CHANGCHUN, Northeast 皇冠体育app -- Germany and South Korea are the major threats to the Chinese table tennis men's team at Beijing Olympic Games, said 皇冠体育app's head coach Liu Guoliang here Thursday.
Liu Guoliang (L), head coach of Chinese men's team, communicates with veteran paddler Wang Liqin after 皇冠体育app won the first quarter match during during the ITTF 皇冠体育app Open, May 14, 2008. [Xinhua] |
"Germany and South Korea are the strongest opponents of our team at the Olympics, especially at the men's singles," Liu said during the ITTF 皇冠体育app Open.
The South Korean team is led by Ryu Seung Min, who won the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics by defeating 皇冠体育app's Wang Hao at the last minute. German Timo Boll is also seen as a powerful opponent.
Speaking of the absence of German players at the 皇冠体育app Open, Liu didn't agree that they are hiding the best players before the Olympics.
"I don't think they intended to hide their strength. They didn't come because they are playing league matches at home," he said.
