The top class clash of greatest stars of today the Euro-Asia All Stars Event gave enormous joy and pride for the Old Continent. In the second leg in Istanbul, Europe won 5:6 on aggregate. In the process, Timo BOLL beat the best-ranked player in the World, Chinese star WANG Hao. The thriller, the suspense, the highest level of game, team spirit and beautiful points in front of thousands of spectators in Istanbul’s crowded hall were shared with millions people in front of TV all over the Europe and World. Thanks to Eurosport and 15 TV stations, the picture has been seen all over the planet.
On the first day, Asian side had a close victory and they went to the rest with the 3:2 lead. In the proceedings, on the second day, in the grueling duels Europe had the same result. Thus, the additional match has been needed. The decision who will play the 11th match was made by the lot. Two captains draw the players and the battle continued in true thrilling atmosphere. The decider was on Vladimir SAMSONOV chests. He faced the challenge and beat LI Ching. Europe won, and saved the pride of the Continent. On the first leg in Beijing last summer it was Asia who succeeded with narrow 6:4 win. “I surprise myself a bit, not so much with the win against WANG Hao but with the result. I could not even hope that I will win in straight games,” said Timo BOLL. German star succeeded against WANG and Vladimir SAMSONOV gave the final touch : “I felt something special here in Istanbul. We build the team spirit and I wanted to win so much against LI Ching in additional match. The victory was sweet, but the feeling that I get when I saw the other players jumped from their seats, it overwhelmed me,” admitted SAMSONOV.
President of the ETTU Stefano BOSI was thrilled after great success of the European team:
“The Euro-Asia All Stars Series was the fantastic event. We had the top-level game and enough tension to keep the spectators on fire from first to the last match. Top of the class was the mach that Timo BOLL played against WANG Hao. I define this match as a perfect one. It was the perfect mixture of aggressive play, of big heart, focus and power. It was great to watch this match,” said President BOSI.
The Next European step will be played in Belgium on October 12th and 13th, 2010.
European leg of the Euro-Asia All Stars Event in Istanbul
Europe – Asia 6:5 on aggregate
Day One
Europe – Asia 2:3
Kalinikos KREANGA – GAO Ning 1:3 (11:8, 8:11, 10:12, 6:11)
Michael MAZE – LI Ching 3:1 (11:9, 11:9, 9:11, 11:9)
Vladimir SAMSONOV – WANG Hao 1:3 (5:11, 11:4, 9:11, 10:12)
Timo BOLL – JOO Se Hyuk 3:2 (11:6, 11:4, 4:11, 10:12, 11:4)
Werner SCHLAGER – CHUANG Chih Yuan 0:3 (9:11, 6:11, 10:12).
Day Two
Europe – Asia 4:2
Werner SCHLAGER – LI Ching 3:1 (9:11, 11:5, 11:5, 11:7)
Kalinikos KREANGA – CHUANG Chih Yuan 1:3 (11:7, 7:11, 11:13, 5;11)
Vladimir SAMSONOV – JOO Se Hyuk 3:1 (11:8, 8:11, 11;7, 11:9)
Timo BOLL – WANG Hao 3:0 (11:6, 11:7, 11:6)
Michale MAZE – GAO Ning 1:3 (9:11, 11:3, 13:15, 9:11)
Additional match
Vladimir SAMSONOV – LI Ching 3:1 (11:8, 4:11, 11:9, 12:10).
Reproduced with Thanks to ETTU