Member Associations | 15 Jun 2020

1. FC Saarbrücken TT rewrites the history books

Photo: BeLa Sportfoto

For A first time in the club’s history 1. FC Saarbrücken TT won the LIEBHERR TTBL final. They avenged last year’s defeat against TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen to add well deserved and long awaited trophy to their treasury.

On Sunday Patrick FRANZISKA pawed their way to success after full five games thriller against Hugo CALDERANO and SHANG Kun added two victories to justify his status. For a third time this season 1. FC Saarbrücken TT proved too strong for TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen.

“It is amazing. Finally we reached the crown in Bundesliga. It is third time in the row that we played in the final and we finally have the last missing jewel for our crown. We have the trophy in ETTU Cup, we won the German Cup and two years we were only one step from the title in Bundesliga. It is the great triumph for all of us and it is the great success for players, and complete managing staff,” said coach Slobodan GRUJIC.

As a player in Germany, GRUJIC also held the trophy in the Champions league, but even then he did not have chance to enjoy the joy of winning the national championships. He became the coach in 1. FC Saarbrücken TT seven years ago.

“This project started 10 years ago and this triumph is the proof that we chose the right path. Patrick FRANZISKA is the back bone of our success and SHANG Kun was worthy reinforcement. In addition, our policy to give a chance to young players such as Darko JORGIC and Tomas POLANSKY also paid off. We felt that our time has come and we seized our opportunity.”

The time was not only right - it was perfect.

“The success exploded. It is fantastic. We were live on Eurosport, the report was seen on ARD, ZDF, Sky Sport News HD and Saarländische Rundfunk (SR). It was perfect timing. Table tennis is the first sport in Germany to finish the league in regular way after COVID 19; football and basketball are yet to conclude their championships. From the very beginning we insisted on “normal” finish. We wanted to gain the title in the venue and on the playing table even we were first before the break. We all wanted to play. Our matches were in the focus of all table tennis fans all over the World, judging by the congratulation messages we are receiving today.”

1.FC Saarbrücken TT organized tournament before the play offs.

“It was very good idea. We adjusted to new conditions: health measures and absence of spectators. Players managed to maintain their shape. Naturally we all suffer from lack of tournaments and play, but the conditions were the same for all,” explained Slobodan GRUJIC.