Felbermayr Wels successfully defended the Austrian Men’s Bundesliga title after an extraordinary final thriller in Wiener Neustadt, overturning a 0-2 deficit against regular season winners Panaceo Stockerau to secure the championship by the narrowest possible margin.
After the match ended level at 3-3, the title was decided on sets and points ratio. With both teams tied at 13-13 in sets, Wels clinched the crown thanks to a superior points difference of 232-229.
“The tension and the quality of the matches — this was a great advertisement for table tennis. We are especially happy to take revenge on Stockerau after losing the Cup final,” said Wels coach David HUBER.
The decisive moment came at 22:33 when Zhao ZHAOYAN defeated Mykhailo LOVHA 3-1 in the final match of the evening, securing the crucial equalizer at 3-3 and delivering the fifth Austrian title for Wels.
Earlier in the final, Panaceo Stockerau looked firmly in control. Youssef ABDELAZIZ saved three match points against Zhao ZHAOYAN before winning the decider 6-5, while LOVHA defeated Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK to give Stockerau a 2-0 advantage.
As in the semi-final against Wiener Neustadt, Felix WETZEL became the turning point for Wels. The German player first fought back from 1-2 down to defeat Khalid ASSAR in the decider 6-2, recording his first-ever victory over the Egyptian star. WETZEL then teamed up with KOLODZIEJCZYK to win the doubles match against ASSAR and ABDELAZIZ 3-1 and level the overall score.
ABDELAZIZ restored Stockerau’s lead with a 3-1 win over KOLODZIEJCZYK, but Zhao ZHAOYAN, who joined Wels only in January, sealed the title in the closing match.
Austrian legend and former World Champion Werner SCHLAGER presented the trophy to the defending champions.
The final also marked the farewell of two key Stockerau players. Mykhailo LOVHA will move to Havirov, while Youssef ABDELAZIZ is set to continue his career in France. Coach David SERDAROGLU will return to the Austrian Cup winners.
Austrian Men’s Bundesliga Final
Felbermayr Wels – Panaceo Stockerau 3-3 (13-13 games, 232-229 points)
- Zhao ZHAOYAN – Youssef ABDELAZIZ 2-3
- Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK – Mykhailo LOVHA 1-3
- Felix WETZEL – Khalid ASSAR 3-2
- WETZEL / KOLODZIEJCZYK – ASSAR / ABDELAZIZ 3-1
- Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK – Youssef ABDELAZIZ 1-3
- Zhao ZHAOYAN – Mykhailo LOVHA 3-1
