https://2020.sina.com.cn/2021-07-23/doc-ikqciyzk7163886.shtml
https://w.yangshipin.cn/video?type=0&vid=t000023f1q4&channel=ysyy_aoyun
Germany complains about the arena size as well. ITTF has decided to intervene but don't expect much, given they can only move the umpire chairs out of the way, increasing the width by 50cm. (height of table tennis table 76cm 😅)
https://2020.sina.com.cn/2021-07-23/doc-ikqciyzk7152669.shtml
LGL: "Olympics are the hotbed of upsets."
https://www.mytischtennis.de/public...die-groesste-chance--die-sie-je-hatten-ldquo/
GC Foerster: "The greatest opportunity you have ever had"
...
myTischtennis.de : Actually, you should have played an important role in this edition of the Olympic Games. As Jun Mizutani's private coach, you would have been there directly at the pits if he had been given the single starting slot. How did you and Mizutani cope with the fact that it didn't work out?
GC Foerster : We were both very disappointed because the individual was our clear goal. In retrospect, you can say that everything went incredibly stupid against Jun, without this being an excuse. The second individual starting place should either go to Jun or Koki Niwa - depending on who was higher in the world rankings. Now Jun had been invited to two T2 tournaments for which Koki was actually not qualified. In the end, one was canceled and Koki moved up with the other, so that Jun couldn't make up 600 points on him as planned. Or take the German Open game against Timo Boll, where Jun was already 3-1 behind, fought his way back, got a match point and still lost. Anything that could go wrong also went wrong.
...
myTischtennis.de : How do you think Japan's chances are? In which competition is it most likely to beat China?
GC Foerster: In mixed doubles - and after that I put a big exclamation mark! Here you have the greatest chance you have ever had. Jun has already jokingly said that he is now a mixed player. It will be difficult in a team competition because the Jun / Koki doubles have no chance. And when you're already 1-0 down, it becomes very difficult. This can also benefit Germany in a possible semi-final if everyone plays in normal form. In the women's team competition it will also be difficult, the chances are maybe 10 percent. But this little hope is justified. Mima Ito is strong, so is the doubles - something is going on. Unfortunately, there is no viewer bonus, which I think is a real shame. Because in the end the favorites will probably win again.With an entire hall against them, the players also have to come to terms with. Unfortunately that is missing here.
myTischtennis.de : If, in your opinion, the mixed is the hottest Japanese iron in the fire, did you put special emphasis on it in preparation?
GC Foerster : Not particularly when I was there. Mixed is not practiced as intensively in Japan as it is in China, for example. But I very much hope that you have worked harder on it. Because with such a great opportunity, it would be stupid not to focus on it. But of course I can also understand Mima if she doesn't want to put everything on mixed. She has a huge chance in all competitions. I like Mima a lot as a player, she is super dangerous. I trained with her once and it was very ugly. Sometimes she does really weird things with her bat.
myTischtennis.de : And why do you think we can't expect much from the double Mizutani / Niwa? You don't see a left-left combination that often, maybe they are good for a surprise.
GC Foerster : You have already played a World Tour tournament together and lost without a hitch. There have been some good left-left combinations, but then the game systems also have to harmonize. The two play pretty similar, neither of them is a 'killer', they rather want to 'play around' a bit. In addition, Koki is not the fastest - and so the two often get in each other's way. The two just don't go well together.