Borussia Düsseldorf kicked off their 2024/25 Champions League campaign with a win in the opening leg of the Round of 16, defeating SKST Havirov tonight. The second leg is scheduled for Friday, December 20, at 7 PM in the ARAG CenterCourt.
Following their Bundesliga victory against Bergneustadt, last year’s Champions League runners-up set off for Frankfurt, traveling to Havirov yesterday. However, the team arrived in the Czech Republic with a reduced squad. Coach Danny HEISTER had to manage without Dang QIU, who is on a planned break, and Timo BOLL, who reported sick yesterday and stayed home.
Last season, Norwegian Borgar HAUG impressed with two Champions League appearances and two wins, but tonight it was Roman POLANSKY who gave the hosts a dream start. SKST Havirov began with strong momentum, but Anton KALLBERG turned the match around. KALLBERG defeated Jan VALENTA and later Tomas POLANSKY, while Kay STUMPER secured a crucial victory over Adam STALZER.
Coach Danny HEISTER reflected on the victory:
“It was a big match. Borgar didn’t do a bad job in the first two sets. He was leading 8:2 in the first game but lost. It was difficult for him because he was sick a week before the match, but he had to play. Timo BOLL was also sick and couldn’t arrive. It wasn’t easy, and I am really happy with the win.
After the break, we did a great job. I think it is deserved that we won 3:1. There was a really good atmosphere—the arena here is beautiful, and the people are nice. I also know the manager very well, and they treated us really well.
There are a lot of great teams in the Champions League. We will take it match by match and see how we manage the next one.”
SKST Havirov advanced to the knockout stage after finishing second in their group, behind Polish club UKS Dojlidy Białystok.
Round of 16: SKST Havirov – Borussia Düsseldorf 1-3
- Tomas POLANSKY – Borgar HAUG 3-0 (12-10, 11-9, 11-1)
- Jan VALENTA – Anton KALLBERG 1-3 (11-9, 10-12, 7-11, 8-11)
- Adam STALZER – Kay STUMPER 0-3 (6-11, 8-11, 8-11)
- Tomas POLANSKY – Anton KALLBERG 0-3 (6-11, 6-11, 8-11)
FOTO: J. ODSTRCILIK
