10/13/2009 LIEBHERR 2009 Men's World Cup

Denmark’s rejuvenated hero Michael Maze is about to test his limits in Moscow. At the LIEBHERR Men’s World Cup in Russia’s capital, the newly crowned European champion, as well as Germany’s Timo Boll plus two Japanese shooting stars and Korea’s table tennis crème de la crème, will challenge China’s Ma Long and Chen Qi. The ultimate test for the top male players from all continents will be broadcast live on itTV from 17th October, 15.00 GMT and on demand from the start.

 10/18/2009 LIEBHERR 2009 Men's World Cup

Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus was crowned Liebherr Men’s World Cup champion late in the afternoon of Sunday 18th October 2009 beating China’s Chen Qi in five games at the final hurdle.

It was the third time in eleven appearances that Vladimir Samsonov has won the title; he won in 1999 in the Chinese city of Xiaolan and in 2001 in the Italian city of Courmayeur.

He was the most experienced player in the whole field having made his debut in the competition in Nîmes in 1996 when he finished in third place; by comparison Chen Qi was very much the junior. He was playing in his first ever Men’s World Cup.

 10/18/2009 LIEBHERR 2009 Men's World Cup

China’s Ma Long clinched third place at the Liebherr Men’s World Cup in Moscow on Sunday 18th October 2009 beating Korea’s Oh Sang Eun in five games in the play-off match.

It was for Oh Sang Eun his best ever finish in a Men’s World Cup, the previous best being in 2002 in the Chinese city of Jinan when he departed at the quarter-final stage. Meanwhile, for Ma Long it was a repeat of one year earlier; in his first appearance in the annual tournament he had finished in third place in the Belgian city of Liège.

 10/18/2009 LIEBHERR 2009 Men's World Cup

At 1.04 pm on the afternoon of Sunday 18th October 2009 there was rejoicing in the USZ Druzhba Stadium, uproar; Vladimir Samosonov of Belarus beat China’s Ma Long to book his place in the final at the Liebherr Men’s World Cup in Moscow.

He won a match of epic proportions; one that will stay long in the Russian memory bank, a contest where the crowd’s favourite succeeded and table tennis emerged victorious.

It was little consolation for Ma Long, for the second year in succession he had been beaten at the semi-final stage; one year earlier in Liège he had suffered the same fate against Timo Boll.

 10/18/2009 LIEBHERR 2009 Men's World Cup

China’s Chen Qi booked his place in the final of the Liebherr Men’s World Cup in Moscow by overcoming Korea’s Oh Sang Eun at the semi-final stage of proceedings on the morning of Sunday 18th October 2009.

Attacking quickly, he demonstrated his ability in the art of service and a fast first attack, Chen Qi recorded a six games victory.

On his debut in the competition, despite the odd nervous moment as the contest reached its climax, the Chinese star who has enjoyed outstanding doubles success in his career, had reached the final.

 10/17/2009 LIEBHERR 2009 Men's World Cup

Korea’s Oh Sang Eun recovered from a two games to nil deficit to beat Kalinikos Kreanga of Greece at the quarter-final stage of proceedings at the Liebherr Men’s World Cup in Moscow on Saturday 17th October 2009.

Kalinikos Kreanga made a typically uninhibited start but after weathering the initial storm, Oh Sang Eun took control.

It is the first time in four appearances that Oh Sang Eun has reached the World Cup semi-finals.

 10/17/2009 LIEBHERR 2009 Men's World Cup

Twice the champion, Vladimir Samsonov reached the semi-finals of the Liebherr Men’s World Cup in Moscow by overcoming Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov at the quarter-final stage Saturday 17th October 2009.

Playing in his trademark fluent style, Vladimir Samsonov won in five games against the young German player who gave the eventual victor food for thought. It is the seventh time in his career, since he made his debut in the French city of Nîmes in 1996, that he has reached the penultimate stage of the competition.