UMMC eliminates reigning champion to reach TTCLM final

March 21, 2019
10:50 pm
Champions League Men

Second semi-final leg of 2018/19 TTCLM: Borussia Dusseldorf – TTSC UMMC 3:2 (1st leg 1:3)

Russian club TTSC UMMC secured its place in the 2018/19 TTCLM finals in spite of facing 0-2 deficit after second encounter of the return semi-final leg against reigning TTCLM champion Borussia Dusseldorf. The finalist was decided after second set of the fourth match when it was clear that German team couldn’t match the score of the first leg (3:1 10:6 for UMMC). Tonight March 21st in the sold-out ARAG CenterCourt Borussia won 3:2 but Verkhnaya Pyshma’s side goes toward second TTCLM finals in its history after 2011/12.

Two left-handers met in the opener as Kristian KARLSSON beat Jonathan GROTH in four games. The score was tied after first two games but Swede was much better player in the other two sets.

The second match provided many breath-taking moments thanks to Timo BOLL and FAN Bo who showed extraordinary skills in several amazing rallies. Chinese player was two games behind but he refused to give up. Moreover he saved two match points in the fourth set. But seven-times individual European champion responded in the same manner when he faced two consecutive match points of FANG in the fifth set. Thanks to his brilliant serve BOLL survived and won clash.

Match went to the point when Omar ASSAR and Andrej GACINA were required to determine the destiny of this semi-finals. Guest won after four games keeping his side alive and living Borussia in the need to win fourth match in straight games.

KARLSSON started well against FANG but everything was decided when guest won second set. In the rest of the match fans in the ARAG CenterCourt could see some entertaining moments between KARLSSON and FANG as well as Anton KALLBERG and Jonathan GROTH.

TTCLM semi-finals leg 2

Borussia Dusseldorf – UMMC 3:2 (1^stleg 1:3)

Kristian KARLSSON – Jonathan GROTH 3:1 (11:5 7:11 11:5 11:5)

Timo BOLL – FANG Bo 3:2 (11:6 11:6 5:11 12:14 13:11)

Omar ASSAR – Andrej GACINA 1:3 (12:14 11:8 4:11 8:11)

Kristian KARLSSON – FANG Bo 2:3 (11:7 6:11 3:11 11:5 8:11)

Anton KALLBERG – Jonathan GROTH 3:2 (11:9 6:11 7:11 14:12 11:9)

Future cooperation in focus as Pedro MOURA meets Korean TTA President Taesung LEE

During the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals, ETTU President Pedro MOURA met with KTTA President Taesung LEE to discuss the growing cooperation between the European Table Tennis Union...

Sweden men power into quarterfinals while women fall to China

Sweden experienced mixed emotions on Wednesday at the ITTF World Team Championships Finals in London, as the men’s team advanced confidently to the quarterfinals while the women’s campaign came to...

Romania survive Egyptian challenge to reach quarterfinals in London

Romania secured their place in the quarterfinals of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London after overcoming Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic and closely contested Round of...

Germany set up quarterfinal rematch with Japan at World Team Championships

Germany’s men booked their place in the quarterfinals of the ITTF World Championships Finals in London after a convincing 3-0 victory over Hong Kong, setting up another showdown with Japan...