“GAUZY and CALDERANO are two players I do not really like to play against. I really have to fight against both even if I am very fit” stated Borussia`s player. Second legs to be held this Friday April 6th
Borussia Dusseldorf and TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen will meet in another Table Tennis Champions League Men classic after many great clashes in the past. This time they are going to fight in the second leg of the 2017/18 TTCLM this Friday (April 6th 19:00) in Dusseldorf after 3:2 win of Ochsenhausen in the first game held three weeks ago.
Host side is determined to repeat last year`s score (Borussia lost 3:2 in the first quarter-final leg but won 3:1 at home) while Ochsenhausen promises big fight aiming its first TTCLM final after 2009 (Borussia won the title).
Borussia`s Manager Andreas PREUSS puts pressure on the opposite side giving them role of favorite:
“Of course it would be much better to have a victory on the back. Ochsenhausen is the favourite because of the first leg. I think our chance to progress at 30 percent. On the other side we already turned much different results. Everybody in the team knows his job and we are able to win this game as high as we have to. Especially in front of our own fans it is not easy to win against us. The ARAG CenterCourt will be on fire on Friday.”
Coach Danny HEISTER believes that Timo BOLL is ready to collect two points in spite of having 1-1 score in the first leg (lost to Simon GAUZY and was extended to full distance by CALDERANO):
“We already said that we saved Kristian (KARLSSON) on last Thursday in TTBL. He practiced the whole week and worked with our physiotherapist on his injury too. He is as fit as the others. Of course a lot depends on Timo (BOLL). If he is fit enough to get two points we would have good chances. But we also have to be prepared in case he´s losing one of these matches as in Ochsenhausen. If this happens the others have to be on top top level.”
Timo BOLL is aware what he must do in order to provide his team`s place in the TTCLM final:
“GAUZY and CALDERANO are two players I do not really like to play against. I really have to fight against both even if I am very fit. I hope I will get two points on Friday so we move into the final.”
Ochsenhausen`s Sport Manager Daniel ZWICKL looks forward to two important games in the last three days of this week (other match is Bundesliga`s semi-final against Fulda-Maberzell April 8th).
“We’re just happy to have the opportunity to play two semi-finals in spite of having hard week with injured and sick players. It`s obvious that we`re facing two interesting and exciting games.The others might feel pressure but we just look forward to it. There is a positive mood in the team and attitude of all five players is great. “
Ochsenhausen`s President Kristijan PEJINOVIC stressed that his side enters the second leg “with optimal conditions”:
“What will happen we will see. The guys are in a good mood and want to enjoy the upcoming games. Both teams know each other very well. Last time it was not enough because we lost return leg in Dusseldorf 1:3. This time we`ll see if the team is mature enough to master such a big challenge.”
TTCLM semi-finals second games
Fakel Gazprom Orenburg – Sporting Clube De Portugal (April 6 14:00) 1st leg 3:0
Borussia Dusseldorf – TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen (April 6 19:00) 1st leg 2:3
