The best German player at the Europe Top-10 just starting in
Rotterdam is Patrick FRANZISKA. Young star is currently number five at
the list of competitors in The Netherlands, and number six at the
European rankings. The Top-10 will be FRANZISKA’s premiere this season:
"I had a problem with the knee injury last year. I made a pause and
I did not play. I had some rehabilitation training, power training for
my knees; I did not practice too much table tennis. I came back two
weeks ago, and started to play. This will be my first event".
That is why young German did not want to talk about his winning odds. "I just want to play good. That is all. We will see how far that would get me".
FRANZISKA won the silver in cadet category at the European Championship
in Bratislava 2007. in singles and gold in team’s event. Last year in
December at the World Junior Championship he reached the round of best
16. He is aware of the tough competition at the junior’s event in
Rotterdam. European racquet number one and first seed in Netherlands
Hungarian Daniel KOSIBA, runner from the World Championship in Madrid,
are among favourites as well as Swede Kristian KARLSSON. Swede is
second player at the list.
"I had a good score against KOSIBA. I beat him in two previous matches.
Against KARLSSON is opposite story. He won our encounters in two
previous occasions. From the list of competitors, for me, he will be
toughest player to beat", admitted FRANZISKA.At the competition, there are two juniors from Germany. The other is Christoph SCHMIDL. "He can play very good. He can be dangerous".
FRANZISKA currently play for the German third League club TTC 1947
Elz. Patrick’s home trainer is Helmut HAMPL, whilst in national
selection Georg IMHOF trains young player.
Patrick is completely dedicated to table tennis:16 year-old FRANZISKA
finished school two years ago and started his professional career. "I
just want to be a champion. When it will happen? I don’t think "when"
for me the only important thing is to play good.".
FRANZISKA has no doubt, when we asked him about who is his idol. We get a speedy answer: "Timo
BOLL. I had a chance to practice with him in the same hall, and I get
chance to play with him at the training. It is great experience. He
makes no mistakes".
Patrick says that he loved to be at the big competitions and he enjoyed his stay in Rotterdam. "I
am not scared of the big events. I love it. I love the crowd…I am
focused on that to ¡get easy’. Music helps me a lot. I love to listen
the R&B and hip hop", said FRANZISKA. s a best destination
that he visited so far Patrick choose California. World Championship in
Paolo Alto, two years ago, made big impression to young player. He
reached round of 64 in singles but definitely stayed impressed with the
famous USA states.
Source: www.ittf.com
