Borussia Düsseldorf overcame 1. FC Saarbrücken TT in the opening leg of the Champions League Men in away match in Joachim Deckarm Halle. In full five matches thriller the hero of the duel was QIU Dang who overcame both Darko JORGIC and Patrick FRANZISKA.
Dang won two titles at the German Championships last weekend and he stayed in same rhythm tonight. With safe 3:0 win over JORGIC World’s no. 9 gave dream start to guests and he justified his rankings by beating FRANZISKA in the decisive match.
Both FRANZISKA and JORGIC accounted for Anton KÄLLBERG but Cedric NUYTINCK could not find the game for Kay STUMPER. The guests went home with great advantage before the Monday’s second leg in Düsseldorf’s ARAG CenterCourt.
“In was very intense match. Luckily we had a better end. It could have gone both ways. Both teams gave their best. It is always very difficult to play against Saarbrücken. They have amazing players and I am happy we managed to get through. Now we are tired but we will be ready for the second match on Monday ” said QIU.
Coach Danny HEISTER commented: “We are happy to win and to do it in front of so many spectators and Borussia’s fans. Four matches went in three games but the last one was my time classic with 19:21 at the end. We saw strong performance from Dang and Kay but Anton did not have his day today. Nothing is over yet. We have to justified this on Monday.”
It was not easy for Darko to talk after the match.
“ It was great atmosphere. So many people came tonight and that meant a lot to us. It helped us to come back each time when we were down but at the end Düsseldorf was better. We pushed the match into the decider and that was the best we could do tonight. Dang played superbly. He opened the duel in big style and avenged his defeat in Top 16 Cup. Patrick leveled and won 3:0 despite he was down in each game. Cedric failed to find the right rhythm. Kay did not make easy mistakes. Anton was under great pressure. I am happy I managed to come back and to beat him after I suffered 0:3 in the opening match. In the last match Dang had 2:0 and 4:0. Patrick managed to come back but not for long. Dang was very strong tonight. However this is not the end. We are at the halfway and there is still a chance to clinch the first ever trophy in Champions League ” said Darko JORGIC.
Timo BOLL was unavailable tonight due to persistent shoulder problems which recently led to the cancellation of the WTT Smash tournament in Singapore.
This is the third year in the row that Borussia Düsseldorf meet 1. FC Saarbrücken TT in the final and in two previous occasion Borussia Düsseldorf won.
FC Saarbrücken TT – Borussia Düsseldorf 2:3
Darko JORGIC – QIU Dang 0:3 (7:11 5:11 8:11)
Patrick FRANZISKA – Anton KÄLLBERG 3:0 (11:8 12:10 11:7)
Cedric NUYTINCK – Kay STUMPER 0:3 (7:11 4:11 9:11)
Darko JORGIC – Anton KÄLLBERG 3:0 (11:7 11:8 13:11)
Patrick FRANZISKA – QIU Dang 1:3 (10:12 1:11 11:5 19:21)
