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The second matchday of the Tischtennis-Bundesliga (German table tennis league) has concluded. With another 3:2 win, Werder Bremen remains unbeaten and holds playoff position four. Borussia Dortmund secured a victory over TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt, who have had an unfortunate start to the season with two losses.

After the footballers' defeat the previous day in the Supercup final against FC Bayern Munich, BVB's table tennis department was able to celebrate its first win. In the North Rhine-Westphalia derby against TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt, the Black-and-Yellows won 3:1.

Only Meissner wins for Bergneustadt

The foundation was laid by Kristian Karlsson, who won clearly 3:0 against Benedikt Duda. However, none of the individual sets were decided by more than a two-point margin.

Before the break, Cedric Meissner then defeated a returnee. Joao Geraldo, who had previously played in the TTBL for Grünwettersbach and Ochsenhausen, as well as in the second Bundesliga for Bad Königshofen, had to concede 1:3 against Bergneustadt's new signing. Meissner's joy over his personal win was muted, however: he noted that the team has now lost two matches, which is difficult to start a season with, though the season is long and he hopes they can make up for it in upcoming matches.

Meissner said he had no trouble settling into the team after his transfer. Ruiz and Duda had already trained with Meissner in the Düsseldorf training group. He had praise for the fans at his first home match, saying he really likes the fans with the drums and that the team needs that support.

Two maiden wins after the break

After the break, newcomer Verdonschot secured Dortmund's lead with his first win in Germany's top flight. He experienced ups and downs against Romain Ruiz, but the U21 individual vice-European champion won the final set clearly (11:3). Geraldo then delivered the final point in the match between the two number-ones (3:1). Speaking to Dyn's microphone after the match, Geraldo said it was a very tough match and he was glad they could win their first match today, adding he was also pleased to win his first match in the new jersey against a very strong Benedikt Duda.

Several factors had influenced Geraldo's decision to return to Germany. He explained that the Tischtennis-Bundesliga is a very strong league marked by professionalism, which is why he wanted to play there, and that Dortmund also has very high standards. He said it feels very good so far, though it's naturally difficult at the start with a new hall, new people, and new teammates, and he needs some time to adjust, noting the format here differs from France, where he played before. He believes every team has the potential to finish in the top four, which is part of what makes the league exciting.

Bremen remains flawless – first defeat for Feng

Once again, the Bremen side went the full distance in Grenzau. The key match was the opener between Feng and Bertrand. After Feng's performance in the first two sets (11:2, 11:8), it looked like a safe point for the Grenzau player.

Bertrand said he was very stressed in the first two sets and couldn't get his game going, especially his serves, but the third set gave him confidence and he got better and better as the match went on. The Frenchman got into such good form that he turned the match around and put his Bremen side ahead 1:0.

Never change a winning double

The Westerwald side responded quickly thanks to a superb Martin Allegro, who swept last year's best Bremen player, Kirill Gerassimenko (20:11 record), off the table 3:0. Mattias Karlsson did the same, winning 3:0 over Kubik.

Since Feng had made up for his stumble from the first singles match against Aguirre, Bremen again had to rely on the doubles. They chose the same lineup as on matchday 1 against Fulda — successfully. Bertrand/Karlsson won 3:1. That leaves Karlsson with a flawless record in the TTBL standings after two singles and two doubles wins. Werder's coach Cristian Tamas said afterward that they're very pleased to have started with two wins, which is very important given their tough opening schedule. Bertrand added that it was a very tough match and that everyone on their team played well, with the team performance coming together.

The Tischtennis-Bundesliga continues already on Tuesday with a midweek round. At 7 PM, TTF Ochsenhausen faces TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau. Half an hour later, TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell plays at Bergneustadt.

Matchday 2 overview

TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt – Borussia Dortmund 1:3
Benedikt Duda – Kristian Karlsson 0:3 (12:14, 10:12, 9:11)
Cedric Meissner – Joao Geraldo 3:1 (7:11, 11:8, 11:7, 12:10)
Romain Ruiz – Wim Verdonschot 2:3 (9:11, 11:6, 6:11, 11:7, 3:11)
Benedikt Duda – Joao Geraldo 1:3 (11:7, 6:11, 10:12, 8:11)

TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau – SV Werder Bremen 2:3
Yi-Hsin Feng – Irvin Bertrand 2:3 (11:2, 11:8, 9:11, 9:11, 6:11)
Martin Allegro – Kirill Gerassimenko 3:0 (11:7, 11:6, 11:4)
Maciej Kubik – Mattias Karlsson 0:3 (7:11, 6:11, 9:11)
Yi-Hsin Feng – Marcelo Aguirre 3:1 (11:8, 10:12, 11:6, 11:6)
Kubik/Allegro – Bertrand/Karlsson 2:3 (8:11, 6:11, 11:6, 10:12)

Borussia Düsseldorf – TSV Bad Königshofen 3:1
Fan Zhendong – Andre Bertelsmeier 3:1 (9:11, 11:5, 11:8, 11:9)
Kanak Jha – Filip Zeljko 1:3 (8:11, 3:11, 11:6, 10:12)
Dang Qiu – Liao Cheng-Ting 3:2 (8:11, 11:8, 10:12, 11:5, 11:4)
Fan Zhendong – Filip Zeljko 3:1 (11:4, 11:3, 9:11, 13:11)

TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell – TTC OE Clarity Telefonie-Systeme Bad Homburg 2:3
Dimitrij Ovtcharov – Ivor Ban 3:0 (11:9, 11:9, 11:6)
Jonathan Groth – Csaba Andras 2:3 (11:8, 10:12, 11:7, 8:11, 5:11)
Ruwen Filus – Juan Perez 3:2 (8:11, 8:11, 11:9, 12:10, 11:3)
Dimitrij Ovtcharov – Csaba Andras 1:3 (11:8, 5:11, 6:11, 4:11)
Groth/Istrate – Oehme/Ban 2:3 (11:8, 11:8, 9:11, 9:11, 4:11)

1. FC Saarbrücken-TT – Post SV Mühlhausen 3:1
Patrick Franziska – Ivo Quett 3:0 (11:1, 11:4, 11:8)
Albert Vilardell – Ovidiu Ionescu 0:3 (1:11, 10:12, 11:13)
Alvaro Robles – Yeh Yi-En 3:0 (11:6, 11:9, 11:9)
Patrick Franziska – Ovidiu Ionescu 3:1 (11:4, 7:11, 11:7, 11:8)

ASC Grünwettersbach – TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen 1:3
Tom Jarvis – Tiago Abiodun 3:1 (7:11, 14:12, 11:7, 11:8)
Tiago Apolonia – Shunsuke Togami 2:3 (6:11, 11:13, 11:7, 11:5, 7:11)
Ricardo Walther – Iulian Chirita 2:3 (11:9, 9:11, 13:11, 7:11, 14:16)
Tom Jarvis – Shunsuke Togami 0:3 (1:11, 12:14, 10:12)

All matches are broadcast live on Dyn.

Header image above: Mattias Karlsson of SV Werder Bremen (Photo: Club)