For the first time in the history of the European Men’s Table Tennis
Champions League the Belarusian world number six, Vladimir Samsonov,
will not compete in the final.
After the departure in the
quarter-finals, the two German teams from Düsseldorf and Ochsenhausen
have the best prospects for the most prestigious European club trophy.
Mister Champions League Lost in the Quarters
More
than 11 years ago, in the season 1998/1999, the European Men’s Table
Tennis Champions League was brought into being. In the final, the Caen
TTC of France prevailed against the German club Borussia Düsseldorf
with Vladimir Samsonov.
Now Samsonov’s former club is the reason
why the 32 year old will not be in the final this time. Düsseldorf
eliminated the Spanish club CTM Cajagranada, which included Samsonov,
in the quarter-finals. The Germans face tomorrow, when Samsonov will be
celebrating his 33rd birthday, La Villette Charleroi of Belgium, as
well a former club of "Vladi".
The Past Finals of the European Champions League
1998 / 1999: Caen beat Düsseldorf (Samsonov)
1999 / 2000: Düsseldorf (Samsonov) beat SVS Niederösterreich
2000 / 2001: Charleroi (Samsonov) beat SVS Niederösterreich
2001 / 2002: Charleroi (Samsonov) beat SVS Niederösterreich
2002 / 2003: Charleroi (Samsonov) beat Grenzau
2003 / 2004: Charleroi (Samsonov) beat Grenzau
2004 / 2005: Gönnern beat Charleroi (Samsonov)
2005 / 2006: Charleroi (Samsonov) beat Gönnern
2006 / 2007: Charleroi (Samsonov) beat SVS Niederösterreich
2007 / 2008: SVS Niederösterreich beat Charleroi (Samsonov)
Source: www.ittf.com
