Steffen Mengel (Post SV Mühlhausen): "Decision about the fourth play-off place will only be made in the season finale".

Steffen Mengel is fighting for play-off participation in the table tennis Bundesliga with Post SV Mühlhausen. As fourth in the TTBL table, the Thuringians are still in pole position compared to their rivals TSV Bad Königshofen at the start of the final spurt. In the interview, Mengel talks about his team's chances of making the play-offs again, but also about his role as substitute coach for Mühlhausen's head coach Erik Schreyer, who is ill.

Steffen Mengel, you haven't played in the table tennis Bundesliga since the end of January due to shoulder problems at Post SV Mühlhausen after a previous 5-0 record. In the Champions League, after your comeback in the first semifinal, you had to miss again in the decisive second match at 1. FC Saarbrücken-TT. Will you be able to play again in your team's important matches in the race for play-off participation on the last weekend in February against Borussia Düsseldorf and at FSV Mainz 05?

I had already had slight problems with my shoulder before our match at TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell, which got worse during the match, which is why I missed the next two matches against Werder Bremen and against TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau. Although I was able to play in the first Champions League semifinal again, I suddenly got a stiff neck before the second leg and couldn't turn my head anymore, so unfortunately I couldn't play there again. But I'm fit for the games in Düsseldorf and against Mainz.

From your point of view, which game is more difficult: Saturday in your own arena against the sovereign league leaders from Düsseldorf or a day later at the bottom of the league in Mainz?

The game against Düsseldorf is definitely more difficult. But that doesn't mean we're so sure of victory against Mainz that we'll take the game lightly. We know that Mainz has already caused a surprise or two in the league and has one of the best players in the league in Yuto Muramatsu, who is always good for two points. That's why I'm convinced that we'll have to put in a good performance in Mainz to be able to win.

Due to the absence of your head coach Erik Schreyer due to illness, you are also acting as a substitute coach for your team. How does this dual role change your personal preparation for such a landmark double matchday?

Because I'm acting as a player again in both games, my preparation doesn't change that much. But of course the preparation for the games against Bremen and Grenzau was considerably different than usual, because I tried to prepare the team as best as possible and for that I also looked at the last encounters of the possible matches, made notes, studied the last games of the opponents, because of our left-handed player Irvin Bertrand especially also under the aspect of how they play against left-handed players, and on top of that the doubles. So the preparation for a Bundesliga match as a coach was quite time-consuming, that's much shorter when I prepare only as a player.

Have you had any "aha" moments as a result of your additional role?

The amount of time a coach spends on a Bundesliga match was an important insight. I hadn't been aware of it to the extent that I have now. But I've also noticed that I can get much more involved in these games when I'm not playing and sitting behind the box. In Fulda, for example, I was already subconsciously thinking about my own game despite my role as a coach

In Mühlhausen, other people besides Erik Schreyer have a coaching license. What was the decisive factor in your decision to take over the position until Schreyer recovers?

I've been very close to the team throughout the season and know every player inside out, so it was clear to us that I would take on the role of coach when I wasn't playing.

You've also taken on the responsibility at the crucial stage of the season. As things stand, your team is battling with TSV Bad Königshofen for the fourth and final playoff spot. How important are your current two-point lead?

At the moment, it really comes down to a duel between Mühlhausen and Bad Königshofen. Bremen certainly still has outside chances, but has stumbled several times recently. We now have to make sure that we are there in the decisive phase of the season. The lead is therefore also very important, especially as we also have the better game ratio.

Do either of the two teams have an advantage due to the remaining schedule?

We have perhaps the slightly more difficult remaining program due to the matches against Düsseldorf and TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen, while Bad Königshofen only has one more match against a top team, against Saarbrücken. But we are two points ahead at the moment. Ultimately, however, everything has to be played first.

On the last matchday, you and your team have to travel to Bad Königshofen. Will that be a final for play-off participation or will the decision already have been made by then?

I hope, of course, that the decision will have been made for us by then if possible, but I suspect that the season finale in Bad Königshofen will still be important and that the decision on the fourth play-off place won't be made until then.