Interview with Kristian Karlsson (TTC OE Bad Homburg): “For us, every win feels like the championship”
TTC OE Bad Homburg is celebrating its premiere in the final round of the Liebherr Cup Final Four on January 4 in Neu-Ulm. In this interview, Kristian Karlsson talks about the anticipation and possible tactics of the team from Hesse, special cup experiences and the differences in objectives.
Kristian Karlsson, your club TTC OE Bad Homburg is one of the four participants in the final round of the Liebherr Cup Final Four for the first time. Can you already sense in your club and team that this historic milestone is imminent?
Absolutely, we've been looking forward to it since our quarter-final win and are super happy that we'll be there for the first time.
What makes you so excited?
It's a great tournament, especially for our younger players, with an extraordinary atmosphere and a fantastic atmosphere. It's a highlight every year for every player who is able to take part. The tournament will help the younger players in their careers.
In the semi-finals, you and your team will face TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen. The TTBL match between your teams only took place on the third weekend of Advent. Do you think that's good or not so good?
It's not good, because it's better for Ochsenhausen because, as the favorites, they've had an additional opportunity to get to know us better and assess us. It's not a big disadvantage for us, but at least it's a small one.
In your opinion, what are your general chances in the cup semi-final against Ochsenhausen?
Ochsenhausen is clearly the favorite. But when it comes to the doubles, we have a really good chance. That's why we're looking for the right tactics to reach the doubles in the end.
If Bad Homburg and you reach the final, your opponents could be Champions League winners 1. FC Saarbrücken TT with your brother-in-law Patrick Franziska. Would you be happy about that or would your enthusiasm be limited?
If we reach the final, we will have already won a lot.
Shortly before the Liebherr Cup Final Four, Patrick Franziska and you will be celebrating Christmas together with your families. Are table tennis and the cup finals a taboo subject?
That's not possible. Of course, we try not to talk so much about these topics, but it's still very difficult because table tennis is such a big part of our lives.
This is your sixth time at the cup finals. What do you think makes the tournament so special?
The whole event is a great event. In sporting terms, the Final Four is a great challenge, it's about a very important title at a very high level in a very short time.
At the age of 33, you are not only the oldest participant in Neu-Ulm, but also the most successful player at the tournament to date thanks to your three cup wins with Borussia Düsseldorf together with your brother-in-law. What do you like to think back on?
Definitely the cup win in 2017.
Why is that?
It was my first season in Germany and the cup was my first major title with Borussia. It was something very special for me and made me very proud.
Let's broaden the topic a little: If you could choose between winning the cup and staying in the league with Bad Homburg this season, what would you choose?
As a sportsman - for the cup. A title is bigger for a club and the athletes.
How do you rate your team's prospects in the fight against relegation in this TTBL season, which has been so balanced so far?
The fact that we are in the Liebherr Cup Final Four is great and also shows our quality. We will try to ensure that we stay in the league on our own rather than waiting for other teams to give up on promotion. However, after the way the season has gone so far, you can say that we still need to improve a bit.
You were world doubles champion, won gold at the European Championships both in doubles and with the team and most recently also won Olympic silver with the team. What are your new goals?
Bad Homburg is a real challenge for me. For the first time, I'm not playing for titles with a club, but against relegation and to stay in the league. This is a new experience and has made me understand that a real goal alone is ultimately more important for the necessary motivation for a professional than the type of goal. For us, at any rate, every win feels like winning the championship in the past.
Thank you very much for the interview, Kristian Karlsson.
Featured images in the text: Kristian Karlsson (Photo: Wolfgang Bauer)
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.