Truls Moregard vs Dimitrij Ovtcharov | MS R64 | #EuropeSmash 2026

It's overwhelmingly in favor of Ovtcharov. Congratulations in table tennis. While Germany's got quite a rich history, I think Sweden even richer. That went close, not for Dima's sake though. That's a great question. I think they're not mutually exclusive. I think for him, pressure, I think he puts more pressure on himself than anyone else and it works for him. You saw those results in his deep performances where it grand smashes. He knows how to play when it counts. He's so articulate. He's so present. That was one of the quickest forehands we've seen this week, I think. Against a serve that's iconic, the backhand serve from Dima dangles the game. Think like Truls, good luck. Don't get me wrong, you'll have much better percentages winning in the sport. Yeah, he emotes. He wears his heart on his sleeve and he lets it out and he plays well. Side of the table after Dima makes the last contact. The game has evolved into Wells 2018. He was world number one eight years ago with the new ranking system. As we see Lars Hillshire there, former player now coach for the German team quickly. But a flick low enough, spinny enough to keep it uncomfortable. Simple two players that have played the Chinese Super League, which is currently not allowed for non-training outsiders and the outsiders are starting to get a lot of good results against you. Things need to change. It's an unusual service. Wow, this is. Nine points apiece here in the first. 0.1 on receive for Ovtcharov earns himself the game point here. Can he take this opener? Five straight points and showing the versatility in the back. It doesn't normally look so evil. But I don't think he'll mind that too much. He takes the opener 119. Six straight points to finish from 3-3. He went down 3-6. Was trailing maybe even 3-7. Nogich junior then. So it's a great start for Ovtcharov continuing that momentum from the opener. What's going on here for Morrigard? Well, I think in general, pros live a very, very unusual life. Crazy. And Dima has won eight of the last eight points. Speaking of crazy. Ah, that's a way to break that stack. Stiga ever took. Still a very uncomfortable ball for the other side. Seed game for one, but two a bit more surprise. But Trulsa's standards are higher than anybody's for chop blocks. Anton Shelberg. There was a pretty big grudge match there. Wow, what a counter from the middle. A taller player like Dima would normally use the backhand to cover the elbow because it's just more efficient. Doesn't cost you as much time or positioning, but watch what Dima does here. Short stroke, little chicken wang. Ain't no thang. This is crazy. I think we have to take a moment to acknowledge that in a best of five, the defending champion, the only champion in men's singles, the Europe's smash, Sweden, has ever had, is down 0-2, one game away from being eliminated. Predicted that's where the ball would go off that touch. Truls here, swashbuckling, wow. Tend to shine the light on the player winning. I think Dima has every reason to be motivated. The type of thing that would keep him up at night for years. Two match points in Norway at the end of 2024. In terms of motivation, you beat the top seed. You are the top seed in terms of the draw. You take over the best draw there is. Hypothetically, there's obviously some elements of random in it. What's the most uncomfortable shot for my opponent right now? 3-5 for Dima, more than twice the success of his opponent. Took a nice low trajectory. The idea is focus on what's in front of you. Before, not on the international stage. 64 to grand smash, to even be in the main draw, you have to be so good, pretty lucky. It won't be until he's either in the lead or he's crossed the line in this game. Rob is far from done. He's up 8-4 and then 8-8. It's Ovtcharov in straight games. The defending champion out in round one. Ovtcharov causing the biggest upset of the week. The Nordic Arena shell-shocked. Morrigan, no title back-to-back. The defense is over. It's crazy to me, because you have to imagine that whatever's going on inside Shules right now emotionally, he was still classy, gave a pat on the back.