Austria Plays the Korean Republic for Bronze

The two contests in the Men’s Team event bronze medal playoff today at Peking University Gymnasium had a very high playing level. Austria beat Japan 3-1, in spite of KAN Yo’s 3-0 win in the opening match against 2003 world singles champion Werner SCHLAGER. In the second match, 19 year old MIZUTANI Jun was not able to break the defensive wall CHEN Weixing. The Chinese-born Austrian won 3-0. “I lost, because, I was so tired of last night’s match”, said MIZUTANI.

Victory with 147 to 141 Points for Lucky Austrians
The decisive match was the doubles. The Robert GARDOS and CHEN Weixing beat 2004 world junior champions in doubles MIZUTANI Jun and KISHIKAWA Seiya. The fifth game ended 14-12 with two points on a net roller, which just fell down on the other side of the net with no chance to return for the Japanese pair.

World number 47 Robert GARDOS finalised the Austrian triumph by beating world number 19 KAN Yo with 3-1. After one hour and 48 minutes, Austria won 3-1 scoring 147 against 141 points for the Japanese. Match winner Robert GARDOS said about his win against KAN Yo. ”Since I was very happy about our result of the doubles, I felt that I could potentially play well in my singles match. Even though I had great confidence after my performance in the doubles, it was hard to calm down because the doubles was such a big match.”

Bronze Medal Favourite Prevails
Korea Republic is only one step away from an Olympic medal. The team from coach YOO Nam Kyu beat Hong Kong China in the other bronze medal playoff contest 3-1. OH San Eun won 3-1 against CHEUNG Yuk proving his excellent shape once again. LI Ching (no. 11) equalised winning against the reigning Olympic champion RYU Seung Min (no. 8) in a match with lots of magnificent rallies. A full Peking Gymnasium applauded enthusiastically.

Korean Comebacks
The doubles match was crucial with the Korean pair YOON Jae Young/RYU Seung Min being down 0-2 turning the match against 2004 vice Olympic champions LI Ching / KO Lai Chak. In the fourth match OH Sang Eun lost the first two games, but again it turned in favour of Korea. Hong Kong’s KO Lai Chak felt accordingly. “I am very disappointed” said the 32 year old afterwards. “In the doubles and in my single I lead 2-0 and lost.”

OH won in the fifth game 11-3 to secure the 3-1 victory for his team after two hours and 24 minutes. The bronze medal contest between Austria and Korea will be played on Monday 18th August at 14:30.