Interview with Bogdan Pugna (coach at TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen): “I’m delighted by our players’ courage”

TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen have established themselves among the top teams in the Table Tennis Bundesliga (TTBL) without suffering a single defeat so far this season. Ahead of Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash in the fifth round against three-time champions 1. FC Saarbrücken-TT, TTF coach Bogdan Pugna talks about the guiding principles of his work with the Upper Swabians, the development of doubles world champion Shunsuke Togami and the reunion with world runner-up Hugo Calderano.

Bogdan Pugna, four wins from four Bundesliga matches – your TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen side are in brilliant form after the first part of the season. Did you expect such a flawless interim result, or at least hope for it?

We are, of course, very pleased with such a start, but our main focus is not primarily on the result itself. The task the club has entrusted me with, following two titles together, is to build a young team in collaboration with the club management and the entire coaching staff. For the time being, we’re concentrating on the players’ development; naturally, we’re preparing as well as possible to win every match, but we’re also aware that our opponents could perform better than us. There are still 18 matches left in the regular season, and many different scenarios are possible.

Reaching the Liebherr Cup Final4 would have made the season’s record look even more impressive. How much does the quarter-final exit still sting, following the previous 3–1 upset against the heavy favourites Borussia Düsseldorf and Olympic champion Fan Zhendong?

Of course, our exit from the cup caused a few days of disappointment. In our quarter-final, however, TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell had far more experience than us, and they raised their game to such a level that they were able to beat us. Nevertheless, we’re trying to hold on to the sporting values and fighting spirit that our players showed against Düsseldorf; we knew a victory was possible, and so we did everything we could to succeed. The opposing team consisted of players of enormous calibre, so I’m very pleased with the courage our players showed. I believe this experience will be very valuable for the future of this young team – the youngest in the league, if I’m not mistaken.

Did you fear a negative reaction for the first TTBL match following the unfortunate cup exit at TSV Bad Königshofen, or did you expect such a confident return to winning ways?

I think it’s part of our job to bounce back emotionally as quickly as possible and try to win the next match. Despite the disappointment we’d experienced just a few days earlier, my players once again showed a great determination to win in Bad Königshofen. We played without Shunsuke Togami, although one mustn’t underestimate the absence of Bastian Steger from the opposition, as he remains a very dangerous player. Generally speaking, however, our development process remains our top priority.

Overall, what stands out in our TTF victories so far is the distribution of points across all players. The last two wins were even achieved either without a single point from Togami or without our world champion at all. Is your team really that strong across the board already?

In my opinion, Shunsuke’s current level of performance cannot be compared with that of the other players in the team. He is our leading player, which he has proven time and again. However, participation in certain WTT competitions and other health-related reasons mean that we cannot always field a full squad. It is my responsibility to build a team that can perform well under all circumstances. At the same time, we are aware of the exceptional quality of our league rivals, which is why we work hard every day to improve.

Togami looked even more mature and even more like a genuine number one at the start of the season, particularly against Final4 contenders TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt and in the cup against Düsseldorf, than he had in previous years. How would you describe his development?

When Shunsuke rejoined our team in 2024, he came with very clear development goals. He is a player of immense determination who is doing everything in his power to become one of the best in the world. To achieve these goals, we considered the role of a leader to be crucial to his long-term success. We have worked together in various ways, but he has undoubtedly reached a new level of responsibility and maturity. We mustn’t forget that he is only 25 years old – still a young age for anyone.

Iulian Chirita has also emerged as a key factor in our success, both in the league and in the cup against Düsseldorf. Following his 13:13 record in his previous rookie season in the TTBL, is he now consistent enough to stand in for Togami?

Iulian is a young player who is currently finding his feet in the world of professional sport, and he is putting in a great deal of effort. It is true that his results show he is capable of performing well and acting responsibly. I think time will tell how far he can go. We are doing everything we can to support his development – just as we do with the other team members – because we believe in his potential.

Your new signings, Darius Movileanu and Daniel Berzosa, have enjoyed successful TTBL debuts, and Tiago Abiodun has also managed to score on his third attempt. Is your team, even down to number three, already on a par with the Final4 contenders?

I’m delighted for Darius, Daniel and Tiago that they too were able to secure their first points of the season for the team. What matters most to me is their learning process and the values they’ll take with them to the top level. However, victories give them extra enthusiasm and the drive they need to prove themselves within the team. It’s very difficult to compare this team with others, as levels of experience vary greatly. All I know is that we’ll continue to focus on our values and the development of each individual, and remain a team that’s always striving to improve.

Ahead of the top-of-the-table clash against treble winners 1. FC Saarbrücken, Ochsenhausen already has twice as many points to his name as he did in his first season as TTF coach on the way to the championship, and his team has already shown in the cup that it can beat Düsseldorf and Fan Zhendong. Could Ochsenhausen emerge as the surprise winner in the anticipated head-to-head between Saarbrücken and Düsseldorf?

A match against Saarbrücken is always a special occasion for our team. They were the strongest side last season and have consistently demonstrated their sporting calibre year after year. We will prepare for this fixture just as we do for all the others, even if we ultimately cannot influence the result.

In Saarbrücken, you’re also likely to be reunited with your former top player, Hugo Calderano. How do you feel about this encounter?

Personally, I have great respect for Hugo Calderano – both as a person and as a player. We’ve shared many moments together over the last few years. Nevertheless, I’m convinced that both sides will remain true to their professional commitments. Our team will do everything in its power to beat his team, whilst he will give his all to win for his new team.
Thank you very much for the interview, Bogdan Pugna.

Florian Manzke

Featured image above: Bogdan Pugna, coach at TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen (Photo: TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen)