Panagiotis TZOVOLOS has been elected the new president of the Hellenic Table Tennis Federation (HTTF). The elections for the new Board of Directors took place electronically during the General Assembly with TZOVOLOS securing the majority with 34 votes. Among the other presidential candidates, former president Kostas PAPAGEORGIOU received 20 votes and retained a seat on the Board, while Diana ZERDILA garnered 13 votes. TZOVOLOS becomes the eighth president in the 68-year history of the HTTF. Additionally, Manolis KOLIMPADIS was re-elected as the federation’s representative in the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) with 45 votes, while TZOVOLOS was elected as an alternate representative to the HOC. All 67 eligible clubs participated in the election, a promising sign for the beginning of the federation’s new four-year cycle. In his first statement as President, TZOVOLOS expressed gratitude and optimism: “I want to thank all the clubs for their strong participation in our Federation’s General Assembly and elections. My colleagues and I are ready to take on the responsibility of leading the federation with a forward-looking and creative approach.” Panagiotis TZOVOLOS brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served the table tennis community in various capacities over the years. A former table tennis athlete for EA Patras, TZOVOLOS transitioned to refereeing, becoming an international umpire. His officiating career includes notable events such as the Athens Paralympic Games, European Championships across various age groups, the Mediterranean Games, and Balkan Championships. TZOVOLOS has also contributed significantly to event organization, including roles in the 2004 Athens Olympics and as an assistant referee at the 1999 Pre-Olympic Tournament in Patras. First elected to the HTTF Board in September 2012, Tzovolos has been a continuous presence in the federation’s administration. From December 2013 to November 2021, he served as chairman of the Technical Committee. He has also chaired the Local Committee of Western Greece and the Peloponnese since the 2010s, with his involvement in local administration tracing back even further. ELECTION RESULTS FOR THE HTTF ADMINISTRATION The following members were elected to the HTTF Board: Newly elected Board
1 FC Saarbrücken Tischtennis e. V. Start Strong as KS GLOBAL PHARMA ORLICZ 1924 Stuns Favorites
The reigning champions, 1 FC Saarbrücken Tischtennis e.V, began their Champions League Men campaign with a commanding straight-match victory in the opening leg of the Round of 16. The German team defeated HB Ostrov z.s. in the Czech Republic. Alongside them, other favorites, including Polish teams KS DARTOM BOGORIA Grodzisk Mazowiecki and KS Dekorglass Działdowo, as well as French side GV HENNEBONT TT, secured crucial away wins. Meanwhile, KS GLOBAL PHARMA ORLICZ 1924 SUCHEDNIÓW caused a significant upset by overcoming A.S PONTOISE-CERGY TT at home. Despite missing Darko JORGIC due to illness, Saarbrücken delivered a solid performance with Patrick FRANZISKA, Yuto MURAMATSU, and Eduard IONESCU securing the win. “We are very happy to have won here in straight matches. It was a tough game with fantastic atmosphere—the venue was packed with loud and supportive fans, which we love. But this is just the first step. Starting with a win is great, but the goal remains the Final 4. First, we need to win at home next week. So far, it’s been a tough season for us,” said FRANZISKA. The return leg is set for Friday in Saarbrücken. In Prague, KS DARTOM BOGORIA overcame SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA. Marek BADOWSKI and Takuya JIN delivered key wins, while Panagiotis GIONIS has to come back to table twice; he lost to David REITSPIES but overcame Tomas KONECNY. “It wasn’t easy. The venue was small, and we’ve had many matches in the Superliga recently, so fatigue played a role. REITSPIES was