Reigning champions 1. FC Saarbrücken TT began their title defence on heated Polish soil with a hard-earned 3–2 victory over Dojlidy Białystok. The German side needed the full five matches to secure the opening-leg win in the ETTU Champions League Men Round of 16.
The evening began with a dramatic five-game battle between CHOJNOWSKI and JORGIC. The Polish player struck first, taking the opener and later the decider despite JORGIC holding a 4–2 lead in the final game.
“It was a narrow victory, but nothing is decided yet, it’s only 1–0 for us. They played really well. CHOJNOWSKI started the first match against me very strongly. I had a 4–2 lead in the fifth game. When you play up to six, the pressure is huge and every point matters. In the end, I played to passively, he played well, and he deserved to win that match,” said Darko JORGIC.
Patrick FRANZISKA quickly restored balance for Saarbrücken with a straight-games win over CHODORSKI, before Yuto MURAMATSU produced a flawless performance at position three, overpowering MICHALSKI to give the German side a 2–1 advantage.
“In the second match, Patrick played excellently. He brought stability back to the team, and I don’t think CHODORSKI had many chances. Then YUTO played fantastic in the third position. After a slower start, he was really strong afterwards and gave us the lead,” added JORGIC.
The drama returned in the fourth match. FRANZISKA looked firmly in control at 2–0 and 9–4, but CHOJNOWSKI launched a remarkable comeback, winning three consecutive games to level the tie at 2–2.
“Patrick started very well again, leading 2–0 and 9–4. That’s when CHOJNOWSKI became extremely aggressive and didn’t miss anymore. When you lose a game like that, it’s normal to tighten up a bit. He kept playing well, and although Patrick fought to the end, unfortunately he couldn’t finish it,” JORGIC reflected.
With everything on the line, the deciding match produced a fitting finale. JORGIC came out firing, dominated the first game, dropped a tight second, and then rediscovered his trademark precision and aggression to secure the victory for Saarbrücken.
“At 2–2 everything was possible. I started the first set really well, and the second too, but I lost it at the end. In the third and fourth, I was the real Darko again — aggressive from start to finish. That brought Saarbrücken back into the match and gave us a 1–0 lead after the first leg.”
The tie now moves to Germany on 19 December, with Saarbrücken holding a narrow advantage but fully aware of the task ahead.
“The second leg is on December 19th. Nothing is over. We start from zero again. The crowd was fantastic, cheering so loudly. I really have nothing more to say except that I’m happy we won the first match and that we look positively toward the second one,” concluded JORGIC.
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)
Borussia Düsseldorf Take Commanding 3–0 Win in Priego
The most decorated club in the competition’s history—with six Champions League titles and six European Cup of Champions trophies—and the No. 2 seeds in this season’s ETTU Champions League Men, Borussia Düsseldorf opened their Round of 16 campaign in dominant fashion. Last year’s runners-up produced a solid 3–0 victory over No. 17 seeds Real Club Cajasur Priego TM in the first leg.
The evening began with a spirited effort from Hampus SÖDERLUND, who surprised Anton KALLBERG by taking the opening game. But the Swedish international quickly settled, raising his tempo and winning three consecutive games to secure Düsseldorf’s first point.
In the second match, Dang QIU imposed his rhythm from the outset, controlling the rallies with precision and speed to defeat Diogo CHEN in straight games and extend the German side’s lead to 2–0.
Carlos MACHADO tried to ignite a home comeback, but Kanak JHA proved too sharp, delivering another clean 3–0 performance to seal the tie for Düsseldorf.
“Great performance by our team, losing only one set after a very long trip to Priego. It’s a very good result and it opens the door a little wider for the Champions League quarter-finals,” said Borussia Düsseldorf Manager Andreas PREUSS.
Real Club Cajasur Priego TM – Borussia Düsseldorf 0–3
- Hampus SÖDERLUND – Anton KALLBERG 1–3 (12–10, 6–11, 6–11, 4–11)
- Diogo CHEN – QIU Dang 0–3 (9–11, 5–11, 5–11)
- Carlos MACHADO – Kanak JHA 0–3 (3–11, 7–11, 4–11)
GV Hennebont Claim Important Away Win Against ASC Grünwettersbach
No. 7 seeds GV Hennebont TT began their campaign with an impressive 3–1 victory over No. 13 seeds ASC Grünwettersbach in Germany.
The match opened with a strong start for the hosts. Hiroto SHINOZUKA produced a high-quality performance to defeat French star Simon GAUZY in four games, giving Grünwettersbach an early 1–0 lead. Hennebont responded immediately. Vladimir SIDORENKO fought through two tight games to overcome Tiago APOLONIA 3–1, levelling the score and swinging the momentum back to the French side. The visitors then moved in front thanks to a commanding display from Lev KATSMAN, who dominated Tobias HIPPLER in straight games to put Hennebont ahead 2–1.
SHINOZUKA returned to the table for the decisive fourth match but could not repeat his opening success. SIDORENKO completed a superb evening by winning another tight four-game battle, securing the victory for GV Hennebont.
“We are very happy to play such a good match here in Germany. The conditions in the hall were not easy at all, very noisy, strong supporters, and a very strong team in front of us. In Germany it is always like this: great matches and great atmosphere from the crowd. At the beginning of the match we said to each other that we would fight until the very end, no matter what. And it worked. We are happy with the result, and I am personally very happy,” said SIDORENKO.
ASC Grünwettersbach – GV Hennebont TT 1–3
- Hiroto SHINOZUKA – Simon GAUZY 3–1 (11–5, 13–15, 12–10, 11–9)
- Tiago APOLONIA – Vladimir SIDORENKO 1–3 (4–11, 13–15, 11–5, 8–11)
- Tobias HIPPLER – Lev KATSMAN 0–3 (5–11, 6–11, 8–11)
- Hiroto SHINOZUKA – Vladimir SIDORENKO 1–3 (7–11, 12–10, 8–11, 12–14)
