Gilles Michely wants to kick Dt Howald in the « penalty shootout »

“It was surprising how clearly we lost in Howald. Usually that's a 50:50 thing, but on this day we were just not in a good mood, ”Gilles Michely analyzes Linger's 2: 6 first leg defeat in the play-off quarter-finals at the DT Howald. « Unfortunately we couldn't choose any of the tight games, so it was ultimately deserved at this height. »

The 35-year-old clearly lost his two single games against Wang Xu (0: 3) and Benjamin Rogiers (1: 3) and does not save with self-criticism. « I am in position one with us and it is my job that I do not negatively influence my teammates through my body language, » Michely, however, is optimistic, after the second leg on Sunday (3 p.m.) in the home hall, to move into the semi -finals of the Audi League against Berburg. And there are several reasons for that.

One of them is Michely himself. Because the man who played for the DT Dudelingen two years ago performed well throughout the season. The athlete, who only acted in the front couple cross, has a positive balance despite the strong competition in this field. « I think Maël van desel and I are the only two Luxembourgers who only played the top. It is always difficult against the one, these are only professionals. Overall, I can be satisfied with my performance and I think I have reached my level four or five years ago. Unfortunately, a positive balance does not use me if I lose my games in the knockout round. ”

Other reasons that speak from Michely's perspective for a successful revenge is the fact that it is « almost impossible to stay below your possibilities twice in a row ». The audience should also make their contribution. “It is not like in the Santiago Bernabéu von Madrid that 100,000 spectators come. But when we crack the hundred brand and encourage fans with the right body language and performance, then it will be a real cauldron with us. ” Furthermore, your own hall brings another advantage over the Wowald venue. “That shouldn't be an excuse now, but the hall in Howald is very quick in contrast to ours. We just don't like that, ”explains the number one from Linger.

Lottery on the plate

It is also in good shape that the young international Aaron Sahr, who was able to score with two wins in singles as the only player in Howald, is in good shape. “As a national player, Aaron trains more and more intensively than before. You can tell that he is slowly growing up. In October and November he was in a small hole, but since the beginning of the play-off qualification round he has been performing consistently well. ”

« We are hot for the second leg! We go fresh to this duel and know what we are able for. We have often achieved extremely good results this season, ”Sahr is convinced from the move into the next round after a good preparation. There is a factor for which nobody can prepare properly, but it should nevertheless become Linger's trump had – namely the Golden Match.

“Last year we lost the golden match against Howald, but it was a real thrill and was fun. This is a great thing, especially for the neutral spectators. In addition, you only have to win one game as an underdog and are automatically in the golden match, ”Michely says the mode and continues. “Unfortunately, you can hardly prepare for it because everything can be set up free and new. Of course we think of a constellation, but the form of the day can throw everything over the heap again. The golden match is a real lottery, it is like a penalty shootout in football. You have to be lucky on your side, ”Michely is convinced that this time the pendulum in favor of Linger.

« We completed the play-off qualification round in fourth place, » recalls Michely. « And I also see ourselves there in terms of performance, » the logical consequence would be a place in the semi -finals.