excellent against defensive players, and I was well aware of it, since we played against each other a lot. However BADOWSKI and JIN performed brilliantly. After they produced 2-1 advantage it was much easier for me to seal the match. There’s still one game ahead, and we need to justify this win at home,” said GIONIS. The second leg is scheduled for Friday. KS GLOBAL PHARMA ORLICZ 1924 SUCHEDNIÓW posted a stunning home victory. The Polish side defeated A.S PONTOISE-CERGY TT with stellar performances by Kazuhiro YOSHIMURA, who beat Mehdi BOULOUSSA and Izaac QUEK YONG, and Mateusz ZALEWSKI, who overcame Flavio MOURIER. QUEK YONG managed a win against Dani KOZUL after a close five-game battle. “I’m disappointed with my match; I led in four games but couldn’t close the match. Still, the team win matters most. YOSHIMURA played amazingly, and ZALEWSKI stayed calm at 1-1. Our supporters were fantastic and pushed us throughout. We now need to prepare well for the match in France to secure the next round,” said KOZUL. Mateusz ZALEWSKI expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance: “We are very happy that we managed to win the first match in the quarterfinal of the Champions League against a very strong team. It was a very tough match; three out of the four games were very close, which shows our mental power as well. Each of us played at a high level.” Looking ahead, ZALEWSKI highlighted the team’s busy schedule:“Now we will play the last match of the Polish league on Tuesday, and after that, we will give our best in the rematch in France.” The team’s mental strength and consistency will be critical as they aim to secure their place in the next stage of the competition.” GV HENNEBONT TT triumphed over UKS Dojlidy Białystok, led by Vladimir SIDORENKO with two critical wins. SIDORENKO defeated Patryk CHOJNOWSKI and Machi ASUKA, while Iulian CHIRITA overcame Piotr MICHALSKI. ASUKA managed a single win against Lev KATSMAN. “The match was far from easy, with a lively crowd cheering for the hosts. The atmosphere was intense, and playing with DONIC balls added a new challenge for me. It was our first time facing these opponents, making every match unpredictable. I’m happy I managed small comebacks in both my matches. Now, we focus on preparing for the home leg,” said SIDORENKO. The return match in HENNEBONT is scheduled for Thursday. “It’s great that we won the match; it was very important. Away matches are always challenging, and UKS Dojlidy Białystok is a very strong team. I didn’t start well and couldn’t secure a win for my team in the opening match. Each game I lost was decided by the narrowest of margins—I was more than unlucky. I hope we can win again in the return leg at home,” said Lev KATSMAN. “Our goal this season is also to reach the playoffs in the French league, which is a very difficult task. We have a strong team, and I’m honored to play for a club with such a rich history. I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent GV Hennebont. The team spirit here is fantastic. Vladi SIDORENKO and I have known each other since our youth. We played together at the European and World Championships in the cadet and junior national teams of Russia, and later we were teammates in Germany’s Neu-Ulm. We’ve been playing together for a very long time. Also, CHIRITA is an excellent player who adds a lot to the team.” KS Dekorglass Działdowo 1-3 prevailed against Postsportverein Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. Jonathan GROTH was the backbone of the team’s success with wins over Ovidiu IONESCU and Daniel HABESOHN. Samuel KULCZYCKI prevailed against Steffen MENGEL, while the only point for the hosts was scored by Irvin BERTRAND, who defeated Jakub DYJAS. HB Ostrov z.s.- 1 FC Saarbrücken Tischtennis e.V. 0-3 SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA – KS DARTOM BOGORIA Grodzisk Mazowiecki 1-3 KS GLOBAL PHARMA ORLICZ 1924 SUCHEDNIÓW – A.S PONTOISE-CERGY TT 3-1 Postsportverein Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. – KS Dekorglass Działdowo 1-3 UKS Dojlidy Białystok – GV HENNEBONT TT 1-3
