Borussia Düsseldorf has successfully defended its title as the German Champion. In a high-class and partly dramatic Liebherr TTBL Final the record-holding team of the Tischtennis Bundesliga (TTBL) triumphed over their perennial rivals 1. FC Saarbrücken TT 3:1 once again relegating Saarbrücken to second place. For Düsseldorf this marks their first double of championship and cup titles in three years. The Liebherr TTBL Final was witnessed by 3 000 fans at the Süwag Energie ARENA in Frankfurt.
Just minutes after the match ended Borussia Düsseldorf’s coach Danny HEISTER summed up the atmosphere:
“You never get used to this ” he said referring to his team’s ongoing success.
On Sunday the record champions secured the German Championship for the fourth consecutive time in the Liebherr TTBL Final yet the celebration did not feel routine. The victory was hard-fought: In the perennial giant duel with 1. FC Saarbrücken TT Düsseldorf delivered a match of world-class caliber ultimately triumphing with a 3:1 score and celebrating the 34th championship in the club’s history.
“Our season didn’t go entirely smoothly ” Düsseldorf’s Dang QIU admitted afterward. “But in the past few weeks we performed well again and we’re very happy to have won the title. We can be very proud of that.”
Saarbrücken had won the regular season of the Tischtennis Bundesliga (TTBL) with Düsseldorf finishing in second place significantly behind.
“We were all pretty tense ” explained Timo BOLL “because we know how tough it is against Saarbrücken – and it was a cauldron from the start.”
In January Düsseldorf had already won the Liebherr Cup Final (3:0) thus achieving the double for the first time since 2021. Meanwhile FCS triumphed in the Champions League at Easter (3:2). For the past three years the Liebherr TTBL Final has consistently seen a duel between Düsseldorf and Saarbrücken each time ending in favor of the record champions.
This time the key role was played by QIU. The German national player won the opening singles against Patrick FRANZISKA 3:1 (6:11 11:7 11:4 11:4) and eventually also the day’s final match against Darko JORGIC 3:2 (9:11 11:0 11:8 10:12 11:4).
“The match against Patrick could have ended in a 0:3 loss in just 15 minutes considering how he played the first game ” QIU admitted afterward.
However in the second set QIU improved and also benefited from FRANZISKA’S thigh injury.
“It kept getting worse ” said FRANZISKA. “I really wanted to continue playing and somehow help the team. So I tried to play more backhand. But even without the injury it would have been very very difficult. Dang played fantastically very aggressively and tactically flawless.”
The highlight of the day came in the second match. BOLL and JORGIC delivered a table tennis drama in five acts: JORGIC initially led 2:0 in sets later seemed hopelessly behind 5:10 in the fifth set – and then mounted an almost historic comeback. JORGIC fended off a total of seven match points from BOLL winning 3:2 (11:6 11:9 4:11 9:11 13:15) tying the score at 1:1 and giving FCS new life.
Anton KÄLLBERG won the third match 3:0 (11:8 11:9 11:8) against Cedric MEISSNER.
“Had we lost the match again despite several match points like the Champions League final it would have been very bitter ” BOLL said about his defeat to JORGIC. “This time fortunately it wasn’t a total disaster. Darko played some great shots even under extreme pressure.”
Borussia coach HEISTER remarked on the rich final history of the opponents:
“Between these two teams it can always end 0:3 or 3:0. Every match is almost 50:50 – anything is possible. I am very proud of my team.”
Three thousand spectators followed the Liebherr TTBL Final live at the Süwag Energie ARENA in Frankfurt creating great emotions in the stands and making the event a significant success for the hosting Tischtennis Bundesliga.
Final
Borussia Düsseldorf – 1. FC Saarbrücken TT 3:1
Dang Qiu – Patrick Franziska 3:1 (6:11 11:7 11:4 11:4)
Timo Boll – Darko Jorgic 2:3 (6:11 9:11 11:4 11:8 13:15)
Anton Källberg – Cedric Meissner 3:0 (11:8 11:9 11:8)
Dang Qiu – Darko Jorgic 3:2 (9:11 11:0 11:8 10:12 11:4)
