FANTASTIC WIN IN THE EUROPEAN SUPER-CUP
Hi everybody,
Wow. What a fantastic week I have just had. Who would have thought that I had any chance of winning the European Super-Cup. I didn't have the greatest of expectations going in to this week. I felt that I was hitting the ball well but wasn't sure how my body was going to react to such a tight game schedule. I started off by defeating Dimitrij Ovtcharov 3-2 in a very tight match. Ovtcharov is currently ranked 10th in the world so it was a great start for me. After that I played Skachkov. I played really well again and won the match 3-0. Finally I had to play Bastian Steger in my final group game. I also won that match 3-0, so I went through to the semifinals as number one in my group ahead of Ovtcharov.
In my semifinal I had to play the strong Russian, Alexey Smirnov. Although I won the match 4-0 in sets it was a tough game that could have gone either way. Luckily I had the nerves and calmness on the deciding balls and that was enough to put me through to the final.
In the final I had to finish where I started. Ovtcharov was again on the other side of the table. I lost the first two sets and was feeling a bit down. But I fought my way back by winning the next three sets, before losing the sixth set. Then it all came down to the final set. I played very well on the deciding balls and managed to win the last set 11-6, and thereby the European Super Cup.
I am very happy with my performance this week. I played really solid and didn't make too many mistakes. I was hoping for a good result but I didn't really know what to expect from myself. Now I stand here as the European Super Cup winner. A great finish to a very hard year. Especially here on the home ground of my Russian club, UMMC.
This is a very emotional win for me. It is at times like these that I remember why I put such hard work in getting back from my serious injury.
Now I look forward to 2012. As you all know, the Olympics is one of my greatest goals. It has sometimes seemed like it was an impossible one, but know I am back and I can't wait for the 2012 season to begin.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of you for following my website and for all your support. To all of you, a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year. See you all in 2012.
All the best,
Michael
Comments:
I have followed with great interest the European Super Cup 2011 and treat yourself to this title from the heart.
I was really pleased that you've won the Cup, as the end of this year, yet so bad for you.
It is certainly a symbol for a great year in 2012 with the Olympic Games in London, the European Championships in Denmark, the Team World Championships in Germany but also the TOP 12 in France and other tournaments.
I hope to see you again often internationally, then it goes in the world rankings higher again for you and the table tennis team Denmark (Bentsen, Groth ...) helps it, too.
I hope you stay injury free, because you're one of the best Europeans!
I follow you continue to closely (as the last years always).
All the best!
a big M. Maze fan from Germany
There are so many big tournaments in 2012, but I know you will do amazing given this year of recovery. What a great way to end the year.
Best wishes
All The Best for 2012
Amazing performance, I was quite surprised seeing you play on such a high level. Dima was in good shape during the last weeks so I thought he would be an opponent you can't currently win against but beating him two times clearly shows you made your comeback.
I'm looking forward to your games in 2012 - in the meantime enjoy x-mas and your victory ;-).
Cheers from Germany
Pierre
Glæder mig til at se dine kampe i de kommende år, og ikke mindst når du møder de asiatiske spillere. Det er altid meget seværdigt.
Du gør det endnu sjovere at spille bordtennis.
Held og lykke
Allan
Merry Christmas.
And wish you all the best in the coming 2012!