CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux February 2-3. Reigning champion Timo BOLL: “Everybody who participate can win the tournament the level is close together of the European top players”.
Rotterdam 2002 Saarbrucken 2003 Copenhagen 2006 Dusseldorf 2009 Dusseldorf 2010 Montreux 2018! These six Europe Top 16 (12) tournaments have been successful for Timo BOLL who targets Jan-Ove WALDNER’s record (seven titles) at the 2019 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup this weekend (February 2-3) at the Swiss city of Montreux.
Previous year was very successful for seven times European champion whose gold in Montreux was just one of his medals in 2018. We spoke with him about it but starting from his first winning campaign 17 years ago…
What do you remember the most from your 2002 winning tournament in Rotterdam?
“To be honest it’s a really long time ago and I don’t have any memories. I’m a person who lives in the moment.”
What 2018 Montreux title means to you bearing in mind that you set 16-year-long winning span?
“I was really happy. I don’t have any expectations to me in this age. To be still able to play on this high level and win titles is a very nice feeling and I really enjoy these moments.”
Are you satisfied with your current shape?
“I had physically some tough weeks behind me. The break during Christmas was important for me. I think I recovered myself and hope to stay healthy over the new year.”
How do you see the list of 2019 favorites and your chances to get new Europe Top 16 crown?
“Everybody who participate can win the tournament. The level is close together of the European top players.
What is the crucial for the success in this format of competition?
“Knock-out is always dangerous. I hope to find a good playing rhythm already the weeks before the Euro Top 16 to be sharp from the first ball.”
What were the moments to remember in 2018 regarding your career and sport in general?
“Many good moments like becoming no.1 in the world ranking Champions League title German Club and Singles Champion European Champion World Cup finalist Euro Top 16 winner. It was just a great year. Although I had some serious injuries which makes me always nervous if I can handle them and be able to come back. This is becoming the biggest challenge.
Your personal goals in 2019?
“Try to be physically fitter than last year to avoid big injuries.”
In men’s singles will play: Timo BOLL (Germany) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) Mattias FALCK (Sweden) Liam PITCHFORD (England) Vladimir SAMSONOV (Belarus) Jonathan GROTH (Denmark) Simon GAUZY (France) Kristian KARLSSON (Sweden) Marcos FREITAS (Portugal) Emmanuel LEBESSON (France) Daniel HABESOHN (Austria) Tiago APOLONIA (Portugal) KOU Lei (Ukraine) Ovidiu IONESCU (Romania) Panagiotis GIONIS (Greece) Lionel WEBER (Switzerland).
Women’s Event: Sofia POLCANOVA (Austria) Bernadette SZOCS (Romania) Elizabeta SAMARA (Romania) LI Jie (Netherlands) Petrissa SOLJA (Germany) Matilda EKHOLM (Sweden) LI Qian (Poland) Georgina POTA (Hungary) Britt EERLAND (Netherlands) Polina MIKHAILOVA (Russia) NI Xia Lian (Luxembourg) Nina MITTELHAM (Germany) Natalia PARTYKA (Poland) Hana MATELOVA (Czech Republic) Barbora BALAZOVA (Slovakia) Rachel MORET (Switzerland).
CCB Europe Top 16 Cup is going to be covered (replay or delay) by Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2. Table Tennis fans can enjoy watching their favourite sport on TV within two days February 3rd (Eurosport 2 18:45 – 20:10 delay) and February 4th (Eurosport 2 – 13:00 – 14:00 reply Eurosport 1 – 16:45 – 17:30 reply).
CCB Europe Top 16 Cup will be shown in total of 54 countries. They are following: Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Kazakhstan Kosovo Kirghizstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Morocco Moldova Monaco Montenegro Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia San Marino Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey UK Ukraine Vatican.
