TTSTAR - ENJOY TABLE TENNIS

03/02/2010 - For ninth time in the row Timo BOLL will feel the heat of the Top-12 Event. In Düsseldorf German star will be in pursuit for the fifth title at the LIEBHERR Europe Top-12, second consecutive in Dusseldorf.

- Where your final preparation for the 2010 LIEBHERR Europe Top-12 will take place?

“This week we are having a training camp for German national teams, both men and women, in our national training centre in Düsseldorf. It’s near this weekend’s venue, Burg-Wächter Castello,”  explained top European player at the rankings Timo BOLL.

- You will try and defend your title in Düsseldorf. Are you ready and fit for this task?

“I’m physically fit. I worked on my body very much last week, rode the bike a lot, did gymnastics and stabilization training, and went to the gym. I played table tennis only twice, but it will intensify during the next days. I’m the kind of player who can improve during an event from match to match. I hope it will work out that way, once again this weekend.”

- In Düsseldorf will also play Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, Patrick BAUM and Christian SÜSS. Eventually Bastian STEGER, join the elite, after European champion Michael MAZE withdraw. It is a great success for the German team. Does that fact make your job easier or harder? Is it hard to play against compatriots on big events?

“It is nice to have almost the complete national team around. However, it’s a singles tournament and everybody has to focus on himself at the end. I would say it is a bit more difficult to fight in a close match against my national teammates. But we’re all used to this situation through Pro Tour matches, German National Championships or DTTL and Champions League,”  explained BOLL.

- Who will be the toughest opponent to beat at Düsseldorf?

“Vladi and Werner are always strong opponents for me. I respect JÖRGEN a lot. If I can be in such a shape in my 40ies I could also imagine still playing. Dimitrij is always dangerous for me to play against and Christian has played very well recently. All in all, all participants are really strong at the Top-12. On a bad day I could lose to everybody. “

- World Championships is the next big stop. Does the preparation starts? What is your goal for Moscow?

“Every match and each training session is somehow a preparation for the World Championships, too. We have a good team and I hope that we can win a medal. It will be difficult, that’s for sure.”

- Special moment at the Top-12?

“When I was trailed 0-3 against Jean-Mi SAIVE and overcame him with 4-3. It was the quarter-final of the 2003 Europe Top-12 in Saarbrücken which I won in the end.”

- Who is the most remarkable person in 2009?

“There are two people who played remarkably last year: First it was WANG Hao winning the World Championships, in the second half of the year it was MA Long.”
(by Milica NIKOLIC, EWT)