Commanding performance: Fulda-Maberzell celebrates 3:0 win in Hesse derby
On the 15th matchday of the German Table Tennis League (TTBL), TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell won the Hesse derby 3:0 against TTC OE Bad Homburg. In front of a home crowd in the Hubtex Arena, the hosts delivered an outstanding performance and impressively underlined their ambitions for a play-off place.
The opening game sent out a clear signal: Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the current number one in the league, faced Benno Oehme. Ovtcharov was highly focused right from the start and got off to a strong start. While Oehme fought back courageously and kept the second set close in particular, Ovtcharov was unstoppable in the decisive moments.
Meng makes the preliminary decision
In the second singles match, 24-year-old Fanbo Meng faced Hungary's Csaba Andras, who is two years younger. Meng, who has an even record so far this season, gave the home fans every reason to cheer. After winning the first set in extra time, he did not allow himself to be rattled by losing the set in the meantime. With a 3:1 (13:11, 8:11, 11:5, 11:5), he gave his team from Fulda a well-deserved 2:0 lead.
But the highlight of the evening was the third singles match - a duel that offered excitement and drama at the highest level. Defensive artist Ruwen Filus faced the Swedish world-class player Kristian Karlsson. Karlsson seemed to dominate the match for two sets, but crowd favorite Filus proved once again why he is one of the best defensive players in the world. Filus turned the match around point by point and came ever closer to victory. Things got tight again in the fifth set, but Filus ultimately retained the upper hand and secured a well-deserved 3:0 home win for his team (9:11, 5:11, 12:10, 11:7, 11:9).
The victory on matchday 15 means that Fulda-Maberzell have improved to 20:10 points and have consolidated fourth place in the table. Bad Homburg, on the other hand, remain in eleventh place with 8:22 points and must continue to fight to stay in the league.
Outlook for the upcoming matches
On Sunday, January 26, Borussia Dortmund will face TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt, who have recently bounced back with three wins in a row. Werder Bremen will be looking to finally secure another home win against ASC Grünwettersbach, while Borussia Düsseldorf will host 1. FC Saarbrücken TT in the hope of continuing their winning streak.
On Monday, January 27, TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau will face TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen, who will be looking to further consolidate their play-off ambitions.
Overview of the 15th matchday
TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell – TTC OE Bad Homburg
Dimitrij Ovtcharov - Benno Oehme 3:0 (11:7, 13:11, 11:3)
Fanbo Meng - Csaba Andras 3:1 (13:11, 8:11, 11:5, 11:5)
Ruwen Filus - Kristian Karlsson 3:2 (9:11, 5:11, 12:10, 11:7, 11:9)
Post SV Mühlhausen – TSV Bad Königshofen 2:3
Daniel Habesohn – Bastian Steger 1:3 (11:8, 7:11, 9:11, 3:11)
Steffen Mengel – Jin Ueda 3:1 (11:5, 13:11, 7:11, 11:9)
Ovidiu Ionescu – Filip Zeljko 0:3 (5:11, 7:11, 7:11)
Daniel Habesohn – Jin Ueda 3:2 (8:11, 11:9, 7:11, 11:8, 11:6)
Irvin Bertrand/Ovidiu Ionescu – Martin Allegro/Bastian Steger 2:3 (7:11, 14:12, 11:9, 7:11, 7:11)
Sunday, 26. January
15.30: Borussia Dortmund – TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt
16.00: SV Werder Bremen – ASC Grünwettersbach
17.00: Borussia Düsseldorf – 1. FC Saarbrücken TT
Monday, 27. January
19.00: TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau – TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen
All TTBL matches are broadcast live and on demand on Dyn.
Featured image above: Dimitrij Ovtcharov from TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell (Photo: Philipp Wohlfahrt).