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BEIJING : European powerhouse Germany marched past Japan 3-2 and into the final of the men's Olympic table tennis team event on Saturday, where they will meet either China or South Korea.
Germany's rising star Dimitrij Ovtcharov edged Kan Yo before veteran Timo Boll downed Japan's teen prodigy Jun Mizutani.
Jun, teamed with Seiya Kishikawa, hit back by beating Christian Suss and Ovtcharov in the doubles, setting up a thrilling finale.
Former Chinese paddler Kan Yo levelled the match by beating Suss in a tense five-setter before Boll returned to the table to edge past Kishikawa.
"It is a great pity that we lost the match. We've tried our best, but the German team played even better," said Mizutani.
"I played very bad today, I don't know why," he added.
Boll threw himself to the ground and was on the verge of tears after the decisive victory.
"It was a hard-fought match in which all paddlers played to their utmost and were exhausted. I am glad that we won," he said.
The men's team final will be held Monday following the women's final on Sunday, which features China and Singapore. - AFP/ms
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