FCS Tischtennis on track: final four ticket within reach
An impressive performance by 1. FC Saarbrücken Tischtennis has paved the way for reaching the final four in their home venue.
After Patrick Franziska, Darko Jorgic and Eduard Ionescu were still in action at the WTT Star Contender tournament in Qatar until last weekend, this week started with a Bundesliga win in Bremen on Monday evening (3:2) then was followed on Wednesday by the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against GV Hennebont. 1. FC Saarbrücken TT managed to impressively demonstrate their ambition to defend their title in the European Champions League: the Saarland team defeated GV Hennebont 3:0 in the quarter-final first leg, dropping only a single set. This sets them up perfectly to qualify for the final four tournament, which is back in Saarbrücken, after the second leg in the middle of February.
1. FC Saarbrücken TT headed to meet GV Hennebont TT with the top trio of Patrick Franziska, Truls Moregardh and Darko Jorgic and made a big impression. In no time at all, the reigning champions secured a 3:0 win in the quarter-final first leg of the European Champions League, with only one set dropped across the entire event. The Saarland players have now set things up perfectly to achieve their goal of reaching the final four on 31 May and 1 June 2025 and defending their title on home turf.
Patrick Franziska kicked things off in Hennebont with a duel against Vladimir Sidorenko. The Russian kept things close in the first two sets but then lost his grip. Franziska ultimately secured the first point for Saarbrücken. Then Truls Moregardh came to the table, celebrating his debut in the Champions League jersey. The Swede put in a compelling performance against Lev Katsman and never looked in danger of dropping a set, putting the overall score at a reassuring 2:0.
It is a great pleasure to play for an incredible club like 1. FC Saarbrücken TT – a two-time Champions League winner.
Truls Moregardh
The competition was closed out by Darko Jorgic, who played Iulian Chirita for the third match. The first set was hard fought and only went to Jorgic in extra time. Chirita was able to secure the third set, but that remained the only set that Hennebont managed to win on the day. Jorgic ultimately won 3:1 and thus gained a clear overall victory for 1. FC Saarbrücken TT.
‘I am very satisfied with the match’, Truls Moregardh said to ETTU. ‘We played excellent table tennis and I had fantastic support from the team. It is a great pleasure to play for an incredible club like 1. FC Saarbrücken TT – a two-time Champions League winner. Winning the first leg 3:0 with 9:1 sets is quite simply the perfect start.’
The second leg will be in Saarbrücken on 16 February. The team will be seeking to secure entry to the final four and with it an opportunity to defend their title in front of a home crowd.