Europe Cup Men Stage 2: Eight Clubs Advance to Round of 16
After two days of intense competition in the Europe Cup Men Stage 2, eight clubs secured their spots in the Round of 16. The top teams from each of the four groups, along with the runners-up, will now face the eight Champions League Round of 16 losers in the knockout stage. In Group A, held in Linz, Austria, Spanish side UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS – TPF remained unbeaten. Daniel BERZOSA, Aitor COLINA, and Cai SHUNHANG overcame Romania’s CSS SZAK Odorheiu Secuiesc in a hard-fought five-match duel. Despite going the full distance in all three of their matches, the Romanian team managed only one win, defeating TTC SOKAH HOBOKEN. Hosts SPG Linz, represented by Zhenlong LIU, Tobias TISCHBERGER, and Mohamed EL-BEIALI, secured second place, losing only to Burgos. In Group B, played in Roskilde, Denmark, the home team Roskilde Bordtennis dominated with three consecutive victories. Jens LUNDQVIST, Tobias RASMUSSEN, Allan BENTSEN, and Dominykas SAMUOLIS led their team to the top of the group. Spain’s REAL CLUB CAJASUR PRIEGO TENIS DE MESA, with Carlos MACHADO, Alberto LILLO, and Alejandro CALVO, claimed the second spot. In Group C, hosted in Lille, France, LILLE METROPOLE T.T. showcased their strength with three wins. Tom CLOSSET, Romain BRARD, Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA, and Amir Hossein HODAEI secured the top position, pushing Slovakia’s STK Vyhne, featuring Boguslaw KOSZYK, Filip SZYMANSKI, and Miroslav HOREJSI, into second place. In Group D, also played in Lille, Poland’s KTS GLIWICE emerged victorious with a flawless record. Jaroslaw TOMICKI, Grzegorz FELKEL, and Dariusz STEUER claimed all three wins. Germany’s ASC Grünwettersbach, represented by TEODORO Guilherme, Leo DE NODREST, and Ricardo WALTHER, finished second, advancing to the next round. Notably, Grünwettersbach had topped their group in Round 1 last month. Europe Cup Men Group A SPG Linz – TTC SOKAH HOBOKEN 3-1 CSS SZAK Odorheiu Secuiesc – UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS – TPF 2-3 Group B KS VILLA VERDE OLESNO – TJ Geológ Rožňava 1-3 Roskilde Bordtennis – REAL CLUB CAJASUR PRIEGO TENIS DE MESA 3-1 Group C STK Vyhne – SK Vydrany 3-0 STK LIBERTAS MARINKOLOR – LILLE METROPOLE T.T 1-3 SK Vydrany – STK LIBERTAS MARINKOLOR 2-3 STK Vyhne – LILLE METROPOLE T.T 0-3 Group D STK STARR – KTS GLIWICE 0-3 ASC Grünwettersbach – ENOLI BORGES VALL 3-0
Europe Cup Women: Eight Teams Confirmed for Round 3 After Thrilling Stage 2 Matches
The lineup of eight clubs advancing to Round 3 of the Europe Cup Women has been finalized. Stage 2, held in France and Portugal, identified four group winners and four runners-up who will now proceed to the next phase, featuring a home-and-away (double round-robin) format. The Round 3 winners will secure spots in the quarterfinals, where they will face third-placed teams relegated from the Champions League (CL Round 2). In Group A, hosted in Montpellier, France, HB Ostrov z.s. topped the standings with three wins. Tatiana KUKULKOVA, Zdena BLASKOVA, and Veronika POLAKOVA led the Czech side to victory. Spanish team SON CLADERA TTC – MALLORCA, represented by Honoka KAWAKITA, Pauline CHASSELIN, and Ainhoa CRISTOBAL, secured the runners-up position. In Group B, held in Mirandela, Portugal, FIBRAIN KU AZS POLITECHNIKA RZESZOW claimed the top spot with an unbeaten record. The Polish trio of Yami NARUMOTO, Zuzanna WIELGOS, and Katarzyna GRZYBOWSKA-FRANC displayed dominance throughout. They were followed by Spain’s Museo de la Almendra Francisco Morales, represented by Marija ZOLOTIC GALONJA, Margarita FETUKHINA, and Patricia SANTOS. In Group C, Spanish team MIRÓ GANXETS REUS, featuring