Marcos FREITAS of Portugal won the silver medal
Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany defended his title clinched in Schwechat two years earlier. In the final of the 2015 LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships German beat Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS 4:1 (14:12 9:11 11:9 11:4 11:6). With his gold Germany completed the competition as most successful nation. They won four medals: two gold silver and bronze. Romania follows with gold in Singles and silver in Team and Doubles Events. Sweden is at the position no. three with two bronze medals.
The men’s Singles final match commenced with levelled game. It was OVCHAROV who won the opening game but by very narrow margin. Marcos regained the control and won the next one; Dimitrij’s responded instantly to take a lead once again at 2:1. After fourth game the match was heading to only one direction.
“It was wonderful tournament one of the best I ever played. I want to express my gratitude to the organizers to the sponsor and all the volunteers who made this tournament ran smoothly ” said OVTCHAROV.
Dimitrij also thanked his adversary in the final for the fantastic duel they produced.
“FREITAS pushed me to the limits. It took the best of me; The final was epic battle with the fantastic service-return powerful game. I am proud I was the part of it ”added OVTCHAROV.
Prior to the contest on both World Ranking and past result suggested the odds were very clearly in favour of Dimitrij OVTCHAROV.
On the international scene in confrontations that span a decade the German has always emerged the winner.
The first meeting was at the 2005 World Junior Championships in Linz when Dimitrij OVTCHAROV prevailed in the first round Boys’ Singles duel.
Later on the ITTF World Tour he won in the final of the Men’s Singles event at the Brazil Open in Rio de Janeiro before succeeding in the penultimate round clash between Germany and Portugal at the LIEBHERR 2012 World Team Championships in Dortmund.
Notably earlier this year Dimitrij OVTCHAROV emerged successful when they met in the final of the NN 2016 Europe Top 16 tournament in Baku prior to repeating the success at the semi-final stage of the Men’s Singles event at the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Qatar Open.
Earlier today in the semi final OVTCHAROV beat Tiago APOLONIA of Portugal whilst FREITAS overcame Par GERELL of Sweden.
