Champions League Men | 4 Apr 2015

Borussia vs. Orenburg top-class MECL final

What a final! Borussia Dusseldorf has joined Fakel Gazproma Orenburg in the 2014/15 Men`s European Champions League final, after new 3:1 victory against Chartres ASTT, the runner-up from 2012/13. The full ARAG CenterCort witnessed new big success of Timo

Without GAO Ning, French champion had no power to beat ten times European champion. Singaporean was not available in the 1st leg too when Borussia secured big advantage for the second match. But, German side knows very well how it looks like when you play without your crucial players, suffering because of several injuries in the last three seasons.

Timo BOLL again played key role in Borussia`s team, defeating both, Robert GARDOS (3:1) and Par GERELL (3:0). Swede managed to level after second match, as he overcame Patrick FRANZISKA in five games. But, when Indian Sharat Kamal ACHANTA (as GAO he missed first leg, because of Asian Cup) beat Damien ELOI, it was clear that the host side is going to its fourth MECL final in the last seven seasons.

Two top seeds, Borussia (no. 2) and Orenburg (no. 1), who eliminated Niederosterreich yesterday, will meet second time in the MECL final. German champion was better in the 2010/11 season, when Russian side debuted in the best club`s competition. All three Orenburg`s players Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, Vladimir SAMSONOV and Alexey SMIRNOV are former Borussia`s members.

MECL semi-final, returning match
Borussia Dusseldorf – Chartres ASTT 3:1 (1st leg 3:1)
Timo BOLL – Robert GARDOS 3:1 (15:13, 11:6, 7:11, 11:6)
Patrick FRANZISKA – Par GERELL 2:3 (7:11, 11:7, 11:9, 8:11, 12:14)
Sharat Kamal ACHANTA – Damien ELOI 3:0 (11:8, 13:11, 11:8)
Timo BOLL – Par GERELL 3:0 (11:5, 11:9, 11:8)

Alex MILETIC, EWT, Alex MILETIC, EWT