Bundesliga

In a marathon contest, TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt claimed a fifth straight win on TTBL Matchday 17 and took another major step towards the play-offs. In the headline clash at the Burstenhalle, Schwalbe defeated SV Werder Bremen 3:2 — although the Hanseatics remain in an excellent position.

The turning point on Friday evening came in a set for the ages. In the second set of the No. 1 duel — Benedikt Duda against Mattias Falck — Bremen’s leading man had more than one opportunity to move 2:0 clear and leave himself one set away from victory. Falck and Duda traded set points in a thrilling exchange that had the crowd on its feet. In the end, Bergneustadt’s star took it 23:21, then rode the momentum to a four-set win over the Swede. “It was incredibly tight — both players had their chances in that second set,” Werder head coach Cristian Tamas analysed on Dyn. “If Mattias goes 2:0 up, it’s a long road back for Bene.”

Earlier in the night, both top players had taken care of business with 3:1 wins over the opposing No. 2. Duda overcame Irvin Bertrand, while Falck got the better of Adrien Rassenfosse. After the break, Kirill Gerassimenko underlined his strong form and put the visitors in front by beating Leo de Nodrest 3:1.

Werder’s doubles streak ends

There were no changes for the decider: de Nodrest/Rassenfosse faced Gerassimenko/Bertrand. On paper, the set-up seemed to favour the visitors. Werder were unbeaten in four TTBL deciding doubles, with Bertrand involved every time. This time, however, the run came to an end. De Nodrest and Rassenfosse fought back to take the second set after trailing 3:8, and then wrapped up the match in straight sets. “I’m glad that after my singles against Kirill — where I was very angry — I could come back and be 100 per cent ready mentally and physically to deliver a good performance,” de Nodrest said.

Bergneustadt have now struck first in the race for fourth place and the final play-off spot. With a provisional six-point cushion over Ochsenhausen and Dortmund, the pressure is on the chasing pack: Ochsenhausen travel to Bad Konigshofen on Sunday, while Dortmund close the matchday on Monday away in Bad Homburg. Werder remain second, level on points with leaders Borussia Dusseldorf, but could be overtaken on Sunday if 1. FC Saarbrucken-TT win the top match at the record champions.

Matchday 17 fixtures

TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt – SV Werder Bremen 3:2
Benedikt Duda – Irvin Bertrand 3:1 (11:8, 8:11, 11:3, 11:8)
Adrien Rassenfosse – Mattias Falck 1:3 (11:8, 10:12, 11:13, 7:11)
Leo de Nodrest – Kirill Gerassimenko 1:3 (6:11, 11:8, 5:11, 6:11)
Benedikt Duda – Mattias Falck 3:1 (13:15, 23:21, 11:9, 11:5)
de Nodrest/Rassenfosse – Gerassimenko/Bertrand 3:0 (11:7, 11:8, 11:9)

Saturday, 14 February:
17:30: ASC Grunwettersbach – TTC RhonSprudel Fulda-Maberzell

Sunday, 15 February:
13:00: Borussia Dusseldorf – 1. FC Saarbrucken-TT
15:30: TSV Bad Konigshofen – TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen
17:00: Post SV Muhlhausen – TTC Zugbrucke Grenzau

Monday, 16 February:
19:00: TTC OE Clarity-Telefonie Systeme Bad Homburg – Borussia Dortmund

Picture: Adrien Rassenfosse of TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt (Photo: Sven Kubeile)