(by Steve Hopkins)

The Tischtennis Bundesliga (TTBL) final four is underway.  Dusseldorf has already advanced – winning the first two in the best 2 of 3 series over Grunwettersbach.  This week’s focus is the other semifinal matchup between Ochsenhausen and Saarbrucken where they played Thursday and will play again Saturday (and will finish the series next week if the third match is needed).

In Thursday’s match, Ochsenhausen jumped out to an early lead as Hugo Calderano beat Shang Kun 3-0 and Simon Gauzy beat Darko Jorgic 3-0.  But Saarbrucken won the next two – Patrick Franziska topped Sam Kulczycki in a tight 3-2 match and then Darko Jorgic upset Hugo Calderano 3-2.  With singles tied 2-2, the match was decided by doubles – where the team of Franziska/Kun defeated Gauzy/Kulczycki to give Saarbrucken the win.

The next match will be a home event for Ochsenhausen this Saturday.  At least on paper, Ochsenhausen has the advantage – but as illustrated in the first match, it only takes one upset to decide the winner when all of the players are so evenly matched.

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