Other Events | 1 May 2014

Germany already in WTC quarters

At Men’s Event at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championship China, Korea Republic, Germany and Japan will be free in the Round of 16, since they concluded the first stage at the top of their respective Groups. Greece will meet Austria and the

At Men’s Event at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championship China, Korea Republic, Germany and Japan will be free in the Round of 16, since they concluded the first stage at the top of their respective Groups. Greece will meet Austria and the winner will play against China in the quarters. Taipei will play against Croatia and the winner will meet Korea Republic. In the lower half of the draw Germany will wait for the winner of the duel between Singapore and Sweden, whilst Japan will meet the better from the match Poland vs. Portugal.

First time at the tournament, today Germany did not conclude the match with straight 3:0 victory. They were stretched to full distance against Ukraine, but they certainly could afford that luxury.  Steffan MENGEL was in the team with Patrick FRANZISKA and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV at position no. three. FRANZISKA only preserved unbeaten status, whilst OVTCHAROV and MENGEL suffered defeats by the hands of Oleksandr DIDUKH and KOU Lei. Hong Kong beat Denmark and Singapore overcame Croatia.

Germany is first in the Group B followed by Singapore and Croatia. Hong Kong is well above their ratings on position no. 4 with Ukraine and Denmark at the bottom of the Group. In Group A, emperors from China, are untouched with five 3:0 wins. Austria justified their rankings and confirmed second position, whilst Poland made a progress and concluded the Group stage at place no. 3. They pushed down Russia and Brazil. Serbia is at the bottom of the standings. Austria cleared their path to no. two position with straight matches victory over Poland today. China beat Serbia and Brazil overcame Russia. Japan survived opening day’s shock defeat against Greece to conclude the group stages phase on top spot. They were challenged once again, today against Hungary, but prevailed.

After five matches thriller Japan gave more then 4000 enthusiastic fans in the hall reason to celebrate as a gratitude for the great support they received. Portugal is second, but they also returned from the edge. Hunor SZOCS and Alexandru CAZACU beat both Diogo CARVALHO and Andre SILVAS, before Joao MONTEIRO put Portugal on more recognizable path. Greece beat France and took over their position. France is fourth followed by Romania and Hungary.

Korea Republic and Taipei are leading nations in Group D. Sweden justified their position, whilst Korea DPR exceeded the rankings and finished fourth. Belarus and Spain are fifth and sixth.