Timo Boll loses the last game of his career, the Odenwald table tennis star is still celebrated according to all the rules of art. Applause that sends the 44-year-old into the sports pension.
On Sunday afternoon, exactly 4:33 p.m., Timo Boll opened one last time – after almost 30 years of career, after tens of national and international success. The table tennis superstar from the little one in the Odenwald finally broke up. The Frankfurt Ball Sports Hall was the scene of the sports event, the final for the German table tennis championship of the worthy setting. Only: the very big happy ending failed to materialize. Boll lost with his team from Borussia Düsseldorf, the TTF Ochsenhausen has to leave the title. Ultimately, nothing more than a marginal note.
The main focus was on the farewell to the Hesse all day. Accordingly, the 5,000 fans in the sold-out hall paid respect to the 44-year-old for minutes after the game. “Timo, Timo, Timo” calls echoed through the hall, as well as standing ovation, permanent applause, also tears.
Boll documentary on HR television
To say goodbye to Timo Boll, the HR shows a documentary. The film will be on Monday, June 16, from 9 p.m. on HR television and can also be seen in the ARD media library during the day.
Nowitzki presses her fingers crossed
Boll’s last appearance had attracted a lot of prominence. For example, Dirk Nowitzki, a good friend of the Hesse, took up his place in the front row, as well as other sports awareness such as Franziska van Almsick, Christian Schwarzer and Fredi Bobic or the SPD politician Karl Lauterbach, a self-explanatory table tennis and Timo-Boll fan.
They all saw how the local hero was celebrated before the first rally. When a league manager called him warm words, the audience loudly applauded, Boll seemed emotionally touched, but at the same time he was already in the tunnel – after all, only a few minutes later the first individual of the day, that of the Odenwalds against Hugo Calderano, was number three in the world.
Boll lost the sometimes high -class duel after hard fight. 0: 2-set residue, 2: 2 equalization, a roaring audience, ultimately a narrow 2: 3 defeat, which still brought the ovation to the hero of the masses. Boll smiled, shook his head, smiled again, didn’t really know where to go with the feelings – and preferred to leave the interior. First come down after this last career single. The grand finale should still come.
One legend says goodbye to the other: Dirk Nowitzki in Frankfurt at the Boll party.
The decision is made in doubles – with Boll
The 44-year-old then followed his colleagues’ games behind the barrier in the team area, gave tips here and there, the focus was not temporarily on him. Something that he always enjoyed the time of his career. He never looked for attention, attention was paid. Four medals at Olympia (2x silver and 2x bronze in the team), 15 European Championship victories in singles and team, eight World Cup medals, Champions League victories decorate Bolls Vita. In three calendar years he was number one in the world, the first time at the age of 22, the last time seven years ago with 37. An exceptional athlete, no doubt.
After Ochsenhausen and Düsseldorf were in no way inferior in the individual in the individual, Boll should also step onto the plate for the Finale Furioso. On the side of the Sweden Anton Källberg, Boll showed his class again, but it shouldn’t be enough for the championship title. Boll himself celebrated the game -decisive mistake. Of course, only a tiny flaw of an outstanding career.
“It was not a highlight more in terms of sport. But I won’t forget it. Thank you very much!” Said the record European champion to say goodbye to the indoor microphone.
