Champions League Men | 9 Oct 2018

TTCLM Round 2: KARLSSON`s emotional return to Pontoise

Round 2 to be held from Wednesday to Friday (October 10-12th) as two-time TTCLM winner welcomes 11-time champion Borussia Dusseldorf

 

Two years ago, when Kristian KARLSSON played his last season for AS Pontoise Cergy, that French club beat Borussia Dusseldorf on its way to the TTCLM crown. This time, Swedish player will stand on the opposite side, playing 2018/19 TTCLM Round 2 in Pontoise this Wednesday, October 10th.

 

„I played several years for Pontoise and I had a very successful time. And know my friend Mattias FALCK is playing for the club. So it´s a special game for me and I am glad to play for Borussia. This club is my second home with my Swedish hometown. I am motivated to help my club to win in France and to bring us in a good position in our group”, explained Kristian KARLSSON who recently won two bronze medals at the 2018 ITTF-European Championships in Alicante, and four medals in total playing beside FALCK in doubles events.

 

Both Group A favourites won their opening matches in straight. Borussia beat Sporting 3:0 at home, while Pontoise overcame TTC Ostrava 2016. Coach of German club Danny HEISTER stated:

“We had a perfect start in this TTCL season. On Wednesday this group stage´s top game Pontoise against Düsseldorf will take place. If we will win this match it will be a big step to reach the quarter finals although it´s just the second match. In the past we played often against Pontoise and we know how difficult it is to play there. So we are focused on this game.”

 

Pontoise`s Coach Christian ADAM is looking forward playing against such big opponent:

“It's always a great pleasure for us to play this type of match and very interesting that our two clubs, winners both of the TTCLM, find themselves again. We know the difficulty ahead of us to receive the reigning European Champion, but with our young team, renewed this season to 50%, we think we can disrupt this formidable team.”

 

Sporting will host TTC Ostrava 2016 in other Group A clash, as both sides will fight for their first win in this season.

 

GROUP B will also see clash between two strong sides after their 3:0 wins in the Round 1: actual ETTU Cup winner K.S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo vs. 2012 TTCLM runner-up TTSC UMMC. Stella Sport La Romagne and SPG Walter Wels will play their game in France, determined to avoid second consecutive defeat.

 

“We have not played with the Polish team before, but I know that two Chinese players play for the team DEKORGLASS DZIALDOWO. We will play without FANG Bo, so the struggle will be serious. I repeat it time and again, that there is no weak rivals in the European Champions League. Our first match almost every member of UMMC team played with some micro traumas. I am sure that there were enough time for their recuperation”, stated Tatiana KUTERGINA, Coach of the UMMC TTSC.

 

After 3:0 loss in Saarbrucken, Vaillante Sports Angers awaits Roskilde Bordtennis in Group C. Coach David PILARD explains:

“It's very important match for us and after 0:3 against Saarbrucken we hope only the victory. If you lose two times in group stage it will be very difficult, but we are first in the French league after two days so it's very good for the confidence and we play at home! The club and spectators are very excited to see a famous star of table tennis, Michael MAZE so it will be a nice match for sure”.

 

Other Group C game, between Dartom Bogoria and Saarbrucken, will leave just one club undefeated in this group, as both sides won their first encounters in straight games.

 

TTCLM newcomer Post SV Mühlhausen hosts 2016 runner-up Eslovs, aiming its very first win in this competition. Regarding other Group D clash, Fakel Gazprom`s Coach Vladimir ENDOLOV believes that four-time champion will secure its second victory, playing Group D game in Hennebont.

 

“The English player Liam PITCHFORD is the leader in G. V. Hennebont. Nevertheless, other players are ready to support him. Despite the defeat in the first match, the French club remains one of the contenders for the playoffs. Our team prepares hard for this match. We believe in our sportsmen and come to France to win. Although we understand that the upcoming match will not be easy”.

 

TTCLM Round 2

 

GROUP A

AS Pontoise Cergy - Borussia Düsseldorf (Oct 10 19:30 CET)

Sporting Clube De Portugal - TTC Ostrava 2016 (Oct 11 19:00 CET)

 

GROUP B

K.S. Dekorglass Dzialdowo - TTSC UMMC (Oct 12 18:00 CET)

Stella Sport La Romagne - SPG Walter Wels (Oct 12 19:30 CET)

 

GROUP C

Vaillante Sports Angers TT - Roskilde Bordtennis BTK61 (Oct 11 19:30 CET)

K.S. Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki - FC Saarbrücken Tischtennis (Oct 12 18:30 CET)

 

GROUP D

G.V. Hennebont T.T. - TTC Fakel Gazprom (Oct 12 20:00 CET)

Post SV Mühlhausen - Eslovs Ai Bordtennis (Oct 19 19:00 CET)