Under the applause from Nowitzki
Sportidol Boll ends career with defeat
June 15, 2025 – 5:09 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
One of the largest German sports careers in recent years ended on Sunday. Timo Boll hung up the table tennis racket after the championship final.
Timo Boll gave his last appearance as a professional an emotional exclamation mark. In front of 5,000 enthusiastic fans in Frankfurt, the 44-year-old showed his whole class again in the final of the Bundesliga table tennis (TTBL), but narrowly missed the title with Borussia Düsseldorf against TTF Ochsenhausen.
“It was not a highlight anymore. But I won’t forget it. Thank you very much!” Said the record European champion to say goodbye to the indoor microphone of Süwag Energie Arena.
Even before the first rally, Boll was celebrated by the spectators with standing ovation. The fans applauded for minutes when Boll was honored for his merits. Nico Stehle, Managing Director of the TTBL, thanked a short speech: “Thanks for the moments, thanks for the magic, thanks for everything. You will always be part of the Bundesliga. Your legacy is forever.”
In the subsequent course of the game, Boll once again demonstrated his unconditional will to win. The former world rankings fought back against the Brazilian vice world champion Hugo Calderano after 0: 2 set deficit, forced the decision set and was already in the lead with 5: 1-before the duel was lost with 2: 3 (4:11, 8:11, 11: 8, 9:11).
Thanks to two victories from Dang Qiu, Düsseldorf went into the decisive doubles, where Boll and Anton Källberg remained without a chance – 0: 3 (7:11, 9:11, 6:11). With this, Ochsenhausen not only secured the championship, but also the double.
On the edge of the event, prominent guests fired their friend and companion: Dirk Nowitzki supported Boll loudly, also DOSB President Thomas Weikert and former Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach were among the spectators. Boll later said: He didn’t even know who came – and had to swallow quite a bit when he saw the rows.
Each point win from Boll was celebrated with loud “Timo! Timo!” Call. The emotions were noticeable – a farewell that is remembered.