International

No déjà vu in the Saarland: 1. FC Saarbrücken TT is aiming for its fourth consecutive Champions League title – but unlike in previous years, the defending champion’s opponent in the Final Four final at home will not be Borussia Düsseldorf.

Borussia Düsseldorf fell to the top French team Alliance Nimes-Montpellier 1-3 on Saturday after a hard-fought battle. Félix and Alexis Lebrun single-handedly sealed the record champions’ fate. First, Dang Qiu lost to Alexis Lebrun 0-3 (5-11, 8-11, 8-11); Félix Lebrun then secured the remaining set wins with a 3-0 (11-9, 16-14, 11-8) victory over Anton Källberg and a 3-1 (16-14, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8) against Qiu again. Kanak Jha prevented a clean sweep for Düsseldorf with a 3-1 (11-9, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9) victory over Manav Thakkar.

“We knew it would be a very difficult match and that we weren’t the favorites,” said Borussia manager Andreas Preuß after the match. “But of course we’re disappointed. Congratulations to Montpellier on their victory. For us, it’s now time to focus fully on the Liebherr TTBL Final4 and the German Championship.”

Sunday’s Final: Saarbrücken vs. Nîmes-Montpellier

1.FC Saarbrücken TT, which could celebrate in front of a home crowd for the third time in a row on Sunday (2 p.m.), previously prevailed 3-0 in its semifinal against Polish underdog KS Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki. The final on Sunday will be broadcast live on Dyn.

Fan Zhendong gave the hosts a perfect start: The former world No. 1 and four-time Olympic champion gave Milosz Redzimski no chance in his Final Four debut, winning 3-0 (11-6, 11-6, 11-4). Patrick Franziska extended the lead with a 3-0 (11-8, 11-5, 11-7) victory over Marek Badowski; Truls Möregardh sealed the quick victory with a hard-fought 3-2 (11-8, 3-11, 14-12, 10-12, 6-4) win over Panagiotis Gionis.

Möregardh jokes after victory over Gionis

“That was so exhausting. It felt like I was 45 and Panagiotis was 25,” Möregardh joked afterward. “He played very well and pushed me to my limits. In the final set, my first three points were terrible, but then I stepped up my game and closed it out.”

For Zhendong, a special matchup will not take place after all: The top player is moving to Düsseldorf for the upcoming season. In the Liebherr TTBL Final4 (May 30–31 in Frankfurt), the season could conclude with a showdown between the two top teams.

Champions League at a glance

Semifinals

1.FC Saarbrücken TT – KS Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki 3:0
Fan Zhendong – Milosz Redzimski 3:0 (11:6, 11:6, 11:4)
Patrick Franziska – Marek Badowski 3:0 (11:8, 11:5, 11:7)
Truls Möregardh – Panagiotis Gionis 3:2 (11:8, 3:11, 14:12, 10:12, 6:4)

Borussia Düsseldorf – Alliance Nimes-Montpellier 1:3
Dang Qiu – Alexis Lebrun 0:3 (5:11, 8:11, 8:11)
Anton Källberg – Felix Lebrun 0:3 (9:11, 14:16, 8:11)
Kanak Jha – Manav Thakar 3:1 (11:9, 12:10, 8:11, 11:9)
Dang Qiu – Felix Lebrun 1:3 (14:16, 11:9, 5:11, 8:11)

Final

Sunday, May 17
2 pm: 1. FC Saarbrücken TT – Alliance Nimes-Montpellier

Header image: 1. FC Saarbrücken TT's Fan Zhendong (by BeLa Sportfoto)