Champions League Men | 4 Jun 2015

Orenburg`s time in the TTCLM

“I am proud of our magnificent team and always believed in its success! These tremendous victories – a worthy gift to Russia and to our native Gazprom”, stressed Orenburg`s vice-president Victor ANDREEV, speaking about their third title in the TTCLM

Fakel Gazproma Orenburg started their table tennis life in the opening year of the third millennium, but these 14 years was enough to establish itself as one of the best European clubs. Actually, Russian club is just one of three who managed to reach TTCHL three times since its foundation (October 20th, 2001). Belgian Charleroi did it four times since that (2001/2002, 2002/2003, 2003/2004, 2006/2007), Borussia took three (2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2010/2011) as well as Orenburg (2011/2012, 2012/2013,2014/2015).

Although Russian side is proven champion, its vice-president Victor ANDREEV emphasized that the recent third TTCHL title, reached after exciting finals against Borussia, has a special place in the club`s history. Ten times European champion had 3:1 advantage from the Dusseldorf`s first final leg, but they were beaten 3:0 on the Russian soil.
“The May 29, 2015 is a historical date for Russia”! stressed Victor ANDREEV. “TTC Fakel - Gazprom for the third time won a title of the strongest club of Europe! It was the great victory over great club Borussia Düsseldorf. This match became the real decoration of the 2014/2015 Champions League! Our players made the real sports feat! We prepared very seriously for this match, all players were adjusted on a victory”.

ANDREEV explained why coach Valery SALABAEV in the final rematch put Vladimir SAMSONOV to play as team`s no. 1 instead of Dimitrij OVTCHAROV: “It was necessary to risk with the line-up of our players, but we hoped for success. Lineup of our team was successful. SAMSONOV, OVTCHAROV and SMIRNOV played simply perfectly. The match turned out fantastic! Our players were in an excellent form thanks to Fakel - Gazprom's magnificent victory on May 24 in Yekaterinburg in the final of the Russian Championship over one of the strongest clubs of Europe – UMMC!”

Coach SALABAEV added:“Sometimes in two-legged opposition defeat in the first game is a good incentive before the second meeting. The line-up chosen for the score 3:0 and each player was determined to win in his game. Strong support of the Orenburg fans helped us to cope with this difficult task”.

Orenburg was founded on 20th October 2001. Since 2003 the title sponsor of the club is Gazprom who provided an excellent conditions for club`s development. In its very first season in Russian Super League (2004/2005) he managed to become a champion. Table Tennis Center of Russia has been opened in 2013.

After 14 years, Orenburg has 15 titles in total. They won Russian Super League seven times (2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015), Russian Cup three times (2006, 2009, 2012), as well as TTCLM (2012, 2013, 2015),reaching two more competition once, ETTU Cup (2010) and European Super Cup (2012). The recent final against Borussia was Fakel Gazproma`s sixth in a row in both ETTU competitions, since they won ETTU Cup in 2010.

After all Victor ANDREEV wanted to say one more thing:“I am proud of our magnificent team and always believed in its success! These tremendous victories – a worthy gift to Russia and to our native Gazprom”!