As expected, the German table tennis women clearly won their first knockout game at the World Team Championships in London and are now facing their first real endurance test. After the DTTB selection led by top player Sabine Winter won 3-0 against outsiders Malaysia, the duel with the selection from North Korea awaits in the round of 16.
Against Malaysia, Winter again beat Karen Lyne 3-0 (11:2, 11:6, 11:7), and Ying Han also won without losing a set against Ai Xin Tee (11:7, 11:4, 11:2). Nina Mittelham won the decisive and only halfway contested point with a 3:1 (11:6, 11:8, 8:11, 11:4) against Li Sian Chang.
After the draw, DTTB sports director Richard Prause described the North Koreans as a possible “big challenge”. The team made the duel with Germany perfect with a 3-0 win over Austria. “North Korea is a team that can play at a very high level, but is difficult to assess because of their few international appearances,” Prause added.
The German men will play their first playoff game on Tuesday (8.30 p.m./Dyn). A tough test awaits against Slovenia around top player Darko Jorgic. If they advance, a duel with Hong Kong awaits.
