European Championships | 26 Sep 2015

Germany tested all players before knock out stage

OVTCHAROV’s teammates prevailed in five matches duel against Ukraine

 

Without Dimitrij OVTCHAROV in the last match in the Group stage of the Men’s Teams Event at the 2015 LIEBHERR European Championships, Germany secured place in the quarterfinal. They are at the top of the Group B, with surprisingly, Poland on position no. two. Spain failed to justified their seeded position and dropped to place no. three.

 

Germany, seeded no. two at the tournament, started very well the match of the third round against Ukraine. Knowing that they are already at the leading position in their Group, coach Jorg ROSSKOPF gave Dimitrij OVTCHAROV a chance for a short break.

 

Ruwen FILUS opened the encounter with full distance match against KOU Lei, Patric BAUM also went full distance against Oleksandr DIDUKH.

 

Yaroslav ZHMUDENKO overcame Patrick FRANZISKA in straight games, and KOU Lei accounted for BAUM to force the decisive match. It was Ricardo WALTHER who got the chance to enter to the game. On his premiere in Russia Ricardo beat DIDUKH.

 

“I felt little bit under pressure. After Patrick lost his match I start preparing. At the end I am very happy with my game,” said WALTHER.

 

Patrick BAUM was not that happy.

 

“Ukraine lost two matches before us, but it did not change the fact they have three very good players. I am not happy with my performance against KOU Lei. After 1:1 I made advantage 9:4 and eventually lost,” said BAUM.

 

Now is time to focus on second stage.

 

“The completely new tournament is ahead of us. Best eight teams goes to knock out phase. I might put Portugal and Austria aside, but so far I do not see any big favorites for the title. I also do not think a lot about the other teams. It is most important to be focused on our game. If we are at the top of our game, no use of thinking about the others. We have five good players” said ROSSKOPF.

 

Poland beat Spain 3:1 in direct duel for position no. two.