Timo on Sunday!

I’m going to sit down for this. The quarter final, Timo Boll playing Chen Qi. Thousands of table tennis enthusiasts in the stands. The audience rises and welcomes the matadors with a warm round of applause. Timo is dressed in a nice black outfit. On the collar a red/yellow stripe. The top of the shirt has a white band along the top with a nicely coloured shoulder. Orange! That can’t be coincidence. The players are presented. When the name Boll is announced, the fans cheer. The umpire throws the ball to Timo. Two minutes’ knock-up time. “Ich bin wie Du” is being cast into the air. Nice, but soon becomes boring. The audience are charmed by a nicely humming tune.  The first point is for Timo. Is the audience already in ecstasy now? That looks promising! When Qi finally wins a rally the supporters of  the Chinese, playing in violet, cannot even compare to us. Us? Yes, because I‘m for Timo. The match moves forward on an equal basis. Boll starts to get into the swing of it and races ahead. ´Jetzt geht´s los! Jetzt geht´s los!” In the press stand I have to hold back not to follow the cheering of my fellow-countrymen. And that of the Germans. Timo focuses on the ball. The celluloid goes up into the air. A fantastic first ball, followed by a devastating smash. He clenches his fist at the public. Excellent marketing.Time Out for China. A song by Jantje Smit, a true Dutchman, is played in German. Boll grabs his towel, dabs his forehead dry and exchanges a few words with his coach. He returns to the table. Qi walks slowly back to the table. Boll shakes his legs loose, utmost concentration, eye for the ball. The buzz in the hall quietens. Timo scores and is through to the semi-final. Ahoy explodes. Boll raises his fist into the air several times. He seems to want to say to the audience: “We’ve done it together.” His legion finds it only too great. I do, too. Timo am Sonntag! He enjoys the walk to the revolving cameras. With his almost anti-hero, modest smile he thanks the fans. His twinkling eyes speak the language of the winner. Glad to be there. I wonder whether he’s also wondering: will ‘we’  become World Champion?**