Düsseldorf's Borussia triumphs in the play-off opener
In the quaint town of Mühlhausen, the Borussia Düsseldorf squad showed the Post SV who's boss, securing a convincing 3-0 victory in their playoff clash. Anton Källberg, Dang Qiu, and Kay Stumper shone brightest, triumphing in their individual battles. This win puts Düsseldorf ahead in the semifinal duel, and they'll be one step closer to the German Championship final if they secure a win in the second game on the 11th.
The match was far from a walk in the park for Borussia, as they faced not only fierce opposition but also a boisterous home crowd eagerly backing the Post SV. Anton Källberg grappled in the first match but quickly turned the tables, bagging a 3-0 victory.
Daniel Habesohn and Dang Qiu put on a captivating show. Habesohn displayed a top-notch performance, even earning a backhand point. Qiu struggled to find his rhythm initially, but he eventually got into the swing of things, clinching the match 3-1. The home team may have taken the first set in the opening salvo, but Qiu responded with a series of nail-biting performances, winning the remaining sets by the narrowest of margins, including two tiebreakers.
The third match between Ovidiu Ionescu and Kay Stumper was just as intense. Ionescu enjoyed a 1-0 lead in sets, even securing four set points at 1-1. However, Stumper showed unyielding determination, fending off those points and eventually clinching the third set. With his resolve unbroken, Stumper sealed the deal with an 11-3 win in the fourth set.
Despite the close nature of many sets, Borussia emerged victorious, justifying their win with seven sets decided by a scant two points, with six of those victories going to Düsseldorf.
"All three of our players performed phenomenally," praised Borussia coach Danny Heister. "Anton had lost the last two matches against Bertrand, but he was well-prepared today and claimed the crucial first point. Dang had a nail-biting contest against Habesohn and may have had a bit of luck to come out on top. Kay put up a fierce fight and played exceptionally well. Although the result is clear, the Post SV played brilliantly. On the 11th, we'll need to be just as focused to clinch the game."
The second match of this best-of-three series will take place on the 11th at 7 pm at the ARAG CenterCourt.
TTBL Playoffs, 1st Semifinal: Post SV Mühlhausen - Borussia Düsseldorf 0:3
Irvin Bertrand - Anton Källberg 0-3 (11-13, 7-11, 3-11)Daniel Habesohn - Dang Qiu 1-3 (11-5, 10-12, 11-13, 9-11)Ovidiu Ionescu - Kay Stumper 1-3 (11-9, 9-11, 12-14, 3-11)
Additional Insights:Despite limited information available on specific playoff results, the 2025 Liebherr TTBL final is anticipated to be a sold-out event, with 5,000 fans expected to attend at the Süwag Energie ARENA. The Bundeswehr has also been announced as an official partner for the final[2]. For detailed information on specific matches, including semifinals, it's recommended to check the official TTBL website or other table tennis news outlets.
In the upcoming match on the 11th at the ARAG CenterCourt, both teams, Post SV Mühlhausen and Borussia Düsseldorf, will take the court for the second game of their best-of-three series in the TTBL Playoffs. During the first game, Borussia Düsseldorf secured a convincing 3-0 victory, with football-like tenacity and strategic plays from players like Anton Källberg, Dang Qiu, and Kay Stumper.
For the second game, Borussia coach Danny Heister expressed the need for continued focus, as the Post SV played brilliantly in the first game and may present tough competition once again. The victory in the first game puts Düsseldorf ahead in the semifinal duel, but they’ll need another strong performance to secure their spot in the German Championship final.