Margaryta PESOTSKA, Takara MURAKAMI, and Elvira Fiona RAD, emerged as the group winners. They defeated the host team, CTM Mirandela, led by Ines MATOS, Annamaria ERDELYI, and Mariana SANTA COMBA, who finished in second place. In Group D, UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS – RM TERAN secured the top position. Gabriela FEHER, Maria BERZOSA, and Candela MOLERO completed their matches with two wins. CP LYSSOIS LILLE METROPOLE, represented by Shouhan MAN, Filippa BERGAND, Margo DEGRAEF, and Lilou MASSART, overcame Gibrau VIV TT today to claim the second spot in this group of three. Group A União Sebastianense FC – HB Ostrov z.s. 0-3 Alliance Nîmes Montpellier TT – HB Ostrov z.s. 2-3 União Sebastianense FC – SON CLADERA TTC – MALLORCA 0-3 Group B FIBRAIN KU AZS POLITECHNIKA RZESZOW – Museo de la Almendra Francisco Morales 3-1 Group C MIRÓ GANXETS REUS – CTM Mirandela 3-1 BEBETTO AZS UJD CZESTOCHOWA – TT Moravský Krumlov 3-0 w/o Group D Girbau-Vic TT – CP LYSSOIS LILLE METROPOLE 0-3
Dominant Performance by Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier in the CL Round of 16
The team with the most impressive lineup in this season’s European club competition made a commanding statement in the Round of 16. After advancing through the Group Stage, Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier showed their full strength in front of an electrified home crowd at the Palais des Sports Pierre de Coubertin in Montpellier. This match marked the Champions League debut for Europe’s No. 1 player, Felix LEBRUN, and No. 3, Alexis LEBRUN, and they did not disappoint. Their stellar performances propelled the French team to a dominant win over Austria’s SPG Felbermayr Wels in straight matches. Felix LEBRUN faced a brief challenge in the opening game against Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK but quickly turned the tide, dictating the pace from the second game onwards in a one-sided display. Alexis LEBRUN entered the arena fully prepared and dispatched Andreas LEVENKO in straight games with clinical precision. Esteban DORR, the only player from the team who also participated in Stage 1 last month in Suchedniow, completed the triumph with a composed 3-1 victory over Felix WETZEL. The fantastic atmosphere in Montpellier, coupled with the outstanding performances of its players, solidifies Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier as a top contender in this season’s Champions League Men. Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier – SPG Felbermayr Wels 3-0
Stage 2 Europe Cup Women: Intense Battles in France and Portugal
This weekend, the Stage 2 matches of the Europe Cup Women are underway, hosted across four groups in France and Portugal. The competition sees favorites delivering on expectations and fierce contests among strong contenders. The winners and runners-up from all four groups progress to Round 3, which will follow a home-and-away format (double round robin). The Round 3 winners will then advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face teams relegated from the Champions League (CL Round 2 3rd-placed teams). Group A: Montpellier, France At the Palais des Sports Pierre de Coubertin in Montpellier, the top-seeded Alliance Nîmes Montpellier TT justified their status, defeating Portugal’s União Sebastianense in straight matches. Similarly impressive, Czech team HB Ostrov z.s. prevailed over Spanish side SON CLADERA TTC – MALLORCA, maintaining the group’s competitive spirit. Group B: Mirandela, Portugal FIBRAIN KU AZS POLITECHNIKA RZESZOW and Spain’s Museo de la Almendra Francisco Morales remain unbeaten after two rounds. Both clubs were awarded walkovers due to the absence of TT Moravský Krumlov. In their played matches, they secured wins against BEBETTO AZS UJD CZESTOCHOWA from Poland, asserting their dominance in the group. Group C: Mirandela, Portugal Spanish team MIRÓ GANXETS REUS secured