A confident performance at the perfect time: FCS TT defeat Ochsenhausen with a resounding 3:0
1. FC Saarbrücken Tischtennis made a clear statement in a top Tischtennis Bundesliga match. Three weeks before they meet again in the Liebherr Cup final four, on Sunday Saarland definitively defeated TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen 3:0 to confirm their title race ambitions. FCS put in a strong, focused performance against the reigning German champions, consistently exploiting their advantages.
This encounter also served as an early showdown between two teams who have played numerous crucial duels in recent years and are once again some of the top contenders for this season. This meant that interest in this fixture for the tenth day of play in the TTBL was high. Saarbrücken brought their top lineup, whilst Ochsenhausen made a few minor changes. Neither team wanted to show their full hand ahead of the Cup semi-final in early January – although that had little impact on the fundamental quality of the lineups.
Darko Jorgic returned to the top spot for FCS, whilst Fan Zhendong initially remained on the sidelines. Ochsenhausen used Iulian Chirita rather than Shunsuke Togami. Nevertheless, the opening singles match set the tone for the day. Jorgic faced Togami and provided a five-setter against the Japanese player, which the Saarbrücken athlete ultimately won 3:2. This represented Togami’s first defeat of the current TTBL season, as well as further proof of Jorgic’s current top form. He now tops the singles rankings for the division with 9:0 wins.
It was clear to the away team that this opening match set the tone. ‘The first match was critical’, Ochsenhausen coach Bogdan Pugna explained afterwards. ‘Darko had a small home advantage and was better than Shunsuke at finding the right solutions. Congratulations to Saarbrücken, they were the better team today.’ This assessment reflected the remainder of the event, as Ochsenhausen were unable to establish a firm foothold.
Darko had a small home advantage and was better than Shunsuke at finding the right solutions. Congratulations to Saarbrücken, they were the better team today.
Ochsenhausen coach Bogdan Pugna
Fan Zhendong left no room for doubt in the second singles match against Chirita. The Saarbrücken player was dominant, controlled proceedings right from the outset, and secured a slick 3:0 win. Ochsenhausen were unable to put up much of a fight against this powerful play, partly because Fan remained consistent and dictated rallies from early on. This gave FCS a 2:0 lead and an opportunity to secure an early win.
Patrick Franziska ensured that this did not pass the team by in the third singles match. The national player drew on his experience against Andreas Levenko, remained solid throughout all three sets, and clinched the victory for Saarbrücken with another 3:0 win. The away team were unable to win more than two sets during the entire event – an unusually definitive outcome in a duel that has often remained competitive right through to the final points.
This 3:0 win had a sporting impact, as well as adjusting the table. 1. FC Saarbrücken TT have now moved up to third place in the table with 14:6 points and pulled away from Ochsenhausen, who dropped down to fifth place with 12:8 points. First and foremost, however, this performance underscored the stability and depth of a Saarbrücken squad that was able to control proceedings against a direct competitor even without Fan Zhendong in the top spot.
Despite this definitive result, the upcoming Cup semi-final is anything but certain. ‘We should not overestimate the importance of a trial run. No-one will be showing their hand on Sunday’, Ochsenhausen player Chirita said beforehand. Both teams retained this same attitude after the match. Although the balance of power seemed clear on this particular evening, the direct duel in early January will be altogether different.
We should not overestimate the importance of a trial run. No-one will be showing their hand on Sunday
Iulian Chirita
However, this represented more than just a standard league win for FCS. Up against one of the strongest competitors in the division, the team impressed in all three singles matches, did not drop a single set after the opening match, and proved strong at crucial moments. This performance should provide a boost of confidence – although without necessarily prompting any conclusions about how the rest of the season will turn out.
The tenth day of play in the Tischtennis Bundesliga will continue on Tuesday: ASC Grünwettersbach play host to TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau and there will also be a battle between Borussia Düsseldorf and Post SV Mühlhausen. 1. FC Saarbrücken TT are now focusing on taking things one step at a time – in the knowledge that they have delivered a convincing performance against a title contender. 19 December brings the Champions League second-leg match for the Saarbrücken team. Dojlidy Bialystok will be visiting Saarbrücken for the second leg, with Borussia Düsseldorf then coming to Saarland just two days later. Plenty of opportunities to ensure a great end to the year – with the win against Ochsenhausen providing a good start.