European Championships | 27 Jun 2021

Timo BOLL won the eighth title in Men's Singles

For eighth time in his career Timo BOLL is the crowned champion in the Singles Event at the LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships in Warsaw. Record holder won his 27^th medal at the Continental Championships tonight in Poland. In the final he beat his teammate Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. Mattias FALCK of Sweden and Marcos FREITAS of Portugal won bronze medal.

In the final BOLL dominated (11:9, 6:11, 9:11, 8:11, 8:11).

“I was nervous at the beginning of the Championships. When I thought where I was a year ago, it was fantastic to be in position to play again and to fight for medal. In past two days I had 4 very difficult matches and I prevailed. It is good sign before the Olympics; I still have the power to win the medals,” said BOLL.

In the first semi final, the clash between no, one seed Mattias FALCK of Sweden and player no. three at the seedings in the Men's Singles Event, Timo BOLL went on Germans' account (11:13, 10:12, 6:11, 11:9, 11:9, 7:11). In the opening games, Timo BOLL was sharp and deadly precise; he stayed close to the table controlling all the angles. However, in the fourth game FALCK put some extra pressure and unlike the earlier stages of the game, he finally made a break. Next two close games went on his record, before BOLL sealed the match.

“Overall I am happy. From the rankings he is the no. one in the Europe so this is the great win for me after the long break. Physically it was very difficult match, I commenced well but he improved his game and got better and bette. I could not surprise him any more and I was very happy to close the game somehow,” explained BOLL.

On the way to another all-German final Dimitrij OVTCHAROV overcame Portugal's Marcos FREITAS (11:9, 8:11, 9:11, 14:12, 11:8, 11:9).

“It was very close victory today against my club mate from Orenburg. He played very well and he was close to win. He had a many chances in all games, but I played my best table tennis in crucial moments. Maybe my win in our previous encounter gave me slight advantage and for sure he definitely deserved to win to day like I did,” said OVTCHAROV.