a hard-earned win over Hungary’s Győri AC. Bernadett BALINT claimed victory over Japan’s Takara MURAKAMI, but Margaryta PESOTSKA proved unstoppable, recording two straight-game wins against BALINT and Alexa SZVITACS. The hosts, CTM Mirandela, featuring Ines MATOS, Annamaria ERDELYI, and Mariana SANTA COMBA, also swept aside the Hungarian club with a dominant straight-match victory. Group D: Mirandela, Portugal In a three-team group, UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS – RM TERAN finished on top after a series of grueling matches. In the morning, Gabriela FEHER, Maria BERZOSA, and Candela MOLERO triumphed over CP LYSSOIS LILLE METROPOLE’s Shouhan MAN, Filippa BERGAND, and Lilou MASSART after a five-game thriller. The afternoon match saw them pushed to the limit once again before prevailing against Girbau-Vic TT. Notably, Charlotte CAREY delivered standout performances, defeating both FEHER and BERZOSA. Europe Cup Women Stage 2 Group A Alliance Nîmes Montpellier TT – União Sebastianense FC 3-0 SON CLADERA TTC – MALLORCA – HB Ostrov z.s. 0-3 Group B Museo de la Almendra Francisco Morales – BEBETTO AZS UJD CZESTOCHOWA 3-2 FIBRAIN KU AZS POLITECHNIKA RZESZOW – TT Moravský Krumlov 3-0 w/o TT Moravský Krumlov – Museo de la Almendra Francisco Morales 0-3 w/o FIBRAIN KU AZS POLITECHNIKA RZESZOW – BEBETTO AZS UJD CZESTOCHOWA 3-0 Group C Győri AC- MIRÓ GANXETS REUS 2-3 Győri AC – CTM Mirandela 0-3 Group D UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS RM TERAN – CP LYSSOIS LILLE METROPOLE 3-2 Girbau-Vic TT – UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS – RM TERAN 2-3
Europe Cup Men Stage 2: Action Unfolds Across Austria, Denmark, and France
This weekend, Austria, Denmark, and France host the four groups of Stage 2 in the Europe Cup Men. The winners and runners-up of these groups will advance to the Round of 16, joining the eight teams eliminated in the Champions League Round of 16. Group A: Linz, Austria Spanish team UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS – TPF finished day one unbeaten. Daniel BERZOSA, Cai SHUNHANG, and Aitor COLINA delivered victories against both TTC SOKAH HOBOKEN and SPG Linz. Currently, CSS SZAK Odorheiu Secuiesc from Romania occupies second place in the standings. They went the distance twice, losing to the hosts before overcoming TTC SOKAH HOBOKEN in a hard-fought match. Group B: Roskilde, Denmark Two clubs remain unbeaten in Roskilde. Spanish side REAL CLUB CAJASUR PRIEGO TENIS DE MESA, represented by Carlos MACHADO, Alberto LILLO, and Alejandro CALVO, triumphed over Slovakia’s TJ Geológ Rožňava and Poland’s KS VILLA VERDE OLESNO. Hosts Roskilde Bordtennis, featuring Jens LUNDQVIST, Tobias RASMUSSEN, Allan BENTSEN, and Dominykas SAMUOLIS, also defeated the Slovakian and Polish teams, setting up a key clash for group dominance. Group C: Lille, France Host team LILLE METROPOLE T.T. took the lead with a 3-1 win over Slovakia’s SK Vydrany. Romain BRARD, Tom CLOSSET, Amir Hossei HODAEI, and Fabio RAKOTOARIMANANA starred for the French side. SK Vydrany, represented by Peter SEREDA, Zoltan LELEKAS, and Peter MUSKO, fought hard but fell short. Another Slovakian team, STK Vyhne, featuring Boguslaw KOSZYK, Filip SZYMANSKI, and Miroslav HOREJSI, overcame Croatia’s team led by Miho SIMOVIC, Filip CIPIN, and Tomislav JAPEC. Group D: Lille, France In a tightly contested group, KTS GLIWICE from Poland emerged at the top after two nail-biting matches. Jaroslaw TOMICKI, Grzegorz FELKEL, and Dariusz STEUER defeated Germany’s ASC Grünwettersbach and Spain’s ENOLI BORGES VALL. Meanwhile, Croatia’s STK Starr and ASC Grünwettersbach each claimed one win, keeping the group standings competitive. The weekend continues with more action as teams vie for spots in the next stage of the Europe Cup Men. Group A UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS – TPF – TTC SOKAH HOBOKEN 3-0 SPG Linz – CSS SZAK