Champions League Men | 6 Apr 2017
Top seed Orenburg cruises into TTCLM final
Photo: Courtesy Fakel Gazproma Orenburg
Returning semi-final match: Fakel Gazprom Orenburg – Saarbrucken 3:0 (1st leg 3:1)
Top seed and triple TTCLM winner Fakel Gazprom Orenburg booked its place in the 2016/17 final, as they beat again 2012 FC Saarbrucken 3:0 (1st leg 3:1). It will be the sixth final for Russian club in the last seven seasons, while German side played its first semi-final after 2011/12 season.
In the opening clash, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV took revenge on Tiago APOLONIA for the defeat in the first clash in Saarbrucken. German star won in straight games, like Portugal`s player did four weeks ago.
Spectators fully enjoyed in the second encounter between triple individual European champion, Vladimir SAMSONOV and two times ECH runner-up, Patrick BAUM. Host won first two sets, but German refused to give up, leveling the score 2:2. In the third set, guest came from 5:8 to 11:8, while he concluded fourth game by five points in a row (6:6, 6:11). Decisive set was the fastest one, as SAMSONOV took nine consecutive points.
Saarbrucken`s Patrick FRANZISKA wasn’t able to play against Orenburg`s Jun MIZUTANI, thus third match wasn’t played.
TTCLM semi-final, returning leg
TTC Fakel Gazprom Orenburg – FC Saarbrucken 3:0 (1st leg 3:1)
Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Tiago APOLONIA 3:0 (11:5, 11:5, 11:8)
Vladimir SAMSONOV – Patrick BAUM 3:2 (11:9, 11:5, 9:11, 8:11, 11:3)
Jun MIZUTANI – Patrick FRANZISKA 3:0 (w.o.)
