Champions League Men | 14 May 2015
Borussia targets two titles in five days
After two turbulent seasons, Borussia shows its full strength. The most decorated European club ever, after beating Orenburg 3:1 last Sunday in the 1st MECL final leg, have a good chance to reach two titles in five days. They will play in the Bundesliga`s
After two turbulent seasons, Borussia shows its full strength. The most decorated European club ever, after beating Orenburg 3:1 last Sunday in the 1st MECL final leg, have a good chance to reach two titles in five days. They will play in the Bundesliga`s final, against Fulda, on May 24th, while the ultimate MECL clash will be held five days later in Russian city Orenburg.
“it’s the result of my dreams”!, stressed Borussia`s manager Andreas PREUSS, speaking about the match against Russian champion, in front of 1.100 fans in ARAG CenterCourt. “We were a little lucky, but this match had everything: World class-Table Tennis, absolutely outstanding rallies – one team had to win in the end and I am exuberantly happy that it was us. We did a great step in the right direction – a big Thank you to our fantastic spectators!”
Greek Panagiotis GIONIS, who added one point on Timo BOLL`s two to secure the victory, said about it: “We knew that the third match would be the most important. SMIRNOV is the weakest of the Orenburg team, he had to be beaten and then of course we need to depend on Timo (BOLL) to make two points. I was very focused in my match – I could have won 3:0 maybe, but okay. This was a big first step now, but it will be very difficult in the 2nd leg. We need to be on guard and stay focused.”
Coach Danny HEISTER praised all his player: “Of course I hoped for a 3:0 (winks), but `Franz´ (FRANZISKA) had to adjust to the abnormal high level of Dima (OVTCHAROV). The plan was of course that Panos (GIONIS) had to win against SMIRNOV, but that has to work out to begin with – so I am very satisfied that he made the point. Timo played extraordinarily well in his 50:50 match against Dima, I just tried to stay calm on my chair and show him confidence. I am very glad he won. Those are the matches, we work for during the whole season. This was a good first step, now we have to stay grounded. We have the final of the German League in front of us at first and after that we fly to Orenburg.”
The returning MECL final game will be held on May 29th (13h20 CET) in Orenburg.
German champion has a chance to reach the third triple crown in its history, bearing in mind that it already took German Cup five months ago.
