WTTC- Pre-View
Germany´s teams with a lot of self-confidence on their way to China

We are back, also without Timo Boll. With this attitude in mind, Germany’s men team is going to the team World Championships , starting on January 24th in Guangzhou (South China)
The shock about the absence of top player – Timo has been trying to shake off an inflammation of the patella tendon for weeks  - lasted only briefly. But then Germany’s men team rolled up their sleeves und Christian Süß said: “Now, everyone of the team is demanded. We are also strong enough without Timo, everyone is able to win one match during a game, so we can reach three points at the end.”
andro-star Christian Süß, who turned to the alpha leader of the team due to his charismatic performance at the team World Championships 2006 is optimistic:” I think, it is absolutely possible to reach the quarterfinal also without Timo.”
Men’s national coach Richard Prause believes the same:” We still have a very strong team and we don’t have to hide. With this self-confidence we shall go to China.”
The DTTB-team won at the Team World Championships 2004 in Katar the silver medal and two years later in Bremen the bronze medal. At both tournaments, the German team just lost against World Champion China and won all other matches and their advancement  to the top of the world  was confirmed by the first victory of the European Championships in Belgrade 2007. This points out the class of the German team.
Christian Süß, Dimitrij Ovtcharov, Bastian Steger, Patrick Baum and, as a replacement for Timo Boll called up Jörg Rosskopf, definitely have a chance to reach a top three ranking in their group C, where Japan and Russia seems to be the strongest opponents.    
Against their other opponents France, Serbia and Slowakia, the Germans are favourite, even without Timo Boll. A place in the top three becomes mandatory, if they want to look further up: the winners of the four groups (with each six teams) get a place in the quarterfinal, the second-placed teams of groups play against ranked No.3 teams of the other groups and the winners get the four last quarterfinal tickets. “Of course, we would like to reach the quarterfinal directly being No. 1 in the group”, said Süß. But he also knows:”This will not be easy, particularly when we start against Russia. For sure, this match will already lead the way.”
Germany’s women start in Guangzhou whit the same goals as the men. “Our goal is number 1 to 3 in the group”, says women national coach Jörg Bitzigeio, “and the chance to reach our goal is good.” But Bitzigeio also added: “There are just a few teams, we can say  definitely: this match we win for sure.” The core of this team is formed by two andro-players: Wu Jiaduo and Elke Wosik shall count to the regulars. On the third position, Bitzigeio has the choice between conter-player Zhenqi Barthel and Amelie Solja, who plays with long pimples on backhand and short pimples on forehand an unorthodox offensive game.
With 21-year old Barthel and just 17-year old WTTC debutante Solja and without Nicole Struse, who is currently out of shape, the German team got a new face. “For me the situation is quite unfamiliar”, Elke Wosik admitted. “ Until yet, I have never played World Championships or European Championships without Nicole at my side. Our team is great. We can push each other.”
Wosik is satisfied with the draw, as well. “Our group is fine, everything is possible”, says the 34-years old. Hongkong is deemed to be the favourite, and against Austria the last two games have been lost, but no one is unbeatable in our group. Against Belarus, Spain and Thailand the Germans seems to be favourite. A lot of things depends on Wu Jiaduo, who played outstanding results during the last months. The question will be, if she can also show her advancement  to the top of the world in her country of birth, China. andro-star Dudu does not feel additional pressure, even as the World Championships are held in her native country. “I am concentrated on my tactic, on my opponents and our team”, says the 30-years old. At least two Chinese fans will support her: ”My parents will be there”.  In China she does not feel especially under investigation –  at least not yet.

“In China less people know me than in Germany”, refers Wu Jiaduo. But then she smiles and adds:” If I play good in Guangzhou, then I am going well-known.”

andro offers in cooperation with Schöler&Micke a daily live ticker directly from China so you can follow the WTTC matches online: www.schoeler-micke.de

 

WTTC-Draw


Men
Group A Group B Group C Group D

1. China
2. Austria
3. Croatia
4. Belgium
5. Rumania
6. Italy

 1. South Korea
2. Taiwan
3. Sweden
4. Poland
5. Czech Republic
6. Hungary 		1. Germany
2. Japan
3. France
4. Russia
5. Serbia
6. Slovakia		 1. Singapore
2. Hong Kong
3. Greece
4. Denmark
5. Belarus
6. Spain
 

Women
Group A Group B Group C Group D
1. China
2. USA
3. Croatia
4. Russia
5. North Korea
6. Sweden
1. Singapore
2. Hungary
3. Romania
4. Poland
5. Taiwan
6. Ukraine 		1. Hong Kong
2. Germany
3. Austria
4. Belarus
5. Spain
6. Thailand 		1. Japan
2. South Korea
3. Netherlands
4. Italy
5. Czech Republic
6. France
 
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