One of the most anticipated and record breaking final's took place today on the 1st April 2012 at the World Team Table Tennis Championships. China's Ma Long, Zhang Jike and Wang Hao took on Germany's Timo Boll, Dimitrij Ovtcharov and Patrick Baum in this epic showdown!

In Moscow 2010, China defeated Germany in a dramatic final where Timo Boll defeated Ma Long. However China went on to win as reigning Olympic champion Ma Lin shined. Could Germany defeat the reigning World Team Champions this time around?

12.000 passionate fans watched this spectacular final unfold

wtttcchinawin2012.jpg

The Chinese National Men’s Team celebrate after beating Germany in the final
(left to right) Zhang Jike, Ma Long, Wang Hao, Liu Guoliang (coach), Ma Lin,
Zhang Jike -Photo by: Remy Gros


Both teams have cruised through to the final of this spectacular event. On route to the final the Chinese National team have won every match 3-0 defeating Hong Kong, Sweden, Greece, Korea DPR and Slovenia in the group stages. China defeated Austria 3-0 in the quarter final and then Korea Republic 3-0 in the semi final!

Germany defeated Portugal, Singapore, Czech Republic, Spain and Serbia 3-0 in the group stages. Germany defeated Sweden in the quarter final in three straight sets with the German's only dropping one match in the semi final against Japan!

Zhang Jike vs Timo Boll

In the opening set the score line was level on every point, with Zhang Jike just narrowly taking the first set 12-10. World number 2 Zhang Jike dominated the second set with the highest quality of return of serves ever seen! Zhang's backhand flick really effected Boll's momentum within the rally. Jike won the second set 11-6.

In the third set of this epic encounter Boll managed to dictate some of the play from Zhang's relentless style. Boll led 6-4 with a aggressive backhand topspin to gain advantage to 7-4. Jike kept himself in the game quickly recovering to 7-5. The crowd was now really doing their best to lift the German player. However Zhang won the next three points using his incredible footwork and composure to win the next three points. A time out was taken by the German's head coach to try and boost Timo Boll which worked in favour! Boll won the next four points to win the set 11-9.

The crowd now ecstatically lifted during this historical final! Zhang imposed his game in the fourth set with a 4-3 point advantage. Boll however found light and raced into a 9-5 lead with superb control over the reigning World Champion. Boll now with a 4 set point advantage. Two weak serves from Boll allowed Zhang to recover 2 points. The score line now 10-8. Two superb backhands by Zhang Jike saved him 4 set points. A perfect serve by Timo Boll gave him his fifth set point. Jike served, with Timo Boll winning the set from a forehand topspin!

The match now in the fifth set!! Liu Guoliang must have given Zhang Jike a huge motivational team talk as Zhang raced into a 6-0 lead! Boll looked down and out, however two good serves from Boll put the score line to 6-2. Zhang Jike managed to win the crucial points and edged closer to the 11 point margin. Jike now with four match points. Zhang Jike only needed one match point and put China into a 1-0 lead over Germany as he defeated Timo Boll in a 3-2 epic showdown!

Zhang Jike defeated Timo Boll 3-2 (12-10, 11-6, 9-11, 10-12. 11-6)


Ma Long vs Dimitrij Ovtcharov

The second match unfolded with the electrifying crowd predominately trying to lift the German team. Dimitrij Ovtcharov was now up against ‘the machine’ Ma Long of China. Ma Long crushed Ovtcharov in the opening set with scores 11-3. The German coach Jorg rosskopf managed to bring Dimtirj’s game to its best as he produced his best qualities gaining a 9-4 lead in the second set. Once again determined Ma Long did not give up and won the next 3 points. The German coach reacted with a time out however to no avail as Ma Long levelled the score to 9-9. At the business end of the set Ovtcharov missed a backhand from an easy ball. Pressure was mounted upon the arena. Ma Long won his set point on a splendid rally with Ma Long jumping and pumping his fists into the air!

Ma Long maintained momentum in the third set as he gained a 5-3 lead. Ma Long missed a serve and a forehand, Ovtcharov now led 6-5. World number 1 Ma Long quickly recovered and won the next four points. Ovtcharov snapped back with a backhand. Long now led 9-7. A few points later China’s team coach Liu Guoliang called a time out as Ma Long led 10-9 with his third match point attempt. Ovtcharov levelled to 10-10! A great serve from the German followed by a forehand put him in his first set point. Intense focus by Ma Long won him the next 2 points to give him the win!

Ma Long defeated Dimitrij Ovtcharov 3-0 (11-3, 11-9, 13-11)


Wang Hao vs Patrick Baum

During the third match Patrick Baum came flying out of the blocks full of confidence. Patrick won the first game 11-8! Wang Hao responded in the second set as he pressed on the gas and won by 11 points to 5. Wang Hao followed suit in the third set to win 11-5. In the fourth set of this close match Patrick Baum played superbly competition with Wang Hao to 10 points each! Could Germany make a heroic comeback?
It was not meant to be in this case as Wang Hao won the fourth set 12-10. Hao celebrated and jumped into the air full of delight as he, Ma Long and Wang Hao got China to victory!


Congratulations to China as they become World Team Table Tennis Champions 2012!

zhangwtttc2012f.jpg

Photo by: Getty Images


The World Team Championships discussion continues, be sure to get involved with all the TableTennisDaily members here.

To catch up with all the latest matches from this spectacular event check out our Media Library

Thanks for following all our updates! We hope you enjoyed all our coverage from the event :)

TableTennisDaily
 
Top