S.A.G. Cestas hard opening against Zugbrücke Grenzau 

07/12/2009 - French team S.A.G. Cestas progressed to the round of 8 of the ETTU Cup much easier than they expected. Due the withdrawn of Russia's DESP Horizont from the 2009-2010 Cup season, French side will start the competition from the fourth round. On Friday they play against Germany's TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau e.V. Manuel PENARROYA Team Manager of S.A.G.Cestas expects hard duel in Germany.

"In this match adversaries have slight advantage. They are the host and they will have great support at the home soil. Indeed, this match takes place to Wangen, Bade-Wurtenberg, 500 km of Grenzau and even if all the supporters of club will not be present there will be enough of German fans who should support their fellow countrymen."

The top players from both teams are in good form. "The leaders of both teams are in top shape. World ranked number 31 Patric BAUM in German team played at the semi-final of the Polish Open at the end of the November. Standing at number 54 on the current ITTF World rankings, our LIN Ju, also had success in Warsaw. LIN played in the quarterfinal."

The rivals knew each other well. "We met Grenzau twice during the season 2007/2008. It was in Champions' League and the success was complete for the S.A.G.Cestas because we had beaten them at the first leg and at the return match with the same score of 3/2. Their line up already then included the names of Lucjan BLASZCZYK and Tomas PAVELKA. On the other side of the table were our members LIU Song and Lubomir PISTEJ."

In French Pro A Cestas had a tough draw at the beginning of the Legaue.  "Regrettably we are classified in last position with Isseenne and Saint Denis. We play the strongest four teams of our Championship and after six Rounds we have 4 defeats, 1 victory and 1draw," explained Manuel PENARROYA Team Manager of S.A.G.Cestas.

(by Milica NIKOLIC, EWT)


Photo: Grenzau's Patrick BAUM (Photo Roscher)