Earlier than Boll: Eleven-year-old makes his debut in the German Table Tennis League (TTBL)

Fifth-grader Marlon Börner gets to play for Grenzau - against top player Hugo Calderano.

5th grade in the morning, 1st league in the evening: table tennis talent Marlon Börner made his debut in Germany's top league at the age of just eleven. Because bottom of the table TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau had run out of players due to illness, Börner was allowed to play against Bundesliga leaders Ochsenhausen on Monday - and against Brazilian Olympic gold medallist Hugo Calderano.

In the unequal duel, the cheeky student put up a brave fight and scored nine points - the final score was 4:11, 2:11, 3:11. On this exciting evening, however, that was irrelevant for Börner, who plays for Grenzau's U19 team and is actually ahead of his time there too.

“Thanks to Marlon, who spontaneously stepped in for our sick and injured boys. This way we can reward our youth, who can say that he played against Hugo Calderano,” his club wrote on Instagram.

Börner is even early compared to the great Timo Boll. The former world number one made his debut in the Bundesliga at the age of 14, which was also quite early. However, Boll is still playing there. At almost 44 - that's four times eleven - years old.

Source: SID
Featured image above: Marlon Börner (Photo: TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau)