Champions League Men | 29 May 2015

Orenburg clinched its 3rd TTCLM title

After 3:1 away defeat, Russian champion managed to beat Borussia 3:0 at home

Fakel Gazproma Orenburg is the 2014/15 Men’s European Champions League! After 3:1 away defeat three weeks ago, Russian champion managed to beat Borussia 3:0 in today’s rematch.

This is for sure one of the most amazing comebacks in the final MECL clashes so far. One more big fact is that Orenburg did it against ten times European champion and most decorated European clubs ever.

Host coach Valery SALABAEV decided to play for all or nothing, posting Vladimir SAMSONOV on the first spot in the Orenburg`s line-up. It was the clear sign that the Russians will hunt 3:0 victory, instead to calculate with set-ratio in case of 3:1.

Vladimir SAMSONOV, who improved his individual record on 11 titles, prevailed against Patrick FRANZISKA in the opener. Young German took the first game, but great Byelorussian responded by three in a row. One of crucial moments appeared in the third set, when host managed to take several consecutive points after 5:3 lead of guest.

Two best ranked European player met in the second encounter as actual individual champion of Old Continent overcame six times gold medalist of ECH: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Timo BOLL 3:0. Host did an impressive turn in the late first set (6:9, 11:9) while in the other two controlled the game all the time. This victory brought a big lead for Orenburg, but also provided the best individual score for OVTCHAROV (14-2, BOLL 15-3).

Finally, Alexey SMIRNOV confirmed why he is considered as the best team’s no. 3 player of MECL in last couple of years. Former EURO Top 12 winner defeated Panagiotis GIONIS in five games. Greek did everything he could to extend the match and give a new chance to Timo BOLL, but after exciting fourth set (SMIRNOV saved four set balls) he easily lost the ultimate one.

This is the 3rd MECL crown for Orenburg who was the champion in 2012 and 2013. In its very first final (2011) they was beaten by Borussia who continues as the most decorated European club ever (64 titles in total: 4 out of it MECL, 6 Cup of Champions).





Men`s ECL final, 2nd leg

Fakel Gazproma Orenburg – Borussia Dusseldorf 3:0



Vladimir SAMSONOV – Patrick FRANZISKA 3:1 (7:11, 11:5, 11:3, 11:6)

Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Timo BOLL 3:0 (12:10, 11:9, 11:7)

Alexey SMIRNOV – Panagiotis GIONIS 3:2 (9:11, 11:7, 11:6, 10:12, 11:6)



Men`s ECL final, 1st leg (May 10th)

Borussia Dusseldorf – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg 3:1

Timo BOLL – Vladimir SAMSONOV 3:0 (11:3, 11:7, 14:12)

Patrick FRANZISKA – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 1:3 (2:11, 11:6, 8:11, 7:11)

Panagiotis GIONIS – Alexey SMIRNOV 3:1 (11:3, 11:5, 8:11, 11:4)

Timo BOLL – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 3:2 (7:11, 11:7, 8:11, 11:7, 12:10)