Champions League Men | 27 Aug 2015

DEMELBAUER: Our goal becomes more realistic

Walter Wels tries to stay with both legs on the ground after sensational victory against reigning TTCLM champion Fakel Gazproma Orenburg

 

The opening round of the 2015/16 TTCLM was marked by sensational away victory of Walter Wels against defending champion Fakel Gazproma Orenburg. In the last five years, since Russian giant entered this prestigious competition, it was beaten in the group stage on its soil just once so far, by Pontoise AS Cergy, a year ago. Vladimir SAMSONOV, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, Alexey SMIRNOV and Fedor KUZMIN have reached all five possible finals, becoming three times champions of Old Continent. Thus, it is not hard to conclude that the 2013/14 Austrian champion achieved remarkable accomplishment.

 “I am still overwhelmed about the happenings in Orenburg. Now our goal, reaching the quarter finals of TTCLM, has become a little bit more realistic. Furthermore, I'd like to thank Fakel Gazprom Orenburg with Victor ANDREEV and his team for showing excellent hospitality during our stay”, stressed Walter Wels` President Gerard DEMELBAUER.

Serbian Zsolt PETÖ announced a big sensation when he overcame world`s no. 5 and actual individual European champion Dimitrij OVTCHAROV:

“The match in Orenburg gave me confidence about the upcoming Czech and Austrian Open. In the past months I practiced a lot which has played well. Also I have to thank my team mate Yuya (OSHIMA) who only recently played and won against OVTCHAROV and gave me some important hints.

Walter Wels` newcomer, Japanese Yuya OSHIMA has took a recipe from the recent 2015 China Open, when he eliminated the best ranked European player in the Round of 32. Now he went one step forth, beating both greats, Dima OVTCHAROV and Vladimir SAMSONOV.

“I am very happy having made a contribution to the successful start of my team into the new TTCLM season and will give my best to continue this way”, stated OSHIMA.

Coach Edi VECKO is aware that tough challenges are still ahead of his side:

“Having secured this important point against Orenburg is incredible! Not only every single player gave its best, also the atmosphere within our young (excluding me) team is excellent which made an essential contribution to our victory”.