Chartres will fight until the end

After first final leg of 2012/13 Men’s European Champions League, played last Friday at Chartres, seems that no one is disappointed. Russian Fakel Gazproma Orenburg, reigning MECL champion, won 3:1 (10:7), but everyone in the French champion are proud on ,

After first final leg of 2012/13 Men’s European Champions League, played last Friday at Chartres, seems that no one is disappointed. Russian Fakel Gazproma Orenburg, reigning MECL champion, won 3:1 (10:7), but everyone in the French champion are proud on theirselves. Club’s president Loic BREHU believes that his side will not be without any chance in returning game at Orenburg (April 26th, 12h20 CET).

“We enjoed a beautiful event, with the best players. It has been a great evening of table tennis, nice atmosphere and unique entertainment. We will go to Russia with the aim to fight until the end. We showed that we could compete against them”.

Fourth Chartres` player Damien ELOI says that he expected more from first final encounter, but however praised his team mates for good fight. It is a bad start for sure, but as long as there is life, there is hope! We will do our best to create a great feat at Russia”.

Host started excellent, as GAO Ning beat Vladimir SAMSONOV in four sets. Singaporean lost opening set, but in next three he had no any problem. Dima OVTCHAROV leveled against Par GERELL, while Alexey SMIRNOV has brought the lead to Orenburg, beating Robert GARDOS. Both matches had four sets each.

Finally, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist decided the winner in five sets long clash with Singaporean who was unique unbeaten MECL player until that moment. It was, no doubt, the best fight of the night.

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The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) is the governing body of the sport of table tennis in Europe, and is the only authority recognized for this purpose by the International Table Tennis Federation. The ETTU deals with all matters relating to table tennis at a European level, including the development and promotion of the sport in the territories controlled by its 58 member associations, and the organization of continental table tennis competitions, including the European Championships.

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