2004 WTTTC: Ma Lin - Werner Schlager (full match|short form)

[@mth_pictures]

mental vs mental, brain vs brain. strategie vs strategie , placement vs placement and spin vs spin... nice match. i love it.

[@yyyy1046]

We can clearly see the difference of game style between the small celluloid ball and modern plastic ball: the players were more seeking for rotation and table position than strength. As a clear example, the percentage of winning with highly rotated topspin was extremely high.

[@edmondtt]

I have a strong feeling that it is a chess game between two masters. Without many long rallies. But still, or even more of an intense game.

[@PraisePrayPeace]

Schlager is not just an amazing table tennis player, but he is also a really wonderful person. I love this guy, full of charm.

[@arildbrkke3918]

Strong win by Schlager, mentally robust and focused. Played smart, with extreme topspin and tempo variation.

[@KYchiu402]

Thanks for editing the movie, with nice short replay

[@CTJM]

Apart from serves and his backhand, Schlager's technique is far from perfect in the ranks of the top players. But he has the mind of a chess player, and the stuff he comes up with at the table is pure genius.

[@GhOnAu]

to play such a strategic game you need high level of skill and quality technique if you have a close look at his forehand shots you might see how much spin he puts on the ball that Ma Lin cannot counter it

[@mjtsirhc]

+Gholamreza Fathpour you're right. sorry, was referring more to his footwork. schlagers footwork isn't on par with the Asian players, but his game strategy is always smart.

[@nofrigginidea3728]

wrong, schlager generates enormous spin , his forehand is insane. he had a knee injury tho , couldn't move properly

[@arildbrkke3918]

Schlager plays his game, good variation, with moderate fast to slow loops with heavy spin, both from bh and fh, great serves and returns. The more quicker player Ma Lin got a hard time controlling the heavy spin and tempo variation.

[@mortuc1]

I wouldnt exclude his Servers from that necessarily tho. His fh pendulum Server doenst look that good to me either tbh. U kinda wanna get a whipping motion with ur hand instead of a big one with ur arm. It generates way more spin and speed. From looking at it He Puts his arm up way to early which makes him have to pause and wait for the ball to come down

[@RaceOptimalVids]

Schlager has nerves of steel!

[@GammaRayBurst417]

every point played by these two legends was breath taking

[@BOMBER_GBF_DBL_SUK_FBI]

Schlager is my alltime favourite player, because of his variations, his braveness to perform his ideas directly. You could see, how he analyzes the play of his opponent. Great!

[@x2h3]

Schlager doesn't have the best technique but his experience and strategy makes up for it. At the end of the day, this sport has a lot to do with psychology, and this is just one of those great examples. Thanks for the video!

[@davidnorman4449]

He has one of the best techniques ? Look at his services ?

[@mindrover777]

​@@davidnorman4449 his service was the best in 2003 wttc. Even the best and experienced players were bamboozled by his serves.

[@dickn.ormous1064]

@@davidnorman4449 His serves didn't have to do that much with technique,his wrist was just too strong and could impact spin with very complicated follow through,the Chinese analysed his technique and came to the conclusion they just couldn't replicate it.

[@ebdancer2010]

Service schaler very hard.

[@Alex_Averin_TT]

Wow dude you really outdid yourself with the quality. Looks like a match from last year rather than 9 years ago. Keep up the good work!!

[@andreialexandruparfeni7129]

Actually, it's much better than the quality in the recent years...

[@johnwang3785]

When you realise schlager is the last non Chinese world champion...

[@mikeshinoda6108]

Schlager, schlager... No words, he won it with his play style

[@kenchihimura]

Thanks for editing this and putting it up. Classic match between excellent servers.

[@petrusincraian198]

Excellent video, I love the replays; in this way I can learn something.The game was wonderful. Thank you.

[@leemorgan90]

Thanks - great match showcasing both players at there best.

[@donluna2000]

What a struggle this game was. Very very technical. Very few power rallies. Schlager and Ma have such high table tennis IQ.

[@Cronsenbeatz]

one of my favorite matches, now i can enjoy in better quality, good work - thanks :)

[@rcmontecalvo]

I love Schlager's style.

[@Unbekannt378]

Werner Schlager shared this on Facebook !

[@brahms008]

2004 : 2 best servers of the pro circuit !

[@bhaskarpaul7652]

Schlgi and waldner this two players are all time greatest 🤘🤘🤘

[@Diuable]

probably one of my favorite matches, both play a "serve and finish (3rd ball or 5th ball)" type of game

[@Haiman9]

Very very good match

[@adamant8435]

Two of the best servers in the world. I love hos most points are won directly off the serve or third ball

[@saleem2991]

Schlager's forehand spin is insane. Even Ma Lin struggles to return it. Wow.

