Eastside TTC challenges Metz in the ultimate King class showdown.
🔥 Berlin's (dpa/bb) table tennis titans, TTC Eastside, face another fierce battle, just four days after securing a spot in the Bundesliga final. On Thursday, at 6:30 PM, they duel with French powerhouse Metz TT in the first leg of the Champions League final. The decider goes down on June 12 in Lothringen.
The roster for Eastside remains uncertain. Japanese sensation Yuka Kaneyoshi, who's recently topped the Bundesliga and been in top form, is ineligible for Champions League action. Sabina Surjan assumes the "physically unfit" label, but Shan Xiaona, back from national duty, and Nina Mittelham (if she recovers swiftly from injury) could join the fray.
Group Matches: Metz Tamed Twice
Eastside has confronted 14 opponents in this Champions League season, battling Golden Matches against Cartagena and defending champions Tarnobrzeg in the quarter-finals and semis, respectively. They subdued Metz 3-1 at home and 3-0 away in the group stage.
While the search results don't offer specifics on injuries or eligibility for Eastside, some standout players are likely to take the court:
- Xiaona SHAN: A game-changer in the comeback against KTS ENEA SIARKOPOL Tarnobrzeg, she's undeniably key to Eastside's success[1].
- Sabina SURJAN: Her semifinal performance versus Tarnobrzeg was pivotal, partnering with Xiaona SHAN to notch several victories[1].
Considering the limited information regarding injuries and eligibility, these players should make the starting lineup, assuming they're available. Other regulars might join the action, depending on team strategy and player availability.
Despite Yuka Kaneyoshi's ineligibility for Champions League action, key players like Shan Xiaona and potentially Sabina Surjan and Nina Mittelham might step up for TTC Eastside. With Shan Xiaona's game-changing abilities proven and Sabina Surjan's pivotal performance in the semifinals, they are likely to feature in the Champions League final against Metz TT, provided they recover from injuries in time.
