Interview with Hugo Calderano (TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen): “Winning the title would help us for the future”
TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen are one of the favorites for the Liebherr Cup Final Four on January 4 in Ulm/Neu-Ulm. In this interview, their top player Hugo Calderano talks about the importance of the cup competition, his coaching for his partner Bruna Takahashi and his legendary Rubik's Cube skills.
Hugo Calderano, the Liebherr Cup Final Four on January 4 in Ulm/Neu-Ulm will be the first highlight of the season for you and TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen. How important is the cup in the busy schedule of a TTBL star?
The Final Four is very important for us, especially this year. We have a very strong team and are looking forward to it!
You will face TTC OE Bad Homburg in the semi-finals. Can the duel with the newly promoted team be described as a dream match, especially as all your rivals are only too happy to give your team the role of favorites? Which team do you think is the toughest rival?
All the teams are in the Final Four because they deserve to be there and have the level to be there. So it will definitely be a challenge for us to play them all.
You are one of the most experienced players in Ulm/Neu-Ulm in your sixth participation in the Liebherr Cup Final Four. What do you think makes this tournament so appealing?
It's always a very entertaining event, great atmosphere, great games and every team is fighting for a title. That's the beauty of the Final Four!
You won the trophy once before with Ochsenhauen in 2019. Is that your best memory of the competition or do you also have fond memories of other cup events?
Of course, my best memory is when we won for Ochsenhausen in 2019!
In the TTBL, the play-off places are more competitive than perhaps ever before. Could winning the cup as the first title of the season for an ambitious team like Ochsenhausen relieve some of the pressure to succeed in the points round?
Yes, winning the title would definitely help us in the future. But I think the most important thing is to simply give our best at the Final Four and concentrate on the moment.
Let's take a closer look at you personally: At the Olympic Games in Paris, you were closer than ever to your dream of an Olympic medal. How have you dealt with missing out on a place on the medal podium and are you aiming to win another Olympic medal in Los Angeles in 2028 - when you will be 32 years old?
It wasn't easy not to win the medal in Paris after coming so close. It takes time to process, but I will continue to work hard every day and will definitely be ready for LA 28.
At tournaments such as the China Smash or recently again at the WTT Champions in Frankfurt, you have also been seen coaching your partner Bruna Takahashi. Did this come about by chance because you both took part in the same tournaments, or are you preparing for a future as a coach in this way?
I try to support them inside and outside of table tennis, so “coaching” at WTT tournaments is just one way to do that. At the moment I'm not thinking about becoming a coach though.
Finally, a question without table tennis: your skills with the Rubik's Cube are almost legendary. Have you played with it again recently?
I haven't played with the Rubik's cube for a while now. But it will always be something I enjoy doing from time to time!
Thank you very much for talking to us, Hugo Calderano.
Interview: Florian Manzke
Featured images in the text: Hugo Calderano (Photos: Nicolai Schaal)
Overview of the Liebherr Cup Final Four on January 4, 2025
Semi-finals, from 11 a.m.
Semi-finals 1: TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen – TTC OE Bad Homburg
Semi-finals 2: SV Werder Bremen – 1. FC Saarbrücken TT
Final, following
Winner Semi-finals 1 – Winner Semi-finals 2
Tickets for specific seats can be ordered in the TTBL ticket store, by telephone on 0761 888499 99 and at all known advance booking offices.