1. FC Saarbrücken TT reached the Liebherr TTBL final. Today they beat SV Werder Bremen in straight matches. The second semi-final will take place on Thursday followed by the showdown in the Fraport Arena on Sunday.
Patrick FRANZISKA was the backbone of Saarbrücken’s success. FRANZISKA avenged his three defeats in the in the duels against SV Werder Bremen previously by taking a leading role today. He showed no mercy against Mattias FALCK and took two opening games – 11: 5 and 11: 9. In the third game FALCK had a better start and went 6-2 up but FRANZISKA was simply unbeatable. The Saarbrücken who celebrates his 28th birthday on Thursday equalized secured three match balls with 10: 7 and used the first for 3-0.
“I am glad that my match plan against Mattias worked so well ” said FRANZISKA afterwards. “I had big plans and had analyzed his game in the past few weeks.”
Just under an hour had been played at the point when Saarbrücken secured 2-0 lead. In the first singles Shang Kun had lived up to his role as favorite. After the Chinese lost his opening game against Kirill GERASSIMENKO with 4:11 he changed the rhythm.
JORGIC sealed the match after starting difficulties. In third position Marcelo AGUIRRE from Bremen was under considerable pressure. The 27-year-old seemed to be spurred on rather than inhibited by this: Aguirre won the first set against Darko JORGIC 11: 5 with an aggressive game justifying his line-up by Werder coach Cristian TAMAS. As the match progressed however JORGIC played better and after 11: 9 and 11: 9 in the fourth set finally had everything under control. Jorgic secured seven match balls and used the first to win 3: 1.
“After the two defeats against Bremen in the previous rounds we were warned ” said FCS coach Slobodan GRUJIC after the game. “Now we are ready for the final and will use the coming days to prepare as best we can. I am very optimistic. ”
Patrick FRANZISKA said:“ We are a little surprised at how well things went today. Now we are looking forward to the final on Sunday. ”
Cristian TAMAS said:“ We had better chances than the final result suggests ”said the Bremen coach. “But Saarbrücken was simply strong today and has deservedly moved into the final.”
1st FC Saarbrücken TT will meet in the Liebherr TTBL final on Sunday the better from the clash between Borussia Düsseldorf and TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen. This game will also be broadcast live on Free TV on Eurosport and in the stream from Sportdeutschland.TV.
Semi-finals
1.FC Saarbrücken TT – SV Werder Bremen 3: 0
Shang Kun – Kirill Gerassimenko 3: 1 (4:11 11: 8 11: 6 11: 1)
Patrick Franziska – Mattias Falck 3: 0 (11: 5 11: 9 11: 7)
Darko Jorgic – Marcelo Aguirre 3: 1 (5:11 11: 9 11: 9 11: 3)
Thursday June 11 1 p.m. Borussia Düsseldorf – TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen
Liebherr TTBL finals
Sunday June 14 2 p.m .: 1. FC Saarbrücken TT – winner semi-finals 2
