Reigning champions 1. FC Saarbrücken TT began their title defence on heated Polish soil with a hard-earned 3–2 victory over Dojlidy Białystok. The German side needed the full five matches to secure the opening-leg win in the ETTU Champions League Men Round of 16. The evening began with a dramatic five-game battle between CHOJNOWSKI and JORGIC. The Polish player struck first, taking the opener and later the decider despite JORGIC holding a 4–2 lead in the final game. “It was a narrow victory, but nothing is decided yet, it’s only 1–0 for us. They played really well. CHOJNOWSKI started the first match against me very strongly. I had a 4–2 lead in the fifth game. When you play up to six, the pressure is huge and every point matters. In the end, I played to passively, he played well, and he deserved to win that match,” said Darko JORGIC. Patrick FRANZISKA quickly restored balance for Saarbrücken with a straight-games win over CHODORSKI, before Yuto MURAMATSU produced a flawless performance at position three, overpowering MICHALSKI to give the German side a 2–1 advantage. “In the second match, Patrick played excellently. He brought stability back to the team, and I don’t think CHODORSKI had many chances. Then YUTO played fantastic in the third position. After a slower start, he was really strong afterwards and gave us the lead,” added JORGIC. The drama returned in the fourth match. FRANZISKA looked firmly in control at 2–0 and 9–4, but CHOJNOWSKI launched a remarkable comeback, winning three consecutive games to level the tie at 2–2. “Patrick started very well again, leading 2–0 and 9–4. That’s when CHOJNOWSKI became extremely aggressive and didn’t miss anymore. When you lose a game like that, it’s normal to tighten up a bit. He kept playing well, and although Patrick fought to the end, unfortunately he couldn’t finish it,” JORGIC reflected. With everything on the line, the deciding match produced a fitting finale. JORGIC came out firing, dominated the first game, dropped a tight second, and then rediscovered his trademark precision and aggression to secure the victory for Saarbrücken. “At 2–2 everything was possible. I started the first set really well, and the second too, but I lost it at the end. In the third and fourth, I was the real Darko again — aggressive from start to finish. That brought Saarbrücken back into the match and gave us a 1–0 lead after the first leg.” The tie now moves to Germany on 19 December, with Saarbrücken holding a narrow advantage but fully aware of the task ahead. “The second leg is on December 19th. Nothing is over. We start from zero again. The crowd was fantastic, cheering so loudly. I really have nothing more to say except that I’m happy we won the first match and that we look positively toward the second one,” concluded JORGIC. Dojlidy Białystok – 1. FC Saarbrücken TT 2–3 Borussia Düsseldorf Take Commanding 3–0 Win in Priego The most decorated club in the competition’s history—with six Champions League titles and six European Cup of Champions trophies—and the No. 2 seeds in this season’s ETTU Champions League Men, Borussia Düsseldorf opened their Round of 16 campaign in dominant fashion. Last year’s runners-up produced a solid 3–0 victory over No. 17 seeds Real Club Cajasur Priego TM in the first leg. The evening began with a spirited effort from Hampus SÖDERLUND, who surprised Anton KALLBERG by taking the opening game. But the Swedish international quickly settled, raising his tempo and winning three consecutive games to secure Düsseldorf’s first point. In the second match, Dang QIU imposed his rhythm from the outset, controlling the rallies with precision and speed to defeat Diogo CHEN in straight games and extend the German side’s lead to 2–0. Carlos MACHADO tried to ignite a home comeback, but Kanak JHA proved too sharp, delivering another clean 3–0 performance to seal the tie for Düsseldorf. “Great performance by our team, losing only one set after a very long trip to Priego. It’s a very good result and it opens the door a little wider for the Champions League quarter-finals,” said Borussia Düsseldorf Manager Andreas PREUSS. Real Club Cajasur Priego TM – Borussia Düsseldorf 0–3 GV Hennebont Claim Important Away Win Against ASC Grünwettersbach No. 7 seeds GV Hennebont TT began their campaign with an impressive 3–1 victory over No. 13 seeds ASC Grünwettersbach in Germany. The match opened with a strong start for the hosts. Hiroto SHINOZUKA produced a high-quality performance to defeat French star Simon GAUZY in four games, giving Grünwettersbach an early 1–0 lead. Hennebont responded immediately. Vladimir SIDORENKO fought through two tight games to overcome Tiago APOLONIA 3–1, levelling the score and swinging the momentum back to the French side. The visitors then moved in front thanks to a commanding display from Lev KATSMAN, who dominated Tobias HIPPLER in straight games to put Hennebont ahead 2–1. SHINOZUKA returned to the table for the decisive fourth match but could not repeat his opening success. SIDORENKO completed a superb evening by winning another tight four-game battle, securing the victory for GV Hennebont. “We are very happy to play such a good match here in Germany. The conditions in the hall were not easy at all, very noisy, strong supporters, and a very strong team in front of us. In Germany it is always like this: great matches and great atmosphere from the crowd. At the beginning of the match we said to each other that we would fight until the very end, no matter what. And it worked. We are happy with the result, and I am personally very happy,” said SIDORENKO. ASC Grünwettersbach – GV Hennebont TT 1–3

