Second group win for Saarbrücken in the Champions League - Meissner wins in marathon match
In the second group match of the Table Tennis Champions League (TTCLM), 1. FC Saarbrücken TT once again proved its class and recorded a convincing 3:0 victory against SKST Tesla Batteries Havirov from the Czech Republic. Saarbrücken already had the upper hand in the first leg and also prevailed this time.
The first singles match of the evening turned out to be a one-sided affair in favor of Darko Jorgic. The Slovenian gave his Czech opponent, Tomas Polansky, little chance and dominated the match from start to finish. With 6:11, 4:11, 4:11, Jorgic laid the foundation for the success of 1. FC Saarbrücken TT.
Adam Stalzer and defensive artist Yuto Muramatsu faced off in the second match. Right from the start, the Japanese player demonstrated why he became one of the best players in the league in the last TTBL season. The final score reflects the superiority of Muramatsu, who not only kept control of the match with explosive attacks, but also with an impressive backhand defense. Muramatsu extended Saarbrücken's lead with a clear 3:0 (3:11, 5:11, 8:11).
Spectacular: Meissner wins in a marathon match
The third singles match developed into a thrilling exchange of blows between Jan Valenta and Cedric Meissner. After Valenta lost the first set 4:11, he secured the second with 11:9. The third set developed into a real thriller. After Meissner fell behind 4:8, a chase to catch up began, which ended with Meissner leading 9:8. From then on, neither player was able to take a two-point lead to win the set. In the end, it was Valenta who fended off Meissner's fourth set point and won the set 20:18. In set four, it was again Meissner who was able to put up resistance at 8:10 and force Valenta into the shortened deciding set. Meissner built up a 5:3 lead in the fifth set, but again it was the Czech who did not let up and forced the "gold point". In the end, the German kept his nerve and secured Saarbrücken's overall victory with a 6:5 win in the deciding set (11:4, 9:11, 18:20, 12:10, 6:5).
A tough task awaits Saarbrücken
With this convincing 3:0 victory, 1. FC Saarbrücken TT consolidated its ambitions to win Group A in the Table Tennis Champions League and is now looking forward to its next clash against AS Pontoise Cergy from France. The top players Lim Jonghoon and Marcos Freitas will certainly be a tough test for the Saarbrücken team. Fans can look forward to high-class table tennis duels when the group matches take place in Saarbrücken on December 14 and in Pontoise-Cergy on December 21.
SKST Tesla Batteries Havirov vs. 1. FC Saarbrücken TT 0:3
Tomas Polansky – Darko Jorgic 0:3 (6:11, 4:11, 4:11)
Adam Stalzer – Yuto Muramatsu 0:3 (3:11, 5:11, 8:11)
Jan Valenta – Cedric Meissner 2:3 (4:11, 11:9, 20:18, 10:12, 5:6)
Previous TTCLM Group A matches
1. FC Saarbrücken TT (GER) - SKST Tesla Batteries Havirov (CZE) 3 : 0
SKST Tesla Batteries Havirov (CZE) - AS Pontoise Cergy (FRA) 0 : 3
Upcoming TTCLM Group A matches
05.12.2023 (19:30) AS Pontoise Cergy (FRA) - SKST Tesla Batteries Havirov (CZE)
14.12.2023 (19:00) 1. FC Saarbrücken TT (GER) - AS Pontoise Cergy (FRA)
21.12.2023 (19:30) AS Pontoise Cergy (FRA) - 1 FC Saarbrücken TT (GER)
Featured image above: Darko Jorgic from 1.FC Saarbrücken TT (Photo: BeLa)