Germany’s table tennis icon Timo Boll said goodbye to the professional sport with a gripping last appearance.
In the final of the Bundesliga table tennis (TTBL), Boll brought the Brazilian vice world champion Hugo Calderano to the brazilian vice world champion of a defeat and then missed the 16th championship with Borussia Düsseldorf in the crucial double against Cup winner TTF Ochsenhausen. Among other things, basketball icon Dirk Nowitzki cheered on his good friend Boll, who lost 2-3 with his club.
The fans celebrated every point win from Boll (44) frenetically, “Timo! Timo!” Songs constantly echoed through the hall in Frankfurt, Boll had to get his nerves under control. In addition to Nowitzki, DOSB President Thomas Weikert and the former health minister Karl Lauterbach were feverish away from the record.
“I didn’t even know who was coming,” said Boll: “And then I fought quite a bit and swallowed who was lined up.”
Timo Boll reveals his big fighter heart
The record champion lost to Ochsenhausen with the tightest of all results, the TTF secured the double.
Boll revealed his big fighter heart at the start and forced a decision set against number three in the world rankings under the cheers of the 5000 spectators. He lost 2: 3 (4:11, 8:11, 11: 7, 11: 8, 9:11), in the last round Boll gave a 5-1 lead out of his hand. Ex-European champion Dang Qiu then led Düsseldorf to the doubles with two wins, where Boll was defeated with Anton Källberg 0: 3 (7:11, 9:11, 6:11).
Boll was honored before the duel began and with a standing ovation for minutes. Nico Stehle, Managing Director of the TTBL, addressed Boll with a short speech. “Thanks for the moments, thanks for the magic, thanks for everything,” he said: “You will always be part of the Bundesliga. Your legacy is forever.”