One of the most anticipated ties of the ETTU Champions League Men Round of 16 opening leg will take place on 16 November (18:30), as French champions Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier visit SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt. Montpellier arrive with exceptional firepower, led by European Team Champions and Olympic Team bronze medallists Félix and Alexis LEBRUN, currently ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in Europe. Their presence elevates the tie’s prestige, marking Montpellier as one of the strongest contenders in the competition. They are supported by a solid squad featuring Esteban DORR (ER 88), Grégoire JEAN (ER 503), and Manav THAKAR (WR 45). “The players are in very good shape, and they always want to competeboth in the League and in the Champions League. The atmosphere in our team is excellent. We are currently together preparing for our league match against Rouen, which is a very good test before entering the Champions League. The mood is positive, the players feel good, and everything is running smoothly,” said coach Vincent AVRIL. Seeded No. 5, Wiener Neustadt reached the quarterfinals last season and now field a refreshed line-up with Andrei ISTRATE (ER 56), Peter HRIBAR (ER 129), Navid SHAMS (WR 157), Shunsuke OKANO (WR 451), and Piotr CYRNEK (ER 366). “Champions League, however, is our biggest objective this year. We are fully prepared for this challenge. The Austrian team is dangerous, with very good players, and we respect them. We haven’t prepared the match in detail yet because we have an important league game tonight, but tomorrow we will analyse, adjust, and define our tactics and strategy. We will be ready.” Reflecting on the team’s domestic performance, coach AVRIL added: “In the French league we are performing quite well: two wins and two losses so far. Alex and Félix have played only two matches, which makes this balance even more promising. Our main goal is to reach the play-offs, and we are on the right path. It’s a good start to the season.” On their European ambitions, he was equally clear: “Our ambition is simple: to reach the Final Four and go as far as possible. With Alex, Félix, and the rest of the team, our aim is to win and to be in Saarbrücken. We are certainly better prepared now than during the group stage because we have the complete team available. We will play with our full team in the final stage, and now we are ready to face the Austrian club. Tonight’s league match is important, but our main focus remains the Champions League. We took every necessary step to arrive fully ready for this encounter, and we are motivated to give everything.”

Belgium’s TTC Sokah Hoboken delivered first upset in the opening leg of the ETTU Champions League Men Round of 16, defeating last season’s Final Four contenders KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów with a 3–0 victory at home. The Belgian side, seeded 19th this season, have already exceeded expectations by advancing from Stage 1, where they overcame Austria’s SPG Felbemayr Wels, Czechia’s SKST Havířov, and Croatia’s STK Starr. Their momentum carried into the knockout round, where they stunned the No. 6 seeds from Poland. On paper, the visitors were considered strong favourites, but on the table, after a fierce fight the night belonged to Hoboken. The 3-0 win The opening match set the tone as Rémi BETELU delivered a strong performance to defeat KOZUL 3–1, sealing the fourth game with 11–1. Benjamin BROSSIER then edged out AIDA in a dramatic full five-game battle, surviving a tight 11–13 fourth game before completing the job in the decider by death point. With the Polish side under pressure, Quentin ROBINOT completed the upset. After losing the first two games to ZALEWSKI, the Frenchman mounted a remarkable comeback, saving key points to take the third game 14–12 and maintaining control through the fourth and fifth to secure the victory for Hoboken. Hoboken Manager Marc GIJS: “Totally unexpected to win 3:0 against last year’s Final Four semi-finalist! A very good match with high quality from both sides. We’re looking forward to continuing this journey!” TTC Sokah Hoboken – KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów 3–0

The Czech capital hosted a high-profile open leg Round of 16 clash in the ETTU Champions League Men as El Niňo Praha welcomed Polish KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki. Despite the passionate home support and a spirited effort from the Prague side, the No. 3 seeds displayed their full strength and recorded 3–0 victory. Bogoria arrived in Prague with an all-star, internationally seasoned line-up featuring Miłosz REDZIMSKI, Marek BADOWSKI, and legendary Greek defender Panagiotis GIONIS a trio that made the visitors clear favourites on paper. El Niňo Praha, fielding Yevhen PRYSHCHEPA, Tomáš KONEČNÝ, and David REITŠPIES, were determined to challenge the odds but ultimately could not halt the Polish powerhouse. El Niňo gained early hope as REITŠPIES took the opening game with confident shot-making. But BADOWSKI quickly reset, tightening his rhythm and taking control of the match with three straight games to put Bogoria ahead. The rising Polish star REDZIMSKI proved unstoppable. His speed, accuracy, and aggressive timing gave PRYSHCHEPA little room to breathe, securing a dominant straight-games win and doubling the visitors’ lead. Against one of the sport’s most iconic defenders, KONEČNÝ worked patiently to break through GIONIS’ impenetrable wall of chops and counters. The Greek veteran, however, controlled every phase of play and sealed the tie for Bogoria. “We played against them last year and we knew this is a very good team. Although we won both matches last season, it was never easy. We were prepared for a difficult encounter and ready to stay fully focused. It is not easy to play in their venue, it’s a small hall, but the crowd is very enthusiastic. We had to perform at the top of our game, and I think we gave 100 percent. Now we wait for the return leg; we are not completely out of danger, only half of job is done. We have to stayed alert” said GIONIS. SF SKK El Niňo Praha – KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki 0–3

