The outgoing table tennis Bundesliga team TTC Neu-Ulm is continuing with its strategy of separating national players Dimitrij Ovtcharov and Co. from playing in Germany.
According to the German Table Tennis Association (DTTB), the test-tube team, which is largely in the process of dissolution, waived a timely registration for participation in the coming season in the 2nd or 3rd Bundesliga after the return of its first division license, as expected.
This means that the controversial club can no longer be active at federal level. In addition, the waiver of registration also excludes renewed participation in the cup competition, which is only intended for first and second division teams.
Neu-Ulm only wants to compete in the Champions League with the only team in his entire club in the new season. As things currently stand, Ovtcharov and Co. would be the first team in European club sport to take part in a continental club competition without being tied to a national division.
In table tennis, qualification for the premier class is based on previous results in the European Cup, regardless of national championships. The DTTB sees itself forced to register Neu-Ulm for the Champions League due to the relevant regulations, but has already announced a revision of the regulations for autumn to prevent repetitions.
The trigger for the unprecedented events was Neu-Ulm’s displeasure after intentional violations of the rules by two top-class Ovtcharov teammates about the corresponding bans. Due to Neu-Ulm’s immediate threat of focusing on the premier class, however, long-term planning also seems conceivable. In fact, Europe’s most important title can be won in the Champions League with relatively little effort, without having to bear the costs of a team that plays permanently in a league.
Under similarly comfortable conditions, Ovtcharov had been active at Fakel Orenburg for a long time before his return to the Bundesliga in 2022 during his highly remunerated engagement in Russia. The 34-year-old, who still has a contract on the Danube until 2024, has also been supporting the Neu-Ulm isolation course so far.