After first final leg of 2012/13 Menโs European Champions League, played last Friday at Chartres, seems that no one is disappointed. Russian Fakel Gazproma Orenburg, reigning MECL champion, won 3:1 (10:7), but everyone in the French champion are proud on ,
After first final leg of 2012/13 Menโs European Champions League, played last Friday at Chartres, seems that no one is disappointed. Russian Fakel Gazproma Orenburg, reigning MECL champion, won 3:1 (10:7), but everyone in the French champion are proud on theirselves. Clubโs president Loic BREHU believes that his side will not be without any chance in returning game at Orenburg (April 26th, 12h20 CET).
โWe enjoed a beautiful event, with the best players. It has been a great evening of table tennis, nice atmosphere and unique entertainment. We will go to Russia with the aim to fight until the end. We showed that we could compete against themโ.
Fourth Chartres` player Damien ELOI says that he expected more from first final encounter, but however praised his team mates for good fight. โIt is a bad start for sure, but as long as there is life, there is hope! We will do our best to create a great feat at Russiaโ.
Host started excellent, as GAO Ning beat Vladimir SAMSONOV in four sets. Singaporean lost opening set, but in next three he had no any problem. Dima OVTCHAROV leveled against Par GERELL, while Alexey SMIRNOV has brought the lead to Orenburg, beating Robert GARDOS. Both matches had four sets each.
Finally, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist decided the winner in five sets long clash with Singaporean who was unique unbeaten MECL player until that moment. It was, no doubt, the best fight of the night.