Champions League Men | 13 Mar 2015
Borussia opens the gap in France
German champion did a good job in France playing 1st semi-final leg of 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League: Chartres ASTT – Borussia Dusseldorf 1:3. Both sides played without their Asian members, GAO Ning (Chartres) and Sharat Kamal ACHANTA (Borussia)
German champion did a good job in France playing 1st semi-final leg of 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League: Chartres ASTT – Borussia Dusseldorf 1:3. Both sides played without their Asian members, GAO Ning (Chartres) and Sharat Kamal ACHANTA (Borussia) who are on the Asian Cup, but it was bigger setback for the host side, knowing that Singaporean is their crucial player. Returning game will be held on April 4th.
Although GAO was not present, Chartres performed good. In every game they were close to the win, but guests showed their strength in crucial moments. Especially Timo BOLL who took two points, against Damien ELOI and Robert GARDOS.
The youngest player in the game, Patrick FRANZISKA, brought the first lead to Borussia. The 22 year old German, actual world`s no 60, defeated no. 18 Robert GARDOS in five games. Guest did two decisive steps in the early fourth set (6:0 lead) and in the middle of the fifth one, when he got three consecutive points (6:5, 9:5). German secured decent that advantage by few good serves.
The 46 year old Damien ELOI recalled the audience on his best days, but it wasn`t enough to beat Timo BOLL who won after five sets. In the fifth one they were leveled until 6:6, but German then took three in a row. Fans enjoyed all the time, especially in the late second set when the opponents showed astonishing skills.
World`s no. 43 Par GERELL took the first point for his club, beating no. 19 Panagiotis GIONIS in straight games. Greek missed good chance in the opening set, having two set balls. From that moment Swede dominated.
Finally, BOLL overcame GARDOS in five games to secure the big advantage for his side. The most interesting moment, maybe crucial one, was seen on 8:8 in the fifth set, when both had one lucky bounce, but the last one belonged to German who improved his seson`s individual record on 11-2.
2014/15 MECL semi-final leg 1
Chartres ASTT – Borussia Dusseldorf 1:3
Robert GARDOS – Patrick FRANZISKA 2:3 (11:8, 12:14, 12:10, 3:11, 9:11)
Damien ELOI – Timo BOLL 2:3 (5:11, 12:10, 11:9, 2:11, 9:11)
Par GERELL – Panagiotis GIONIS 3:0 (13:11, 11:4, 11:9)
Robert GARDOS – Timo BOLL 2:3 (11:6, 5:11, 11:6, 3:11, 8:11)
