(30 July 1996; Day 11)
It was a day of both disappointment and happiness for the German men's table tennis team.
Their first competition of the day pitted the German pair Steffen FETZNER and Joerg ROSSKOPF against Korea's LEE Chul-Seung and YOO Nam-Kyu in the men's doubles bronze medal game. LEE andYOO (KOR) seemed to be playing their best as they jumped out to a quick two-game lead over FETZNER and ROSSKOPF, the 1992 Olympic men's doubles silver medalists. The tide seemed to be turning the way of the Germans in the third game as the pair ran up a quick 04:01 lead. Though the Koreans fought back, FETZNER and ROSSKOPF held the lead. Their stronghold began to slip at the 17:15 point in the game, and the game was all Korea after that, as they seemed to find the confidence needed to come back and win the game and the bronze medal.
"In the first moments the loss is disappointing because we lost the medal," said FETZNER (GER). "But, we had a good tournament. In the end, we were the only Europeans left in the semifinals. In a few days we'll be okay with (our loss) and realize how well we did."
FETZNER said he believes the match slipped away from he and his partner in the third game. The Korean's held a 17:15 advantage and the Germans lost a long volley for the next point.
"It was very difficult to come back after that," said FETZNER. "That really gave the Koreans a lot of confidence."
On the horizon for the German pair is rest.
"We'll start in German league play in about 14 days," said FETZNER. "I think all the players deserve a rest. Not only have they played many games here, but they prepared a great deal beforehand. I want to do something for a few days that doesn't involve table tennis."
The Germans enjoyed better success in the men's singles quarterfinal round. In one of the most exciting, tense games of the tournament, ROSSKOPF defeated KIM Taek-Soo of (KOR) to advance to the medal round of the men's singles tournament. It was a struggle, as ROSSKOPF needed five games to put away the tough Korean. He lost the first game, only to fight back and win the second 26:24. ROSSKOPF then easily won the third game, but gave the fourth game away with numerous unforced errors. The fifth and deciding game of the match saw ROSSKOPF and KIM battle for each and every point scored. The two were tied a total of 10n times and were at match point six times. ROSSKOPF, who at times appeared to lose his confidence, narrowly escaped taking the next plane back home by winning 26:24.
"There were a lot of ups and downs in the match - especially in the fourth and fifth games," said ROSSKOPF. "I was very nervous in the end. I knew that this was my one chance to get into the semifinals. That opportunity may only come along once in a lifetime."
German men's coach Zlatko CORDAS said ROSSKOPF was playing "his game" tonight.
"When we got to the fifth or sixth match point in the fifth game - that was ROSSKOPF's game," said CORDAS. "He has to go way out to hit the ball or it's not his game. You have to let him take the responsibility out there."
ROSSKOPF admitted that he did lose his confidence at various times throughout the match.
"You can't always play on the highest level. Sometimes you do lose your concentration and your confidence," he said.
His coach said it is important for ROSSKOPF to see his support.
"When he looks back at me," he said, "he has to see that there is someone working harder than him for him. I was really encouraging him. I sometimes have to increase the mental pressure on ROSSKOPF and make him deal with it. If a player is going to give his life to table tennis, he'd better learn how to be a relentless fighter - that's part of being a professional."
CORDAS said as the match progressed, he noticed a change in KIM.
"When we started the match, KIM was very aggressive," said CORDAS. "But, as the game progressed, he got slower and slower. I don't know if he was tired or what."
ROSSKOPF said he has a great deal of respect for KIM.
"KIM is a very great player. I have a very good relationship with him so it's not easy to beat him like this," he said. "And, it's not easy for him to lose like this. But, that's the way it is with sports. Someone has to win and someone has to lose."
ROSSKOPF will face LIU Gouliang (CHN) in the semifinal round.
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Kim Chaudoin.
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