Bundesliga

The prospect of another all-TTBL Champions League final has become significantly more realistic. On Friday night, both Borussia Düsseldorf and 1. FC Saarbrücken TT booked their tickets for the Final Four on 16 and 17 May. Düsseldorf only needed a 2:0 against Post SV Mühlhausen after the emphatic first leg, while Saarbrücken had to dig deep in a 3:2 win over GV Hennebont TT — also because Olympic champion Fan Zhendong suffered two defeats.

In the end, it was not the expected statement performance from the reigning Champions League holders, but the 3:2 still provided a satisfying conclusion to 1. FC Saarbrücken TT’s unexpected detour to Trier. “It was a hard match — as a team we really had to fight,” said Saarbrücken’s trump card Truls Möregårdh after the match. With carnival events taking place in Saarlandhalle, the club switched venues to Trier, where Möregårdh showcased his class and emerged as the matchwinner.

Against veteran Simon Gauzy, the Swede won his first singles in four sets. That he had to return to the table a second time was something of a surprise. Fan Zhendong lost both the opener against Wen Rubio and his second match against Gauzy — each in the deciding set. Möregårdh then made sure there was no late twist against Lev Katsman. With a 3:0 first-leg lead, qualification for the Final Four on 16 and 17 May on home soil was already secured. “We’re really looking forward to the Final Four at home,” Möregårdh said. “There will be lots of spectators, and it’s a big event for table tennis.”

Düsseldorf in control in the shortened format

Borussia Düsseldorf also went into the return leg with a 3:0 away win behind them. Two quick victories — Anton Källberg (3:0 against Nico Müller) and Kanak Jha (3:1 against Ovidiu Ionescu) — sealed qualification early. With a tight schedule in mind, Düsseldorf then chose to conserve energy and let the unusual 2:0 scoreline stand. “In the end it was an easy match, but of course you don’t know that beforehand,” Borussia head coach Danny Heister analysed. “Naturally, against Mühlhausen with this line-up — if they play Müller — we have to win. I’m very happy we won and qualified for the Final Four again this year.”

That leaves just two semi-finals between the TTBL rivals and the possibility of another Champions League final between Borussia Düsseldorf and 1. FC Saarbrücken TT. Saarbrücken will face Polish club KS Bank Spoldzielczy Orlicz Suchedniow. Düsseldorf’s opponent is not yet confirmed; Alliance Nimes/Montpellier are favoured after a 3:1 first-leg win over KS Dekorglass Dzialdowo, with the return leg taking place on Sunday in Poland. Saarbrücken have won the last three Champions League finals against Düsseldorf, while Borussia had the upper hand five years ago.

Champions League: Quarter-final overview

First legs

GV Hennebont TT – 1. FC Saarbrücken TT 0:3
Vladimir Sidorenko – Truls Möregårdh 1:3 (8:11, 11:8, 4:11, 10:12)
Simon Gauzy – Fan Zhendong 2:3 (11:4, 5:11, 11:7, 14:16, 2:6)
Lev Katsman – Patrick Franziska 0:3 (8:11, 8:11, 11:13)

Post SV Mühlhausen – Borussia Düsseldorf 0:3
Lin Gaoyuan – Kanak Jha 2:3 (9:11, 8:11, 11:9, 11:7, 2:6)
Steffen Mengel – Dang Qiu 2:3 (9:11, 5:11, 11:9, 11:8, 2:6)
Marcos Freitas – Anton Källberg 0:3 (11:13, 7:11, 13:15)

Alliance Nimes/Montpellier – KS Dekorglass Dzialdowo 3:1

KS Bank Spoldzielczy Orlicz Suchedniow – KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki 1:3

Second legs

1. FC Saarbrücken TT – GV Hennebont TT 3:2
Fan Zhendong – Wen Rubio 2:3 (11:9, 11:6, 8:11, 10:12, 1:6)
Truls Möregårdh – Simon Gauzy 3:1 (11:8, 11:13, 11:8, 11:4)
Darko Jorgic – Vladimir Sidorenko 3:1 (11:7, 12:10, 7:11, 11:8)
Fan Zhendong – Simon Gauzy 2:3 (11:5, 9:11, 7:11, 11:3, 5:6)
Truls Möregårdh – Lev Katsman 3:1 (11:6, 12:10, 10:12, 11:6)

Borussia Düsseldorf – Post SV Mühlhausen 2:0
Anton Källberg – Nico Müller 3:0 (11:7, 11:4, 11:7)
Kanak Jha – Ovidiu Ionescu 3:1 (10:12, 11:4, 11:7, 11:7)

KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki – KS Bank Spoldzielczy Orlicz Suchedniow 2:3

Sunday, 15 February:
KS Dekorglass Dzialdowo – Alliance Nimes/Montpellier

Picture: Kanak Jha of Borussia Düsseldorf (Photo: Borussia Düsseldorf)