[@Zach-s5g]

It's because of the old ball, but mostly it's because of his long forehand stroke. I've observed most top euro players forehand lacks speed or power, maybe it's because of their stroke which is short

[@mindrover777]

​@@Zach-s5g he used to put a lot of spin into it.

[@Zach-s5g]

@@mindrover777 yes. There's a lot of spin. All of it was generated because of his stroke

[@dickn.ormous1064]

Ma Lin wasn't particularly good in defence.

[@giorgione96]

Love the replays!

[@electro6290jp]

two best servers of all time

[@konichiwa4339]

お互いサーブがうますぎる

[@arielpefaur1136]

Best quality that 2020

[@-danR]

10:13 ML: _"YES!"_ uh huh... wait, _what?!_

[@-danR]

hmmm. I must have mis-timed whatever i was looking at.

[@-danR]

No, I didn't mis-time anything. I now realize ML hollered in _English._

[@srsav3kkknosk1llsen]

@@-danR lol i like that delayed self discussion. :D YES

[@Samadhi_sansara]

Wow! Schlager is good!

[@ck-wg2hm]

maybe for a not so expirienced audience not so interessant, bacause of nearly no ralleys, but this is so much on details, soft hands, technic and tactic, for me its a very hot match !

[@scheffee0801]

The only match China lost at this tournament... Schlager played awesome!

[@thecatmeows1625]

Damn... Ma Lin had 3 game points in the 2nd game and one in the 3rd and won neither. He almost blew a 10-6 lead in the 4th game (finished 11-9). 3-0 (and 4-1) lead in the decisive set and he loses it 11-9. Also, 3 of the 4 sets he lost to Waldner in 2004 (1-4) were by 2 points. He also lost 11-9 in the 7th set to Joo se Hyuk in 2003.

[@dickn.ormous1064]

Doesn't matter that much 'cause no way Austria was going to beat China in a Team match.Hell,they couldn't even win the European Team Championship.Best of 5 versus best of 7 is different. Against Joo Se Hyuk it was different 'cause he lost their 2 previous encounters.He was known for being weak against choppers. If you suggest he was a chocker that's a myth cause his signature style was reversing matches like he did in 1999 against Waldner or 2005 against Korber,against Kreanga too.

[@PanchoGDMKWii]

Schlager was a genius in the psychology, Showing a lot of resilience behind his intimidated face that he usually showed on the matches, His comeback against Chiang Peng Lung in 2002 and Jean Phillipe Gatien in 2000 were the most incredible ones I have ever seen. ​@@dickn.ormous1064

[@z0uLess]

Ma Lin had such a beautiful play

[@puneetmahendra8917]

awesome clarity!!!!!!!!

[@Accusan]

The quality of recording is still better then in current world tour tournaments

[@yosuatanto]

Lovely quality! Thank you so much :) @Matthaus just unofficial support fan page..

[@nas13-w7m]

9:47 このカウンター、エゲツない…

[@robertpratorius537]

Super gemacht, Werner :-)

[@MrRothhaendle]

Keep in mind: Schlager was the only Player in WTTC 2004 to beat a Chinese Player. Every other match, even the final against Germany, was won 3-0.

[@ShamDiscTV5K]

Schlager won WTC 03 beating at least 2 chinese on his way. His best years

[@mindrover777]

​@@ShamDiscTV5K yes the peak of his career. Even the best chopper at the time( Joe hyuk ) was beatan with ease in the final.

[@aerotus888]

Still can't believe he beat Ma Lin. Crazy!!

[@johannesmergarten]

a serving master class till today

[@ponpoko132]

シュラガー懐かしいですね。みんなラケット使ってましたねー

[@philippvolker1364]

Unheimlich gut das Spiel…diese Angaben!

[@吉良吉影-p4i]

最終セットでもレシーブミスで点が取れる強さ。

[@ハシダ太郎丸]

ヴェルナー・シュラガーは春日さんみたいな面白さがあって好き

[@cathymeaw]

Man! I love you, Schlager.

[@andreialexandruparfeni7129]

Great shot at 6:14.

[@Kostak3]

12:52 Holy shit he is a god

[@luthfirizal7836]

He could’ve use fast serve to the left side of the table as ma lin stand too right (ma long does this too)

[@kioka2]

Ma lin has incredible footwork, it would be too risky

[@dickn.ormous1064]

​@@kioka2 Waldner did it though.

