Post Sportverein Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. overcame HB Ostrov z.s. in Germany in the opening leg of the Europe Cup Men semifinal. Irvin BERTRAND made a strong start against Andrej GACINA. Although the Croatian managed to recover, the French player withstood GACINA’s spirited comeback to give the German side the early lead with win in decisive game. Vladislav URSU then leveled the score for the Czech team with a win over Ovidiu IONESCU. Daniel HABESOHN responded by defeating Pavel ŠIRUČEK, and BERTRAND later recorded his second win of the day to seal the match in Mühlhausen’s favor. After the match, HABESOHN reflected on the team’s performance and the importance of home support: “We had a very good start, especially in the first match, and we showed a good performance overall. I think we also had the advantage of the home match on our side. It was very loud, many people were supporting us. This was maybe, for the players who didn’t know our hall, a little bit surprising how loud it was,” explained HABESOHN. “BERTRAND brought us 1-0 in front directly. Then IONESCU had his chances against URSU. Unfortunately, he lost in a tough game — it was a little bit tactical. At 1-1, I played a very good match against ŠIRUČEK. This was maybe already a little bit deciding, because the pressure was high on the side of the Czech team. BERTRAND, he played very well today. He showed a good performance, he played solid. In the end, this was the key for our victory.” The team now turns its attention to the crucial away leg: “It’s not done. It’s like a first step. The Czech team is a good one and we need to take care. They can play very well. Also, they have some experienced players like GACINA. We need to be prepared for the second match away. We are fully focused on the second match now, and hopefully we can repeat the shape we showed today.” The return leg is scheduled for 31st May in Havlíčkův Brod. In the other semifinal, Czechia’s SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA claimed a valuable 3-1 away victory over ASC GRÜNWETTERSBACH in Germany. Postsportverein Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. – HB Ostrov z.s. 3-1
FIBRAIN KU AZS Politechnika Rzeszów Continue Dream Season
FIBRAIN KU AZS Politechnika Rzeszów defeated Saint-Denis 93 TT in the opening leg of the Europe Cup Women semifinal, continuing what has already been a dream season for the Polish club. The return leg is scheduled for June 9. In the other semifinal, Budaörsi Sport Club will face SKST Plus Hodonín tomorrow in Hungary. Fen LI was the driving force behind the Polish team’s success, delivering two crucial victories over Yin LIU and Prithika PAVADE. French star PAVADE also fell to Zuzanna WIELGOS, who added another point to the Rzeszów tally. The only win for the French side came from Agathe AVEZOU, who overcame Katarzyna GRZYBOWSKA-FRANC. WIELGOS expressed her delight after the match:“I am very happy with the win over the French club. I won my match against PAVADE 3:0 — she is among the top 20 players in the world, which makes this victory even more satisfying. Fen won two matches confidently. Kasia unfortunately lost, but she also played well. I’m happy and we hope to win with the same ratio or better in the rematch.” This European success follows a historic domestic triumph for PGE Fibrain AZS Politechnika Rzeszów. In a major upset, they dethroned 32-time Polish champions and four-time Champions League Women winners, KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg, claiming the national title for the first time in club history. Remarkably, they achieved this feat in only their second season in the top division, stunning the favorites with a brilliant performance. FIBRAIN KU AZS POLITECHNIKA RZESZOW – Saint-Denis 93 TT 3-1
2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4: German Giants Face Rising Polish Force in Saarbrücken Showdown
The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the Champions League Men 2024/25 season, with the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4 taking place on May 31 and June 1, 2025, at the home of defending champions 1. FC Saarbrücken Tischtennis e.V. Four top teams will battle for the prestigious title in Saarbrücken, with two German powerhouses returning to the final stage and two Polish clubs making history by reaching the Final 4 for the very first time. German Powerhouses Back in the Spotlight Reigning champions 1. FC Saarbrücken TT secured their place in the HYLO Final 4 with commanding performances in both legs of their quarterfinal clash against GV Hennebont TT. Led by Truls MOREGAARD, Patrick FRANZISKA, and Darko JORGIC, the hosts showed depth and control, overcoming early pressure to dispatch the French side with little drama. Joining them once again is Borussia Düsseldorf, the most decorated club in Champions League Men history with six titles. Last year’s runners-up demonstrated their pedigree by defeating the French side Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier, home to rising stars Félix and Alexis LEBRUN. After a 3-0 win in France, the return leg at a packed ARAG CenterCourt in Düsseldorf brought further excitement as Dang QIU, Anton KÄLLBERG, and Timo BOLL completed the job in front of 1,100 spectators. Historic Polish Breakthrough This year’s HYLO Champions League Final 4 will also mark a significant milestone for Polish table tennis, with two clubs reaching the final stage for the first time. KS GLOBAL PHARMA ORLICZ 1924 SUCHEDNIÓW pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks of the season in an all-Polish quarterfinal against KS Dekorglass Działdowo. After suffering a 3-0 defeat at home in the first leg, Jeongwoo PARK, Deni KOZUL, and Mateusz ZALEWSKI rallied to a 3-1 win in the return leg, then triumphed in the golden match to seal their ticket to Saarbrücken. Meanwhile, KS DARTOM BOGORIA Grodzisk Mazowiecki was the first team to book its spot in the Final 4. The Polish side dominated Solex Consult TTC Wiener Neustadt from Austria, winning both legs 3-0. Despite the clear scoreline, the Austrians—semifinalists in the previous edition—put up a strong fight, particularly in the first leg where two matches went the distance. The 2025 HYLO Final 4 in Saarbrücken promises a thrilling mix of experience and ambition. As Borussia Düsseldorf and 1. FC Saarbrücken aim to continue their legacy, both Polish clubs will be eager to prove that their historic breakthroughs were no fluke. Fans can expect high-stakes drama, elite performances, and the crowning of a new chapter in Champions League Men history. SEMIFINALS 31st May FINAL 1st June 2 PM CET
GIONIS: We’re Ready to Fight – Bogoria Set to Face Borussia Düsseldorf
In Saarbrücken, KS Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki will face Borussia Düsseldorf in the semifinal of the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4. The Polish club has named Panagiotis GIONIS, Milosz REDZIMSKI, Marek BADOWSKI, and Takuya JIN for the event. Representing Borussia Düsseldorf will be Timo BOLL, Anton KÄLLBERG, Dang QIU, Borgar HAUG, and Kay STUMPER, under the guidance of head coach Danny HEISTER. “We haven’t had the chance to train together yet, but starting today we’ll all be in Saarbrücken. We’ll have three days to prepare as a team,” announced GIONIS. Bogoria will be up against one of Europe’s most decorated clubs — a six-time Champions League winner and six-time Europe Cup of Champions titleholder. “They’re an incredibly experienced team with so many titles. Naturally, they are the favorites, but we’re going to fight,” said the Greek star. “They have top-level players like Dang QIU and Anton KÄLLBERG, and of course, Timo BOLL – the greatest legend ever. I know these are his final matches in the Champions League, and I’m sure he will be very well prepared.” GIONIS also highlighted the strengths of his own team: “I hope Milosz will be in top form, if he is, he can beat anyone. He’s a fantastic player, improving every day. With his strength and my experience, we can achieve a lot. Takuya JIN is one of Japan’s best, a fierce fighter, and Badowski is also in great shape and brings valuable experience. He can easily create an upset if the opportunity arises.” “Most importantly, we’ll be playing without pressure. The expectations are on the German side since they are the favorites.” Reflecting on his recent appearance at the World Championships in Doha, Gionis added: “After Qatar, I took some time to rest. I had a minor injury that I picked up in the second-round match against KAO Cheng-Jui.”