The 2025/26 season of the ETTU Champions League Men is about to begin, and the title defence by 1. FC Saarbrücken TT promises to be another spectacular campaign. In their opening Round of 16 match, the German powerhouse will face Dojlidy Białystok in Poland on 14 November 2025. “I think it’s hard to talk about the shape of the players right now because there have been so many tournaments recently. I played the quarterfinals in Montpellier, and Patrick FRANZISKA is always consistent when it matters most. Patrick played last week in Frankfurt, while FAN is not with us at the moment as he’s competing at the Chinese Championships. I believe we’re in solid form and, of course, we’ll give our best. We know what the Champions League means, and we can’t wait to play the first match,” explained Darko JORGIC. The German club returns as the top seed after lifting the trophy for the past three seasons. Now, 1. FC Saarbrücken TT come back even stronger—with a line-up that reads like a who’s who of global table tennis. The team has added one of the sport’s biggest names: FAN Zhendong, the reigning Olympic and World Champion, holder of three Olympic and nine World Championship gold medals. The line-up also features Sweden’s charismatic Truls MOREGÅRD, Europe’s No. 1 Darko JORGIC of Slovenia (world No. 4), and Germany’s own Patrick FRANZISKA (Europe No. 5). Romanian prodigy Eduard IONESCU and Japanese defender Yuto MURAMATSU round out what is arguably the strongest roster in European club competition. “The atmosphere in the team is great—it’s fun, but also very professional, exactly how I’ve always wanted it to be. We can’t wait for FAN to return, honestly. He’s a true professional, always ready both for training and for keeping the good spirit in the team. I hope he’ll stay with us next season as well, but we’ll see how things develop. He shows every day why he’s such a fantastic player and an Olympic champion. Of course, he needs some time to adapt, because everything here is different from China—tables, balls, style of play. It’s difficult for him, just as it is for all of us when we go to Asia, but we know he’s a true champion, and we can’t wait for him to join us again after the Asian Championships.” Speaking about the Round of 16 encounter, JORGIC added: “Against Dojlidy Białystok, it might be tricky because they have nothing to lose. They will surely give their all. I haven’t played with Konstantinos ANGELAKIS for maybe six years, and I haven’t faced the other players before. We are the favourites in this match, but anything can happen. The first leg is away, and we must show good play from start to finish. There will be some pressure, but I believe we can succeed and gain the advantage for the home match. We know it will be tough since they’re the hosts, which gives them an edge, but I hope for a good performance and form from all of us, to give our best and achieve the goal.” JORGIC also commented on the team’s current position in the TTBL Bundesliga: “We are all ready and well-prepared for the start. At the moment, we’re second in the Bundesliga, with the same number of points as the teams in third, fourth, and fifth place, and there’s still a lot to play for. We had two setbacks at the beginning of the season, but everyone knows how tough the Bundesliga is. I hope we’ll manage to reach the play-offs.”

No. 2 seeds in the ETTU Champions League Men, last year’s runners-up Borussia Düsseldorf, remain the most decorated club in the competition’s history with six Champions League titles and six European Cup of Champions trophies. Their campaign starts this week as they face No. 17 seeds Real Club Cajasur Priego TM in the knockout stage. Coach Danny HEISTER emphasised the importance of the upcoming match. “We will of course take the game very seriously, especially since we don’t even know who Priego will be playing. They have a lot of players on their list. We will play with the full team and try to achieve a good result. It is, of course, very exhausting for us right now with five games in ten days in the Bundesliga, the Cup… But the Champions League is very important to us, and we will give everything as always,” said HEISTER. Borussia Düsseldorf’s line-up includes Dang QIU, ranked number seven in Europe; Anton KÄLLBERG, ranked tenth; Kanak JHA currently world number 29; Yongyin LI and Borgar HAUG ranked 23rd in Europe. Their opponents, Real Club Cajasur Priego TM, earned their place in the knockout stage after a stunning performance in Novi Sad. The Andalusian club, seeded seventeenth, achieved one of the biggest surprises of the stage. Led by Hampus SÖDERLUND, Carlos MACHADO and Alejandro CALVO, Priego shocked the group favourites AS Pontoise Cergy TT of France, a team featuring Europe’s number 19 Liam PITCHFORD, Alexandre CASSIN and Flavio MOURIER. The Spanish team did it all without their top player Robert GARDOS.