Dimitrij Ovtcharov: Germany's Duty Is To Get A Team's Medal In London 2012

In a press conference, the Olympic German team made up by Timo Boll, Dimitrij Ovtcharov, Bastian Steger, Patrick Baum and coaches Jorg Rosskopf and Zhu Xiaoyong, talked about their goals and expectations for the Olympics. However, Bastian Steger didn't take part of the conference because he suffered a tigh injury.

Jorg Rosskopf about goals in London: "We are the fourth seed as a team, and through Timo and Dima we are between the fifth and the eighth seed. But no one has a secured medal due to his seed. There are enough examples of very good players who haven't won a Olympic medal."

"We have two players who can win a medal. It's important to have a clear goal. We must concentrate on playing well. The team can lead under a lot of pressure, it was shown at the World Team Championships. My players are well prepared. I am optimistic because we have done everything to be able to suceed in London." said Rosskopf.

Timo Boll has already talked about the team preparation many times but now he was asked about China's preparartion: "I haven't watched Chinese matches on Internet but I heard that the A-team won. We cannot make the mistake of focusing on the Chinese team only. First, we must be just concentrated on the first round. "

Boll about the change in the schedule event:  "After we won the silver medal in the team event in Beijing, it was hard to control our excitement. Now it will be difficult because we will have a cold start in the singles event."

The German star also talked about his shape: "I couldn't train completely before the previous Olympics as I did now before London. I also could train well before the World Team Championships, so I haven't had problems so far. My body is good and I hope that it continues to be that way."

Boll about his free time: "I talk with other athletes and stay at the table after eating. It's also important to do something different. People who know me know that I will have many technical devices for that. 

Dimitrij Ovtcharov about his chances of a singles medal: "There are chances for a medal. The competition isn't as strong as in a World Championship. I am between the fifth and the eight place in the seeding list and I have beaten all the players who are before me: Zhang Jike, Wang Hao, Timo and Mizutani. I also have lost several times against them but I've played very well lately. I won three titles with my club, I played well in  Dortmund and won the Top-12. I'm well prepared but everything depends on how you are that day, on little things which have an impact in your performance. I'm fine that I have done everything to have a successful Olympics."

Ovtcharov compared these Olympics with his first ones: "Excitement was big in Beijing and it was difficult to control and stay calm after winning the silver medal with the team. This time pressure will be different. It´s almost a duty to win a medal in the team event. 

Ovtcharov about the coffee machine that he will take with him to London: "We had good experiences with the coffee machine in Beijing. We decided to take it with us again because we can drink  fresh coffee in the mornings. The Olympic village isn't like a hotel. Shops are very far from everything and there are long queues for good coffee."

Ovtcharov about free time during the competition: "I am a big movie and TV series fan, and I will take some of them with me. I like watching action movies but also sitcoms. Now I watch the TV series "Entourage" because I have fun watching it."

Patrick Baum about his role as subtitute player: "I have been a subtitute player in other occasions, in European and world championships, for example. I know about this role. If something happens I will be there ready to help.

Photo and info. source: tischtennis.de