Gold for Werner Schlager and Li Jiao at Liebherr Europe Top Twelve

Austria’s Werner Schlager, the 2003 World Champion, won the Men’s Singles title at the Liebherr Europe Top Twelve in Frankfurt on Sunday 3rd February 2007, whilst in the Women’s Singles event it was success for Li Jiao of the Netherlands, the victor in the Women’s Singles event at the Liebherr European Championships in 2007.

At the semi-final stage Werner Schlager beat Belgium’s Jean-Michel Saive 11-3,11-2,11-6,11-8 before overcoming Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus in the final 8-11, 11-8, 11-13, 11-9, 11-1, 11-8; the latter having ousted Russia’s Alexei Smirnov in his semi-final contest 11-4, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7.

Return to Form
It was a welcome return to form for Werner Schlager who had experienced a very indifferent 2007, with injuries plaguing his progress; certainly in Frankfurt it was back to form.

Now I have a period of good training sessions behind me”, said Werner Schlager. “Nevertheless, when I saw the draw on Friday, I couldn’t see any way for me to win the tournament.”

Unbelievable
The Austrian star was very impressive in the final; especially in the fifth game when he surrendered only one point.

“At this stage of the match I’d lost my head and Werner played really unbelievable today”, explained Vladimir Samsonov. “He deserved to win.”

Olympic Games
A return to form and is there is hope of medals for the top Europeans in Beijing later in the year at the Olympic Games?

Werner Schlager is very positive.

A Chance
“Vladi, Timo and me, I think we have a chance against them; a little chance, but a chance” he said and he believes if that is to happen, then European players must make changes and that a replica of his 2003 performance in Bercy will not be good enough.

“Table tennis is developing very fast”, he continued. “I am sure, that Schlager from 2008 would win easily against Schlager from 2003.” Now of that fact I need persuading, I’m not so sure, in fact very doubtful!

Asian Skills
Meanwhile, in the Women’s Singles event it was a final between two players who learnt their skills in China before moving to Europe.

Li Jiao beat Poland’s Li Qian 11-7, 11-2, 7-11, 4-11, 11-5, 3-11, 11-5.

At the semi-final stage Li Jiao had beaten Germany’s Wu Jiaduo 10-12, 11-1, 12-10,-11-4 , 11-9 whilst Li Qian had overcome Viktoria Pavlovich of Belarus 7-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7.