Borussia Düsseldorf Enter the Title Race with a Victory

December 13, 2024
7:42 pm
Champions League Men

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

Shocks and Strong Starts: Drama Unfolds in Girls’ Team Events

In the Under 19 Girls’ Team Event, top seeds France faced no difficulties. In the opening round of the tournament, the reigning champions overcame Slovakia in straight matches. Nia GUO...

MANTZ Begins Coaching Journey with Belgium at the 2025 European Youth Championships

The 2017 European Under 21 champion and member of Germany’s gold-winning team at the 2021 European Championships, Chantal MANTZ, has taken on a new role at the 2025 European Youth...

2025 EYC: No Favorites Are Safe in Ostrava

Already on the opening day of the 2025 European Youth Championships in Ostrava, fierce battles and surprising upsets marked the Team Events. In the Under 19 Junior Event, Czechia, backed...

The 67th EYC in Ostrava Commences: KODET Aiming for Third Consecutive Gold on Home Soil

The 67th European Youth Championships officially began today in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The competition opened with the team events, and fans can follow all the action on ETTU TV and...