Germany seeded no. two at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships to be staged in Japan from Monday 28th April to Monday 5th May once again is the main favorite for the medal rostrum. Keeping the European hopes high German squad already arrived in Jap
Germany seeded no. two at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships to be staged in Japan from Monday 28th April to Monday 5th May once again is the main favorite for the medal rostrum. Keeping the European hopes high German squad already arrived in Japan with high aspirations.
At the press conference DTTB Sports Director Dirk SCHIMMELPFENNIG talked about the German expectations: “We want to fight for medals at the World Championships. With the men’s team the medal should be as bright as possible. Our goal is a place on the podium. The women are ranked at position 6. The group is difficult but manageable. The aim is to progress from the group stage and proceed to the quarter finals if it is possible. The World Championships is the highlight of the season this year. They are halfway between London and Rio Olympics. For us Tokyo is at halftime also an important feedback two years before the Olympics.”
German women’s coach Jie SCHÖPP talked about the shape of her team: “I have a better feeling now than immediately after the German Open in terms of the shape of my players. They too have more self-confidence now. At the World Team Ranking we are at position 6. We want to confirm our position in the preliminary rounds. I think that we even have a chance against Hong Kong on a good day for us. We want to play well in the group and perhaps reach the quarter finals.”
European champion WU Jiaduo stressed that German team plays well at World Championships: “In 2012 we were in the quarter finals and have only just lost to Singapore in a very close match. In 2010 we became 3rd in Moscow. In team events we always fight for each other no matter who is on the team. One for all all for one. Therefore I have a very positive feeling for Tokyo.”
Jörg ROSSKOPF was asked about a possible final match against China: “I do not think so much about it. China will definitely be in the final. We have to get there and that is a long way with many critical situations. First we need to do our “homework” and play well before we can start thinking about a final against China.”
Jörg ROSSKOPF also talked whether the prospects have improved against China since the 2012 World Championships: “I believe that the opportunities have not changed since Dortmund two years ago. You always have to believe that you will be able to beat the Chinese in a game like this. Every series breaks some time. China will not win the World Championships the next 30 years some time a different national anthem will be played.”
Dimitrij OVTCHAROV showed confidence before the start of the Championships: ”In recent weeks it went very well for me. That gave me confidence for Tokyo. As so often the mental condition is the decisive point. It is important that I start well the tournament and then hopefully reach 100 percent in the final.”
Timo BOLL cancelled the German Open at the end of March due to injury: “I’ve been back to practice for more than two weeks now. On both weekends I’ve played in good shape at the Bundesleague play-offs. I feel fit. There are still a few percent up to go. All in all I am satisfied with my current performance keeping in mind that I had a 2-week table tennis break.”
MEN: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (club: Fakel Orenburg World Ranking: 4 National team matches: 69) Timo BOLL (Borussia Düsseldorf World Ranking: 9 National team matches: 123) Patrick BAUM (Borussia Düsseldorf World Ranking: 21 National team matches: 40) Patrick FRANZISKA (TTC Fulda-Maberzell World Ranking: 37 National team matches: 14) Steffen MENGEL (TTC Frickenhausen World Ranking: 49 National team matches: 8)
WOMEN: WU Jiaduo (club: Metz TT World Ranking: 32 National team matches: 79) Petrissa SOLJA ( Linz AG Froschberg World Ranking: 40 National team matches: 7) Irene IVANCAN (ttc berlin eastside World Ranking: 46 National team matches: 17) Kristin SILBEREISEN (ttc berlin eastside World Ranking: 51 National team matches: 74) Sabine WINTER (SV DJK Kolbermoor World Ranking: 79 National team matches: 19)
Coaches: Dirk SCHIMMELPFENNIG (Sports Director) Jörg ROSSKOPF (Men’s head coach) ZHU Xiaoyong (Assistent to Men’s head coach) Jie SCHÖPP (women’s head coach) By S. Hinz
picture attached by DTTB (Benedikt Probst)
