by Simon Daish
Travelling to Germany in the opening Group C match TTC Ostrava 2016 endured a disappointing 3-1 loss to TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen, returning home with just the one point.
However, the Czech side bounced back in the second group encounter with a comfortable 3-0 success away to SPG Walter Wels, a highly pleasing result in the eyes of coach Petr Korbel.
“Winning in Austria has encouraged us a lot. Actually, for the first time in our short history, we went to the Champions League match as favourites and we fulfilled this task completely”, Petr Korbel.
The positive result in Austria lifted Ostrava up to second position in the group, level on points with Stella Sport La Romagne and Petr Korbel believes that finishing above the French club should be his team’s priority.
“If we consider the German club Ochsenhausen as the clear favourite to win the group, then we can fight La Romagne for second place in the group but we will have to make great use of the home environment. I believe that with the support of fans we can do it, we’re much stronger than last year and we’re in really good shape”, Petr Korbel.
Ostrava also featured in Group C in the previous edition of the Men’s Champions League, but with just one win from six fixtures the Czech side suffered a fourth position finish.
One year on and Ostrava’s objective is to progress from the group stage by any means necessary, putting results ahead of good performances.
“…I don’t care if we play nice table tennis, but if we win then every match is nice”, Petr Korbel.
TTC Ostrava 2016 hosts Stella Sport La Romagne on Wednesday 25th October.
Source: Czech Table Tennis Association
European Champions League: Results and Fixtures