Champions League Men | 14 Dec 2023
1. FC Saarbrücken TT e.V. step closer to Final 4
1. FC Saarbrücken TT e.V. is making significant strides toward its first-ever Final Four in the Champions League Men, which will be held in Saarbrücken. In the penultimate match in Group A, they overcame A.S PONTOISE-CERGY TT without any undue alarm. The reigning champions remain unbeaten in three matches so far.
Tonight, against the French team, there was not much suspense.
“We were relieved at the beginning when we saw that the Korean players were not in the lineup. It made our job even easier. However, we did not let our guard down. We took it seriously and began the match on high alert. It gave me a good opening against Flavio MOURIER,” explained Darko JORGIC.
In the group stage, each game and match are crucial, so the team fought hard for every point.
“In the second match, FRANZISKA joined the team despite his seven-day absence due to illness. He is aware of the importance of the matches in the Champions League and did not want to leave anything to chance, so he played. We have the Final 4 here in a few months, and that is a big thing,” said JORGIC.
Marcos FREITAS was the only player to score on the French side.
“We all know who FREITAS is. I was losing to him like anyone else. Our adversaries put him in the third position to maximize their match wins. He won clearly against NUYTINCK. My match against BOULOUSSA did not start well for me. I was losing 1-5, 7-3, but I beat him 12-10 in the opening game, which boosted my self-confidence. In the end, I took complete control of the match,” said JORGIC.
The second match between 1. FC Saarbrücken TT e.V. and A.S PONTOISE-CERGY TT is scheduled for December 21st.
“I expect it will be harder than it was now, especially if their two Koreans return to the team. However, we only need two matches to reach the next stage, and hopefully, we will achieve that.”
Tesla Batteries Havirov is without a win in Group A, having played all four matches.
- FC Saarbrücken TT e.V. - A.S PONTOISE-CERGY TT 3-1
Darko JORGIC - Flavio MOURIER 3-0 (11-2, 11-5, 11-6)
Patrick FRANZISKA – Mehdi BOULOUSSA 3-1 (7-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-7)
Cédric NUYTINCK - Marcos FREITAS 0-3 (11-13, 6-11, 6-11)
Darko JORGIC – Mehdi BOULOUSSA 3-0 (12-10, 13-11, 11-2)
