Düsseldorf against Bad Königshofen with surprising line-up
TSV Bad Königshofen is defeated by Borussia Düsseldorf this evening in the German Table Tennis League (TTBL). Although Bad Königshofen had positive memories of their last encounter with Borussia Düsseldorf, they were unable to stand up to the Düsseldorfers this time. The role of favorites remained firmly in the hands of the guests, who claimed a convincing 3:0 victory.
The match started promisingly for Filip Zeljko from TSV, who managed to win the first set 12:10 against Anton Källberg. Nevertheless, it remained with this set win, because the newly-crowned European team champion proved his class once again and won the following sets with 7:11, 9:11 and 5:11.
Stumper withstands the pressure at position one
The surprise of the evening was the decision of Borussia's coach Danny Heister to call up Kay Stumper at position one. Stumper accepted the challenge and delivered. He won the second match of the evening 3:0 against Martin Allegro (9:11, 8:11, 5:11) and gave Borussia from Düsseldorf a comfortable 2:0 lead.
After his victory, the 20-year-old expressed visible relief: "Especially at Borussia Düsseldorf, position one is associated with enormous responsibility and high expectations. Of course, that gives me extra motivation and confidence."
Borgar Haug with dream start at Bundesliga debut
TSV Bad Königshofen's hopes now rested on veteran Bastian Steger, who started against Düsseldorf's Norwegian newcomer Borgar Haug. Steger rose to the challenge and tried to bring his team back into the match. But Borgar Haug shone in his first appearance for Borussia Düsseldorf. With precise forehand and backhand attacks, he constantly put Steger under pressure. Even though Steger fought doggedly, Haug proved too strong on this evening (8:11, 6:11, 6:11).
With the 3-0 victory, Borussia Düsseldorf remains unbeaten and consolidates its first place in the TTBL table.
Excitement awaits the fans of the Table Tennis Bundesliga also in the next two days. On Sunday, September 24, 1st FSV Mainz 05 will take on TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt, followed by the match between TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau and 1st FC Saarbrücken TT on Monday, September 25.
Overview: 4th matchday
TSV Bad Königshofen – Borussia Düsseldorf
Filip Zeljko – Anton Källberg 1:3 (12:10, 7:11, 9:11, 5:11)
Martin Allegro – Kay Stumper 0:3 (9:11, 8:11, 5:11)
Bastian Steger – Borgar Haug 0:3 (8:11, 6:11, 6:11)
SV Werder Bremen – TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen 0:3
Mattias Falck – Can Akkuzu 1:3 (11:13, 8:11, 11:7, 7:11)
Kirill Gerassimenko – Simon Gauzy 2:3 (11:6, 11:9, 8:11, 8:11, 10:12)
Cristian Pletea – Alvaro Robles 0:3 (6:11, 10:12, 11:13)
ASV Grünwettersbach - Post SV Mühlhausen 3:0
Tiago Apolonia - Steffen Mengel 3:2 (11:6, 7:11, 11:5, 7:11, 11:7)
Wang Xi - Ovidiu Ionescu 3:0 (12:10, 11:4, 11:4)
Ricardo Walther - Daniel Habesohn 3:2 (11:8, 8:11, 12:14, 11:8, 11:3)
Sunday, 24. September
16 Uhr: 1. FSV Mainz 05 – TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt
Monday, 25. September
19 Uhr: TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau – 1. FC Saarbrücken TT
All TTBL matches are broadcast live on Dyn.
Header image: Anton Källberg (Photographer: Jörg Fuhrmann)