TTCLM final: Borussia travels to Russia with 3:2 win

May 13, 2018
4:53 pm
Champions League Men

German club beat actual TTCLM champion Orenburg in the first leg as Timo BOLL won two matches and Kristian KARLSSON added one

Ten times TTCLM winner Borussia Dusseldorf has secured 3:2 (12:8 in sets) advantage in the first leg of 2017/18 against reigning champion and no. 1 seed Fakel Gazprom Orenburg. Timo BOLL provided two points as he beat Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and Jun MIZUTANI while Kristian KARLSSON concluded the clash by his win against OVTCHAROV who wasn’t in his best shape due to injury.

Timo BOLL prevailed against his team mate from the German National Team Dimitrij OVTCHAROV in four games. Host controlled the game in the first two sets but guest managed to reach third one by a narrow margin in spite of having four set points (6:10). BOLL responded by four consecutive points in an early fourth game (4:1) making crucial run from 6:4 to 9:4.

Two left-handers met in the second encounter as Jun MIZUTANI was extended to full distance by Kristian KARLSSON. There were dozen incredible points but “craziest” moment was one at 10:10 in the third set when Japanese concluded the longest rally in the match.

Third game confronted one of the youngest TTCLM participants 20 year-old Anton KALLBERG and the oldest one 42 year-old Vladimir SAMSONOV. Belarus legend won in four games.

Timo BOLL ended Jun MIZUTANI`s winning run to level the score at 2:2. German has improved his season`s win-loss record to 14-3 while Japanese now has 11-1. Most probably this match was BOLL`s best one in 2017/18 TTCLM so far.

KARLSSON secured victory for German team as he overcame OVTCHAROV in straight games. Swede decided the game by five consecutive points in third set (5:7 10:7).

Second leg will be held next Friday May 18^th in Orenburg.

2017/18 TTCLM final first match

Borussia Dusseldorf (no. 2 seed) – Fakel Gazprom Orenburg (no. 1 seed) 3:2

Timo BOLL – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 3:1 (11:7 11:8 10:12 11:6)

Kristian KARLSSON – Jun MIZUTANI 2:3 (8:11 11:8 10:12 11:9 12:14)

Anton KALLBERG – Vladimir SAMSONOV 1:3 (6:11 3:11 11:7 6:11)

Timo BOLL – Jun MIZUTANI 3:1 (13:11 11:8 5:11 11:3)

Kristian KARLSSON – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 3:0 (11:8 11:4 11:8)

Season’s Greetings from the ETTU President!

Dear European Table Tennis Friends, As we celebrate the close of 2024, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our member associations, players, coaches, officials, and fans for...

The draw for the Women’s Champions League

Stage 2 of the Women’s Champions League has concluded, and the draw for the quarterfinals took place today in Luxembourg.The first leg of the quarterfinal matches will be played in...

In Nail-Biting Finish, KS Dekorglass Działdowo Advance to Quarterfinals

The Champions League Men is proving to be stronger than ever, with some of the world’s top players competing. Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier boasts World No. 4 Felix LEBRUN and No. 5...

Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier triumphed over Austria’s SPG Felbermayr Wels

Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier, featuring two of the most prominent names in European table tennis, Felix and Alexis LEBRUN, successfully concluded the Round of 16 in the Champions League Men. The French...