Champions League Men | 9 May 2015

Nuances to decide the MECL final

The game without secrets – it could be said for the upcoming Men`s European Champions League final which first out of two chapters will be held tomorrow in Dusseldorf: Borussia – Orenburg (13h00 CET). The rematch comes on May 29th on the soil of Russian champion.

Thanks to Borussia`s Alex SCHILLING we can share the atmosphere from the host side and see how they comment upcoming fight. Coach Danny HEISTER explained why this week is exceptional one: “Our players all played well at the World Champs – now it is important for them to bring this energy to the table on Sunday. We don’t push it too hard this week, the guys just have to take a short breath.”

Manager Andreas PREUSS stressed that “such a day, such a match needs an extraordinary energy and attitude. I believe that we might experience this on Sunday. Everyone plays for the others in this season like in few times before. There are no harsh words if someone hasn’t had his best day, on the opposite- then one of the others steps into the breach and on the next occasion it’s the other way around again. There’s a lot of harmony and good vibes in the team – there has to be the certain sizzle on Sunday and then everything can happen.”

Timo BOLL and Patrick FRANZISKA, as quarter-finalists on the recent 2015 QOROS World Championships in Suzhou approaching to the first final game with a lot of confidence. Six times individual European champion BOLL knows very well that it will be “fight without secrets”:

“We all know each other very well. I have fought Vladi (SAMSONOV) my whole career, I won often, but also lost quite often. His shape is not as steady recently, sometimes he shows absolute world class table-tennis, but he also does not play up to his level at times. Dima (OVTCHAROV) of course also plays at a top level, I probably even know him a bit better than Vladi by now, because we practice together pretty often. If you know each other so well, it’s more difficult to create moments of surprise, so in the end, it’s only nuances. I am certainly highly motivated to play a Champions League Final against some of the best players there are.”

Young Patrick FRANZISKA, who did a great return after four months break due to injury, has a chance for one more big step in his career: “I do have high self-confidence after playing well in the World Champs. I now try to hold the tension up to the final, but I also know that it’s a different competition. Of course I want to bring my self-confidence into the match.”

Greek Panagiotis GIONIS added: “I feel ready and believe in our team. We did well this season, made two really strong Comebacks already and I believe that we can do it with the support of the home-crowd.”

Men’s European Champions League Final 1 will be broadcast live and free on ETTU TV as well as in the LAOLA1.tv APPs (IOS/Android).

Sunday, 10th May 2015 | 13:00 (CET)
2014/2015  Men’s ECL – Final 1
LIVE: Borussia Düsseldorf – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg


Watch all matches LIVE and FREE as well as full matches on demand and mobile on ETTU TV.