[@masterspin7796]

Fantastic game!

[@ShamDiscTV5K]

this was when Schlager could beat anyone

[@Spec2006]

Legend

[@nathanieljohncagas9763]

That Schlager move at the end with the fist pull down looks alot like Ma's move...or is it another way around...nice match!

[@和寿桜井-s8j]

シュラガー手首えぐすぎわろた

[@TheVampB]

I know I am a minority in this, but I would much rather watch masters like these trying to out maneuver each other than to have guys like Zhang Jike and Otcharove go full out. :)

[@MyNimbus2000]

I donno, if you enjoy rallyless table tennis, wouldn't you enjoy watching baseball more?

[@bozhang9568]

MyNimbus2000 Now, saying that I like "rallyless" table tennis is a bit presumptuous just from what I said, isn't it? I love good rallies as much as the next guy. But games between players like Zhang and Ovtcharov could get very repetitive, basically getting down to a competition of "who has the bigger backhand". Guys like Ma and Werner, on the other hand, almost have too much weapons in their arsenals and are just that much more unpredictable.

[@bozhang9568]

MyNimbus2000 Now, let me pose this equally baseless question to you, if you love rallies so much, wouldn't you be more of a badminton fan?

[@MyNimbus2000]

Bo Zhang Well, MaLin and Schlager don't have MORE weapons than ZJK or Dima. Both are rather poor rally player, neither have good footwork or continuity compared to other players at their level. Table tennis is a technique based sport. As long as spin is a big element in the game and table remain small, It is never going to reach a state where the game is too mindless and physical. So emphasize athleticism would only introduce more element into the game, making it more interesting. And between badminton and baseball, Yes I'd much rather watch badminton.

[@TheVampB]

MyNimbus2000 I can only say that I respectively disagree. Ma Lin uses touch-play, chop, block, side-spin block, damping block, short push, long push, drives, flicks and loops combined with drastically varied placements in most his matches regularly. I don't have the actual stats, but Zhang seems to use backhand flick to deal with most of in-table serves and tries to get into rallies as soon and as much as possible. It is a winning strategy for him and he would be stupid to do otherwise. Notice I didn't even mention the serve game. I have also heard it mentioned many times by commentators, coaches and players alike about Ma Lin's excellent footwork. Not once for Zhang. Zhang has very good coordination and leg strength for sure. And of course top-level footwork. I doubt if many people would say he has better footwork than Ma though. Neither Zhang nor Ma is known for "continuity", so I'll take your word for it. Ma Lin is known to have solid "continuous attack" ability but maybe Zhang is better. I agree with your other points. It is just that I have different preferences than you do.

[@hyultracolor]

This match is definitely not the usual entertaining matches, not much of beautiful shots but still can win.. Both are pro players however, Schlager aware of his own technique if head to head against Ma Lin play fast attack, will not win. Therefore, using very strategic tactic by slowing down the game and cut down long rallies, very deceptive serve a good example. Played against JSH and Kong, also the same. Many top players rarely thought to play this way to win.

[@phaikia13]

Conclusion, if you place european rubber, you NEED Schlager's forehand. Geezus.

[@jack7544]

Unbelievable!!

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

I'd say both players are equally matched.

[@eduarduhkuhuku9761]

Schlager defeated Ma Lin?

[@AndreiMateusMancillaHerrera19]

14:39 Liu Guoliang "oh shit..."

[@ali-alasady]

As if the game is calculated by numbers and the algorithm from the transmission until the end of the point

[@12aR9]

You gotta respect schlager for one thing at least when he attacks full power it's almost always last shot in the point

[@angkasial5365]

Schlager mantap gesekannya..

[@みきパラ]

シュラガー強！

[@SWIFTYINING]

おまけにカッコいいですね！

[@本山-z1h]

フットワーク凄いな。はやすぎる

[@เฉินหลง-ฑ4ม]

Exciting

[@gresco7122]

Good spin

[@cathymeaw]

I didn't know Schlager was that good

[@angelguevara7730]

He is the last non chinesse world champion

[@jonneville2287]

Many European players have the skills to match it with the top Chinese players, but their footwork lets them down. The European players are taller and carrying more weight on average than their Chinese counterparts, so their footwork needs to be even better in order to compete. That's why many European players are often better tacticians than the Chinese - they have to be in order to compete. (notice Ma Lin struggling with slower, spinnier balls). Waldner was never a great mover, but his supreme tactical play meant that quite often he didn't have to be. Schlager in the early 2000's was on fire. Great match.