Odorheiu Secuiesc 3-2 SPG Linz – UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS – TPF 1-3 CSS SZAK Odorheiu Secuiesc – TTC SOKAH HOBOKEN 3-2 Group B Roskilde Bordtennis – KS VILLA VERDE OLESNO 3-1 REAL CLUB CAJASUR PRIEGO TENIS DE MESA – TJ Geológ Rožňava 3-0 Roskilde Bordtennis – TJ Geológ Rožňava 3-1 REAL CLUB CAJASUR PRIEGO TENIS DE MESA – KS VILLA VERDE OLESNO 3-1 Group C SK Vydrany – LILLE METROPOLE T.T 1-3 STK Vyhne – STK LIBERTAS MARINKOLOR 3-0 Group D ENOLI BORGES VALL – KTS GLIWICE 2-3 ASC Grünwettersbach – STK STARR 3-0 KTS GLIWICE – ASC Grünwettersbach 3-2 STK STARR – ENOLI BORGES VALL 3-2
SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt is not underdog anymore
Last season’s surprising Champions League Men semifinalists, SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt, commenced this season’s journey with an impressive win in the opening leg of the Round of 16. In the Czech Republic, Austria’s team defeated TTC Ostrava 2016 in commanding style. In the first match, Ivor BAN was forced to go the full distance against Piotr CYRNEK. Amirezza ABBASI MONJEZI needed one game less to overcome Jakub KLEPRLIK, and Frane KOJIC sealed the victory in straight games with a win over Adam KLAJBER. “We came to Ostrava as favorites, but that status was only on paper. We arrived well-prepared to justify it, and we did. We knew what to expect and correctly anticipated their lineup,” said BAN. “I opened the match against Piotr CYRNEK, who, as I heard, is currently the best player in the Czech League with a record of 10-1. My chances were 50-50, but even early on, I had an opportunity to win the first game. I had a 9-8 lead but made a mistake on my service. That cost me my momentum, and I started poorly in the second game.” BAN trailed 0-1 in games and was losing 0-5 in the second game before staging a remarkable comeback. “That brought me back into the match. From that point, I knew everything was up to me, so I played without pressure. The fourth game was close; I missed a few chances. In the decisive game, I was determined. After the first point, I saw my opportunities and the direction the game was going. It was a long rally, but it was the key point,” BAN reflected on the tightest contest of the day. Last season’s success for the Austrian club came as a surprise, but this year, SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt is on everyone’s radar. “We will take it one match at a time. Our main focus is to give everything we have in each match. That approach pushed us forward last season. We weren’t favorites, not even to pass Stage 1, but we succeeded because we didn’t play under stress. Now we know the situation is different, and it will be much more difficult to reach the Final 4. But we will give our best again. What we experienced last season—playing in the Final 4—was one-of-a-kind. We enjoyed every moment, playing every point. It was special, and we hope to succeed again this year,” BAN added. In Stage 1, TTC Ostrava 2016 finished second in their group behind Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier. Champions League Men Round of 16 TTC Ostrava 2016 – SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt 0-3
Dr. Wolfgang DÖRNER Becomes New DTTB CEO
The German Table Tennis Association (DTTB) has announced a new CEO: Starting 1 March 2025, Dr Wolfgang DÖRNER will assume leadership of Germany’s tenth-largest Olympic sports federation. The 50-year-old holds a doctorate in business informatics and has spent over 25 years in management consulting with the renowned Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Currently serving as Managing Director for Germany and Central Europe, he is also a senior partner at the firm. At the 19th Annual General Meeting in Frankfurt am Main on Saturday, Dr DÖRNER introduced himself to the delegates of the DTTB’s member associations and committees. “It is a cause close to my heart to