Timo BOLL withdraws from two European Championships events

Knee problems forced Germany’s star to reduce his engagement in Ekaterinburg

Bad news for Timo BOLL. The European record Champion is suffering from a strong irritation in his left knee. As a precaution he and the DTTB coaches’ team decided to withdraw him from the Team’s and Doubles Events at the LIEBHERR 2015 ITTF European Championships (25 September – 4 October) in Ekaterinburg. Whether Boll play the singles is currently still open.

“Timo’s withdrawal does not change our objective to become European Champion in the Team’s event ” DTTB Sports Director Richard PRAUSE stresses. “His absence is of course weakening us but even without him the team is strong enough”.

Boll is replaced by Ruwen FILUS in the Team’s event. The defender would otherwise have played singles and doubles only. Before the 2013 European Championship the situation was similar. When Boll had caught the flu FILUS was added to the list. Together with Dimitrij OVTCHAROV Patrick BAUM Bastian STEGER and Patrick FRANZISKA he won the team’s title with a final victory over Greece.

DTTB Sports Director Richard Prause on the withdrawal of Timo Boll in the team and doubles events:

“We have a very strong team even without Timo and all are well prepared. Anyway that Germany wins the title will not happen by itself. We saw this fact at the 2014 European Championships. We will see whether we can get around to a revenge match against Portugal. We are very much looking forward to it.”

Men’s Head Coach Jörg ROSSKOPF about Boll’s withdrawal and the possible impact on the team:

“That does not change our objective. We want to win the tournament. We have to accept the new situation and give 100 per cent in every match. The players are in an well shape and there is also a little more time until the tournament starts.”