[@dickn.ormous1064]

Waldner lived a died by his fh attack,he was a great mover.The likes of Gatien,Saive,Persson were are as fast as any Chinese player.Schlager was a bh dominant player which is not the case with Waldner. Schlager could use his bh loops against the Chinese but against steady tall players like Samsonov and Persson he had no advantage which is why he never won the European Championship.

[@ralfydox]

Ma lin avait peur ! Wahou

[@gixxersf2502]

孔令輝、王励勤、馬琳、中国の主力全員倒すってどゆこと‥ この頃のシュラガー強すぎんか

[@orionbeltVking]

When two master challage...someting going wrong...

[@ryanchiang9587]

zhiwen he, vladimir samsonov, yao, aleksander karakesavic,...etc.

[@ryanchiang9587]

zhang jike, ma long, timo boll, xu xin, chen qi, ma lin,...etc.

[@dotnetforever]

extremely tricky serves

[@cmcf6367]

both service grand masters… D: D: D: too strong services….

[@treeha9536]

厉害

[@janovewaldner1]

Schlager didn't deserve a world championship, Ma lin, Samsonov and Timo Boll deserved it more.

[@subhasischattopadhyay3157]

Glory without " Banana" flick and alternative " Reverse pendulum" serve. Those days were gone with magical glory of European spin and trick based winning strategies.

[@yaweli2968]

Schlager has zero backhand flip for the short drop balls.He pivots as much to flick with forehand on the backhand side or slice short with the BH.

[@dickn.ormous1064]

Ddn't help Wang Hao much in his matches against Ma Lin.The backhand flip doesn't work so well against pure underspin/no spin serves.Players like Schlager and Jorgen Persson did have a backhand flick,the shot was first developed by Klampar.

[@yaweli2968]

@@dickn.ormous1064 :Fan Zhendong proves the BH flip against underspin is effective. Schlager clearly didn’t have that as an arsenal.

[@dickn.ormous1064]

@@yaweli2968 Different materials.Fan Zhedong plays with polyball without speed glue.Ma Lin had the heaviest serves among the Chinese and was a spin/no spin third ball attack specialist. One of his best serves was parallel short to the forehand that totally negated the backhand flick.

[@ねこ-f1z8u]

世界卓球金メダリストVSオリンピック金メダリスト

[@jkhao6082]

可见赢马琳有多难。吊打马琳只有马龙。

[@danieldrahotta6863]

Wtf they screaming? Hoo? Nerdy Sport nerdy manners

[@宇城浩二]

MARIN is very strong table tennis player

[@kingpinuk1374]

Ma Lin lost this game? How? WTF !!!!.

[@lion-cn6ip]

치는건 어설퍼보이는데 ㅋㅋ

[@ewooll]

Short rallies and many air shots. Just an awful match. Two great players, so I don't know why.

[@TheNo1Grapefruit]

so true

[@gdounito]

it was a tactical game. The air shots happened beucase both of them tried to execute their tactic/shots as fast as possibly resulting in many errors

[@andreialexandruparfeni7129]

This is high level table tennis. If you look at the top Chinese players playing today (look at the whole match, not the highlights), you will see most rallies are like this.

[@ewooll]

It's high level play, but low level entertainment...

[@andreialexandruparfeni7129]

They play to win, not to entertain. Schlager was Austria's only hope to win, he had to do everything he could.

[@alexyang9531]

Werner Schlager plays like an amateur.

[@vantran-iw9ib]

IN THIS MATCH , SCHALGER LOST THE MATCH BECAUSE HE IS WRONG WITH THE STRATEGY. MALIN IS BAD AT BACKHAND.THEREFORE, WHEN YOU SERVE , YOU SHOULD CHANGE THE POSITION, STAND COMPLETELY TO YOUR RIGHT HAND . SERVE THE BALL QUICKLY . ...MALIN WILL EXPOSE THE WEAKNESS CLEARLY. ..FROM MR VAN. THE NEW CHAMPION OF MY TOWN 2021

[@goranmancevski5550]

very weak match.

[@ruipedro25]

what an ugly game, just serve receive and 3rd ball. what's to like about this?

[@joernsteinwachstt]

Exactly this! This is what table tennis is about.

[@nathanreeve2319]

Both players use deception, mad spin, and unusual shots. What's not to like?

[@charliexiong1787]

Poor match.

[@angelguevara7730]

Poor guy

[@AlisaNayska9]

Не интересная игра, в 2 хода,подачи не берут, никаких перестрелок. Бесячие навесные топсы шнягера, что справа что слева.