOWSKI.

Pairs of the 2014/15 MECL semi final are: Orenburg – Niederosterreich, Borussia – Chartres. The matches will be held on March 13-15^th and April 3-5^th.

MECL quarter final leg2

Wienviertel Niederosterreich – Bogoria Grodzisk 3:1
HOU Yingchao – OH Sang Eun 3:0 (11:4, 11:4, 11:2)
Daniel HABESOHN – Daniel GORAK 1:3 (6:11, 11:4, 8:11, 10:12)
Stefan FEGERL – Pawel FERTIKOWSKI 3:0 (11:4, 11:6, 11:4)
HOU Yingchao – Daniel GORAK 3:0 (11:4, 11:4, 11:7)

Borussia Dusseldorf – AS Pontoise Cergy 3:1
Timo BOLL – WANG Jian Jun 3:1 (5:11, 11:2, 10:10, 11:2)
Panagiotis GIONIS – Marcos FREITAS 2:3 (9:11, 8:11, 11:7, 16:14, 5:11)
Sharat Kamal ACHANTA – Kristian KARLSSON 3:0 (11:5, 11:8, 12:10)
Timo BOLL – Marcos FREITAS 3:1 (11:5, 11:6, 7:11, 11:7)

Alex MILETIC, EWT, Alex MILETIC, EWT