June 29, 2010
European Champion Forced to Withdraw from Volkswagen Challenge
 Michael Maze at the Europe Top 12 in 2009 Photo By: Dr Stephan Roscher |
Courtesy of ITTF He will not be replaced in the lineup. |
The World All Stars Team which will now comprise three players: Timo Boll, Joo Se Hyuk and Jun Mizutani. They will face the Chinese outfit of Wang Hao, Zhang Jike, Wang Liqin and Xu Xin.
Still Strong Opponents
The withdrawal of the European champion is a blow to the World All Stars Team but it does not necessarily weaken the visitor’s cause.
Liebherr Men’s World Cup
After succeeding at the Liebherr European Championships in Stuttgart in September 2009; Maze, after losing his opening match against Dimitrij Ovtcharov at the Liebherr Men’s World Cup in Moscow one month later, recovered his best form.
He beat Jun Mizutani and Chuang Chih-Yuan to qualify for the main draw where he was beaten in a titanic seven games struggle against Chen Qi, the eventual silver medalists.
Lull in Fortunes
However, since that time there has to some extent been a lull in fortunes, after such a momentous effort at the Liebherr European Championships, it was only to be expected. No player can peak 365 days a year.
At the Liebherr European Team Championships in Moscow earlier this year in May, Michael Maze was rarely selected for the Men’s Team as they Danish Men’s Team finished in a somewhat disappointing 23rd place.
Moscow Medals
Conversely, Timo Boll, Jun Mizutani and Joo Se Hyuk all left the Russian capital city with medals.
Notably Timo Boll beat Ma Long in the Men’s Team final against China with a silver medal being his lot while for Jun Mizutani and Joo Se Hyuk departed with bronze medals.
Against Germany in the semi-finals, Joo Se Hyuk was the one Korean winner in the three-one defeat against Germany, he beat Christian Süss, while in the thrilling first stage duel in opposition to Germany, Jun Mizutani overcame Timo Boll.
It was for Japanese star, a notable success with the German having an excellent record against his younger Japanese opponent.
Firsts
Meanwhile, at the Volkswagen Challenge in Guangzhou in March both Jun Mizutani and Joo Se Hyuk recorded firsts.
Joo Se Hyuk beat Timo Boll for the first time in his career while Jun Mizutani did exactly the same when faced with Vladimir Samsonov.
The absence of Michael Maze is a disappointment, the Chinese Men’s Team is strong but the World All Stars Team is in form, exciting form.
| Download the latest Flash Player to view content. |