Managers expectations for the 2017/18 TTCLM – ANDREEV: “All players of our team are in good form and ready to compete for the new title” PREUSS: “Our goal is to reach the final again and to fight for the title”
Top two seeds and 2016/17 TTCLM finalists champion Fakel Gazprom Orenburg (actual no. 1 seed) and runner-up Borussia Dusseldorf (no. 2) are planning to meet again in the final showdown next spring. Speaking about expectations for the Round 1 two managers emphasize that their clubs have the highest possible aims.
“Many teams have very strong players – the leading players of the world and Europe. The path to victory will be very difficult. We need the highest skill many forces both psychological and physical. All players of our team are in good form and ready to compete for the new TTCLM title. We wish everyone good luck in the new season of the European Champions League” stated Orenburg`s manager Victor ANDREEV whose side will host K.S. Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki in the Group A Round 1 game (Sep 28 15:00 CET).
Borussia commences new season against Hennebont (Group D) playing on its soil (Sep 29 18:30 CET). Manager Andreas PREUSS speaks:
“We had a fantastic year in 2016/17 when we played the TTCL-final against Orenburg. We have great players and a special team spirit and so it´s our goal is to reach the final again and to fight for the title. But first of all we have to play group stage with the strong teams Dzialdowo and Hennebont. The first match on Friday in our hall ARAG CenterCourt will be already a very important one.”
Coach of German team Danny HEISTER confirmed that his side faces Hennebont in a good shape:
“We already started in German Bundesliga and had European Championships a few days ago. So we are happy to start now in the new TTCL season too. Our players are in a good shape and so I hope that we will open this TTCL-year with a victory against Hennebont. The French team with Chen Pitchford and Robinot is tough and we have to play on a high level to beat it.”
In other Group D clash Danish side Roskilde travels do Poland to play against TTCLM newcomer K.S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo. Team manager-player of Roskilde Allan BENTSEN is happy that his club will play again in this prestigious competition:
“Roskilde Bordtennis BTK61 looks forward to play in the Champions League once more. It will even this year be a hard one but we hope that our players can play some good matches and show some good table tennis. We specially look forward to present all the good players in Roskilde. Our team is ready to fight for some win in the group matches. ZHAI looks really good so hope he can continue his good performance from last year”.
