Reigning champions and winners of the last three titles, 1. FC Saarbrücken TT secured their place in the quarterfinals of the ETTU Champions League Men. After a narrow victory in the opening leg, the German side struck in full force at home, overcoming Poland’s Dojlidy Białystok in the second leg.
Olympic and World Champion FAN Zhendong gave 1. FC Saarbrücken TT a perfect start, dominating the encounter from the opening point. The Chinese star controlled the rallies with power and precision, allowing Piotr CHODORSKI very few opportunities to enter the match.
“Today was my first time playing in the Champions League, so I was naturally quite excited and really looking forward to it. Now I’m simply happy that we’ve reached the next round together as a team, and I’m looking forward to some exciting quarterfinal matches,” said FAN.
Darko JORGIC further strengthened Saarbrücken’s lead with a solid and controlled performance against Patryk CHOJNOWSKI. The Slovenian dictated the tempo throughout the match to secure another clear 3–0 victory for the German side.
“We knew it could be very difficult. We won the opening leg by a very small margin, so we had to stay alert and focused from the very beginning. FAN opened the tie in a very good way. It was his first match in the Champions League, and he didn’t allow CHODORSKI to breathe.
I’m happy that I was able to avenge my defeat against Patryk CHOJNOWSKI from the opening leg. I was in the match from the first point. I knew exactly what to play — his weak points and the best angles. It was a great match.
In the end, it was not an easy task for Patrick. We know the Japanese player very well; five years ago he was part of our second team. Still, he finished the match quickly.
Now, whoever comes in the quarterfinals, we are not afraid. Our ambitions are always the same,” said Darko JORGIC.
In the final match of the tie, Patrick FRANZISKA faced stronger resistance from Kakeru SONE, but remained composed in the decisive moments to close the contest in straight games.
“We are very happy to go through here at our home venue, where we have so many good memories,” said FRANZISKA. “The first match was very close and ended 3–2, so we were warned. However, today we showed our ambitions. We are very happy and delighted with this victory.”
In the quarterfinals, 1. FC Saarbrücken TT will meet the winner of the duel between ASC Grünwettersbach and GV Hennebont TT.
1. FC Saarbrücken TT (GER) – Dojlidy Białystok (POL) 3–0
- Zhendong FAN– Piotr CHODORSKI 3–0 (11–1, 11–5, 11–5)
- Darko JORGIC– Patryk CHOJNOWSKI 3–0 (11–3, 11–5, 11–4)
- Patrick FRANZISKA– Kakeru SONE 3–0 (11–9, 11–8, 11–7)
Dojlidy Białystok – 1. FC Saarbrücken TT 2–3
- Patryk CHOJNOWSKI – Darko JORGIC 3–2 (11–7, 5–11, 11–6, 5–11, 6–4)
- Piotr CHODORSKI – Patrick FRANZISKA 0–3 (7–11, 7–11, 8–11)
- Piotr MICHALSKI – Yuto MURAMATSU 0–3 (6–11, 5–11, 5–11)
- Patryk CHOJNOWSKI – Patrick FRANZISKA 3–2 (5–11, 4–11, 13–11, 11–9, 6–3)
- Piotr CHODORSKI – Darko JORGIC 1–3 (5–11, 11–9, 5–11, 7–11)
Mühlhausen Clinch Quarterfinals with Gritty Away Victory
Germany’s Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. progressed to the quarterfinals after a thrilling and closely contested encounter against Czechia’s HB Ostrov z.s. Despite a brave effort from Vladislav URSU, who recorded two impressive victories against Ovidiu IONESCU and Marcos FREITAS, the German side emerged victorious in the Round of 16.
URSU opened the tie with a hard-fought five-game victory over IONESCU. After a tight exchange in the opening games, the Moldovan international showed great composure in the deciding set, taking early control and securing an important opening point for HB Ostrov z.s.
Marcos FREITAS quickly brought Post SV Mühlhausen back level with a dominant performance against Pavel SIRUCEK. The Portuguese international dictated the rallies leaving his adversary with few chances to challenge.
Steffen MENGEL then gave the German side the lead after a composed straight-games victory over Jiri VRABLIK. Although the Czech player stayed close in the second game, MENGEL remained solid in the decisive moments to secure the win.
URSU once again delivered for the hosts, defeating FREITAS in straight games. Playing with confidence and authority, he dictated the pace throughout the match to level the tie at 2–2 and force a decisive encounter.
In the final match, Ovidiu IONESCU demonstrated his class and experience to clinch the tie for Post SV Mühlhausen. After dropping the third game, the Romanian regrouped quickly and closed the match in four games, sealing a 3–2 away victory for the German club.
“We knew it was going to be a tough match. Nothing was decided after the 3–1 victory at home, so we stayed focused and gave our best today. We are very happy to have managed to qualify for the quarterfinals.
My first match against SIRUCEK was very good. I played tactically very well, and that’s why I won in straight games. In the second match we were already qualified, and my focus was not at the same level. URSU was definitely better in that match.
Still, it was important that Ovidiu came in and won the deciding match to secure the overall victory. Now we are looking forward to the quarterfinals and the clash against Borussia Düsseldorf,” said Marcos FREITAS.
In the quarterfinals, Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. will face Borussia Düsseldorf in the battle for a place at the Final Four.
HB Ostrov z.s. – Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. 2-3
- Vladislav URSU– Ovidiu IONESCU 3–2 (12–10, 5–11, 11–13, 11–8, 6–2)
- Pavel SIRUCEK– Marcos FREITAS 0–3 (3–11, 7–11, 7–11)
- Jiri VRABLIK– Steffen MENGEL 0–3 (7–11, 9–11, 6–11)
- Vladislav URSU– Marcos FREITAS 3–0 (11–7, 11–8, 11–7)
- Martin KOBLIZEK– Ovidiu IONESCU 1–3 (7–11, 7–11, 11–9, 7–11)
Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. – HB Ostrov z.s. 3–1
- Marcos FREITAS – Pavel ŠIRUČEK 3–0 (11–7, 11–9, 11–5)
- Steffen MENGEL – Vladislav URSU 3–1 (11–7, 11–8, 6–11, 11–5)
- Ovidiu IONESCU – Jiří VRÁBLÍK 1–3 (10–12, 11–7, 7–11, 8–11)
- Marcos FREITAS – Vladislav URSU 3–0 (14–12, 11–8, 13–11)
