International
Table Tennis World Championships: German men advance to the round of 16
The German men’s table tennis team have reached the last 16 at the World Team Championships in London. The team, led by world number ten Dang Qiu, comfortably beat the 2025 European champions from Slovenia 3–0 in a tough first-round knockout match.
With this victory in 99 minutes, the German team made their mark for the first time in this tournament. Benedikt Duda came from behind early in the match to beat Deni Kozul 3-0 (11-8, 12-10, 11-7) in just twelve minutes. Patrick Franziska (33) then prevailed 3-1 (14-12, 1-11, 11-8, 11-8) in a closely fought duel against world number 14 (14-12, 1-11, 11-8, 11-8).
Germany’s number one, Dang Qiu (29), also defeated Bojan Tokic in the third match without much trouble, winning 3-0 (11-6, 11-8, 11-8). After a mixed preliminary round with one win and two defeats, national coach Jörg Roßkopf’s team put in a confident and cohesive performance in the round of 32.
Their next opponents in the round of 16 are Hong Kong. The 2024 World Championship semi-finalists had already won 3-0 against North Korea on Monday. The North Korean women, meanwhile, are the next opponents for the German women’s team. The team led by top player Sabine Winter will face their challenge in the round of 16 on Wednesday (8.30 pm/Dyn).
Source: SID
Featured image above: Patrick Franziska (BeLaSportfoto)
