Champions League Men | 19 Mar 2014

Angers to salvage some pride

This Friday who is the first finalist of 2013/14 Men`s European Champions League will be known , but, taking into account the result of first semi-final match, it`s not hard to predict the winner. In all-French semis Pontoise expect Angers after beat them

This Friday who is the first finalist of 2013/14 Men`s European Champions League will be known , but, taking into account the result of first semi-final match, it`s not hard to predict the winner. In all-French semis Pontoise expect Angers after beat them away 3:0 (9:4), while second finalist will be decided in all-Russian clash Fakel Gazproma Orenburg – UMMC (April 11th, UMMC won 3:2 1st leg). “We lost 3:0 winning just four sets in total, so now we are just expecting to have a nice match in Pontoise”, says Angers` president Gerard SARAZIN.

In the first leg Angers played without its best player Panagiotis GIONIS who reached two medals on 2013 LIEBHERR European Championships in Schwechat. Greek is still not fully recovered. “We would like to have our leader Panagiotis GIONIS but sure he will be not at 100% after his right knee injury”, explains SARAZIN.

The semi-final is the best MECL achievements ever for both sides. In last Pro A league round, Pontoise (occupies 2nd place) beat Istres 4:1, whilst Angers(4th place) lost from defending national champion Chartres in five games. Pontoise recently defeated Angers 4:0 in domestic championship.

“We will try to win one match, to play our best table tennis and hope we`ll be luckier than in Angers. Our season in European Champions League was so good and after the match we could say good luck to Pontoise for the final”, concluded SARAZIN.

First semi-final game (March 7th)
Vaillante Angers – AS Pontoise Cergy 0:3
Jens LUNDQVIST – WANG Jian Jun 2:3 (11:9, 12:10, 8:11, 10:12, 11:13)
Michel MARTINEZ – Marcos FREITAS 2:3 (8:11, 11:8, 11:8, 7:11, 9:11)
Benjamin BROSSIER – Kristian KARLSSON 0:3 (11:13, 8:11, 2:11)