by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
In opposition to TSV Bad Köningshofen, Omar Assar accounted for Mizuki Oikawa (11-8, 6-11, 11-9, 11-5), to give valuable support to Bastian Steger who overcame both Kilian Ort (11-7, 13-11, 11-5) and Mizuki Oikawa (14-12, 11-7, 11-8); the one reverse for SV Werder Bremen was in the third match of the fixture when Hunor Szocs was beaten by Darko Jorgic (11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7).
Once again when facing TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau, Bastian Steger was unbeaten; he overcame Constantin Cioti (12-10, 11-7, 8-11, 7-11, 11-9) and Kou Lei (10-12, 9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-1). Alas for Omar Assar it was defeat; in the opening match of the fixture, he suffered at the hands of Kou Lei (5-11, 11-4, 15-13, 11-7). The one further win for Bremen was secured by Hunor Szocs; in the third match of the fixture, he beat Kirill Gerassimenko (13-11, 12-10, 11-8).
Omar Assar spoke to Olalekan Okusan, the ITTF-Africa Press Officer prior to his first appearance for SV Werder Bremen.
“I had several offers from European clubs especially from Germany this year. I feel I have I improved and that is why many German clubs were willing to sign me.
“It has been a childhood goal and dream to be the first Egyptian, Arab and African player to play in the best league in Europe. So I am very honoured that I am going to represent Bremen in this coming season. It is a great honour to be the first player from Africa to play in the modern Bundesliga and I am more excited that I have signed to a big club such as Bremen with nice people.
I am so excited joining Bremen, a team that won the league before in 2013. My targets are enormous but my first goal is to show respect to my teammates, members, fans and management of the team during the daily training and preparation for the commencement of the league. I am also hoping that I will have a good first season and I wish to perform very well in all the seasons.”
After two fixtures, SV Werder Bremen occupy second place in the German Bundesliga behind the Borussia Düsseldorf outfit formed by Timo Boll, Stefan Fegerl, Anton Källberg and Kristian Karlsson.
The 2017 / 2018 German Bundesliga: Latest results and league positions