Europe Top-16 Cup | 9 Feb 2020

Timo BOLL equaled Jan Ove WALDNER’s record with the seventh title

2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup, Montreux, February 8-9

 

 

Germany’s Timo BOLL is the champion of the 2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup. In Montreux he equaled the record that Jan Ove WALDNER set – he won his seventh title at the tournament. In the final BOLL overcame Darko JORGIC of Slovenia 4:1 (8:11, 12:10, 11:5, 11:7, 11:9).

 

At the beginning JORGIC was in the control, whilst BOLL was trying to adjust to his game. German player was seeking for the weak spots in his adversary games. BOLL lost the opening game, but in the next he was all ahead. JORGIC came back, put him under pressure, but last two points was with BOLL’s delicate signature. In the same pace, Timo continued to dominate.

 

“It took time to adjust the speed and the length. I needed the time to find the rhythm for his service game. Darko is very strong adversary. He is not playing very risky, but his shots are very powerful. It was very close game and I could not make the mistake on easy points, “ said BOLL.

In previous rounds BOLL overcame Robert GARDOS of Austria, Liam PITCHFORD of England and Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden.

 

“I played very good and they all were at top of their game. They could easily win the tournament. The level of the quality in the top is equal. All the matches were different. I am very happy that I still could play against players with different styles equally good,’ said BOLL.

 

Speaking about the record Timo stayed modest.

 

“For me Jan is one of the greatest players of all time. I am successful in Europe, but he was bigger globally.”

 

Asked to underline the special victory Boll said it was the first title on 2002 in Rotterdam.

 

“I beat SAMSONOV then and it was great and surprising win. It is something special as every first one.”

 

Robert GARDOS of Austria beat Tomislav PUCAR of Croatia in seven games thriller to win the bronze and the place at the World Cup (9:11, 11:9, 11:9, 2:11, 8:11, 11:4, 11:9).

 

“It is a nice feeling to have supporters by my side here. It has been a hard match and they pushed me; the atmosphere here is inspiring. PUCAR is the future of table tennis, he was worthy adversary and I am happy we showed good performance,” said GARDOS.

 

5-8 position

Mattias FALCK Sweden

Liam PITCHFORD England

WANG Yang Slovakia

Marcos FREITAS Portugal

9-16 Position

Emmanuel LEBESSON France

Simon GAUZY France

Jonathan GROTH Denmark

Lionel WEBER Switzerland

Vladimir SAMSONOV Belarus

Daniel HABESOHN Austria

Dimitrij OVTCHAROV Germany

Kristian KARLSSON Sweden