On the final day of the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4 in Saarbrücken, the title will be decided between Borussia Düsseldorf and 1. FC Saarbrücken TT — marking the fourth time these two powerhouses meet in the final of the competition, and the second consecutive time under the Final 4 format.
The first semifinal, between Borussia Düsseldorf and KS Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki, ended in favor of the German giants, who have already claimed six Champions League titles and six Europe Cup of Champions trophies — more than any other club in the competition’s history.
In their quest for a third consecutive title, the host club 1. FC Saarbrücken TT overcame Polish side KS Global Pharma Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów to book their place in Sunday’s final.
KS GLOBAL PHARMA ORLICZ 1924 SUCHEDNIÓW – 1 FC Saarbrücken Tischtennis e.V. 0-3
Jeongwoo PARK – Patrick FRANZISKA 2-3 (2-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-7, 2-6)
From the very first point, 1. FC Saarbrücken Tischtennis e.V. showed they were on a mission. Patrick FRANZISKA left Jeongwoo PARK without an answer to his game, taking the opening game in dominant fashion.
The second game saw a better start from PARK, whose strong service helped him stay in the rally. However, Patrick was in no mood for charity — he withstood the pressure and converted his second game ball to take a 2-0 lead.
In the third game, FRANZISKA faced serious pressure, as PARK unleashed a series of remarkable spins coming at lightning speed. The Korean narrowed the gap after some fantastic exchanges from both sides and, with full momentum, dominated the fourth game to force a decider.
But FRANZISKA came out in full force in the fifth, reclaiming control and sealing the victory to give the defending champions a perfect start.
“I started strong, but from the third game PARK showed why their team made it to the semis. He played so fast I could barely see where the ball was coming from. In the fifth game, I had to raise my level to 110 percent to win. Thanks to the great support from the Saarlandhalle crowd, I made it — they’re the ones who make the difference in such tight situations,” said FRANZISKA.
Mateusz ZALEWSKI – Truls MOREGARD 1-3 (2-11, 11-9, 4-11, 3-11)
Just a week after winning the bronze medal at the ITTF World Championships in Qatar, Truls MOREGARD returned to action — and true to his reputation, he stormed through the opening game.
In the second, it took some time before Mateusz ZALEWSKI found his rhythm. Applying more pressure, he came back from 5-8 down, leveled the score, and eventually took the game to nullify Truls’ early advantage.
MOREGARD responded fiercely. The Swede dominated the next two games to seal the match with a confident victory.
“It was a bit difficult to adjust in such a short time after the World Championships — the matches here are shorter and the table is different — but with the fantastic support I get here, it’s fine.
It’s a different feeling compared to last season when I played in the semis for TTC Neu-Ulm. Now, I really feel like I’m at home here,” said Truls, who famously beat both FRANZISKA and JORGIĆ last year, although his team lost the semifinal.
Deni KOZUL – Darko JORCIC 2-3 (11-5, 11-9, 8-11, 6-11, 4-6)
KOZUL had the better start in the all-Slovenian clash between two national teammates. He dominated the opening game, and although JORGIC managed to apply a bit more pressure in the second, he continued to struggle. KOZUL didn’t allow him to take control — after a few early exchanges of advantage, Deni held his ground and leveled at 8-8 and 9-9 before closing out the game to go 2-0 up.
But the momentum shifted in the third. Darko JORGIC regrouped and won the game to stay in the match. He then forced a decider with a thrilling finish in the fourth that had spectators on the edge of their seats.
In a nerve-wracking fifth game, JORGIC held his composure and launched the defending champions into yet another Champions League final.
“We are very good friends and have known each other for 15 years. I started the match very passively, while he was very aggressive. Then I told myself, ‘If you want to win, you have to attack’ — and I did,” said JORGIC.
KS DARTOM BOGORIA Grodzisk Mazowiecki – Borussia Düsseldorf 1-3
Milosz REDZIMSKI – Dang QIU 0-3 (11-13, 5-11, 11-13)
QIU started with fierce intensity, but REDZIMSKI kept pace. In the opening game, Dang gained the early advantage, yet Milosz held on, leveling the score at 7-7 and later at 10-10. He saved two game points and even had one of his own, but QIU capitalized on his third opportunity to secure the game.
The second game went clearly in QIU’s favor, but the third turned into another tight battle. REDZIMSKI led 7-6 and pushed the game into yet another close finish. He had a game point to stay in the match but couldn’t convert. On the other side, QIU seized his first opportunity to seal the win.
“Milosz started really strong and he forced to give my best,” said QIU.
Marek BADOWSKI – Anton KALLBERG 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 12-10)
The clash between Marek BADOWSKI and Anton KÄLLBERG was a much closer affair, with Marek taking control early to win the opening game. Despite a stronger start from KÄLLBERG in the second, BADOWSKI responded well, regaining momentum and forcing his opponent into errors. In the final stages, Anton saved two game points, and at 10-9, BADOWSKI called a timeout. Upon returning to the table, the Polish player managed to close out the game.
In the third game, KÄLLBERG took more risks, but once Marek settled into the new rhythm, the match became evenly balanced again. KÄLLBERG had a chance to stay in the match at 10-9, but BADOWSKI saved it and eventually secured the win.
“The crucial moment was the second game. Anton had a 4-0 lead, I leveled it, and from that moment I felt I had the match in my hands,” said BADOWSKI. “This is the first time that Bogoria plays in the semifinals, and it is very important for us.”
Takuya JIN – Timo BOLL 0-3 (8-11, 4-11, 6-11)
Takuya JIN had the better start, but Timo BOLL quickly found his rhythm. After taking the opening game 11-8, BOLL completely took control of the match and sealed the win in style, marking his 151st Champions League victory for Borussia Düsseldorf.
Asked about his final tournament in the Champions League, BOLL shared:
“I never thought the end would go so smoothly, and I hope it will be successful overall,” explained BOLL. “Usually, I start slowly, but today was different. Everything worked perfectly for me. It’s important for my game to have a good start.”
Milosz REDZIMSKI – Anton KALLBERG 2-3 (9-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-3, 2-6)
After both players lost their opening matches, KALLBERG made a stronger second appearance at the table against REDZIMSKI. The Swede narrowly won the opening game, but REDZIMSKI responded in similar fashion, taking the second game by a close margin.
Games three and four followed the same pattern — KALLBERG edged the third, while Milosz dominated the fourth with a more decisive performance. In the final and deciding game, KALLBERG took control early and maintained his lead, securing the win and sending the German club through to the final.
“I’m happy I managed to win after my defeat in the opening match. The pressure was very high,” said KALLBERG.