dedicate my energy and experience to the development of table tennis in Germany,” DÖRNER said. “For over two decades, I have given my all to BCG and my clients, and I will continue to do so until my transition. However, the chance to apply the management expertise I’ve gained over 25 years to my lifelong passion for table tennis was an opportunity I simply couldn’t pass up.” A native of Frankfurt and father of four, Dr DÖRNER has been an active table tennis player for more than 40 years. Last season, he competed in Germany’s fifth division and currently plays at the regional level for TTC Langen 1950 in Hesse. A regular at the German Veterans Championships, he claimed bronze in the over-50 singles category this year and won the over-45 mixed doubles title last year. At the World Masters Championships in Rome, he reached the round of 16 in the singles event. He is currently ranked among the top 300 male players in Germany. “We received applications from several highly qualified and impressive candidates,” said DTTB President Konrad GRILLMEYER, whose Supervisory Board oversees the appointment of the Managing Board. “Dr Wolfgang DÖRNER stood out as the best choice due to his professional credentials and deep commitment to the sport.” Dr DÖRNER will succeed Andreas HAIN, who made history as the first CEO in the DTTB’s 99-year existence and has been serving as interim head of the association. Dr Wolfgang DÖRNER will also complete tasks at BCG by the end of June. The DTTB’s three-member Managing Board – comprising the CEO, the Director of Sport (Richard PRAUSE), and the Director of Administration (Matthias VATHEUER) – functions as the executive arm of the organization. Tasked with implementing the association’s strategy, the Managing Board handles all operational decisions. The Supervisory Board, acting as the oversight body, focuses on strategic governance and coordinates overarching policy with the Managing Board, without involvement in day-to-day management. FOTO: DTTB
Borussia Düsseldorf Enter the Title Race with a Victory
Borussia Düsseldorf kicked off their 2024/25 Champions League campaign with a win in the opening leg of the Round of 16, defeating SKST Havirov tonight. The second leg is scheduled for Friday, December 20, at 7 PM in the ARAG CenterCourt. Following their Bundesliga victory against Bergneustadt, last year’s Champions League runners-up set off for Frankfurt, traveling to Havirov yesterday. However, the team arrived in the Czech Republic with a reduced squad. Coach Danny HEISTER had to manage without Dang QIU, who is on a planned break, and Timo BOLL, who reported sick yesterday and stayed home. Last season, Norwegian Borgar HAUG impressed with two Champions League appearances and two wins, but tonight it was Roman POLANSKY who gave the hosts a dream start. SKST Havirov began with strong momentum, but Anton KALLBERG turned the match around. KALLBERG defeated Jan VALENTA and later Tomas POLANSKY, while Kay STUMPER secured a crucial victory over Adam STALZER. Coach Danny HEISTER reflected on the victory: “It was a big match. Borgar didn’t do a bad job in the first two sets. He was leading 8:2 in the first game but lost. It was difficult for him because he was sick a week before the match, but he had to play. Timo BOLL was also sick and couldn’t arrive. It wasn’t easy, and I am really happy with the win. After the break, we did a great job. I think it is deserved that we won 3:1. There was a really good atmosphere—the arena here is beautiful, and the people are nice. I also know the manager very well, and they treated us really well. There are a lot of great teams in the Champions League. We will take it match by match and see how we manage the next one.” SKST Havirov advanced to the knockout stage after finishing second in their group, behind Polish club UKS Dojlidy Białystok. Round of 16: SKST Havirov – Borussia Düsseldorf 1-3 FOTO: J. ODSTRCILIK
