The Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) 2024 final is set for an intense showdown as Goa Challengers, led by Harmeet Desai, prepare to face Dabang Delhi at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Saturday. The match will determine the first team to claim a second UTT title, adding another layer of excitement to the already thrilling competition.
Goa’s journey to the final has been marked by resilience and the emergence of key players. In the semifinals, Harmeet Desai’s 3-0 victory against Jeet Chandra of Bengaluru Smashers sparked a wave of jubilation among the Goa Challengers, who embraced their skipper with fervent enthusiasm. The team’s defense of their 2023 title, and the opportunity to secure back-to-back wins, has undoubtedly fueled their determination.
Mihai Bobocica, a debutant in the UTT, has emerged as a crucial asset for Goa Challengers. His performance in the semifinals, where he handed Alvaro Robles his first defeat of the season, showcased his talent and composure. Bobocica’s impact extends beyond his individual victories; his presence has contributed to a positive team spirit that has been instrumental in their success. “We are feeling great, we are really grateful to be in the final. On paper, we weren’t, let’s say, the best team. But, with a system and great team spirit, we know it’s possible to win the title. We believed all the time. Things weren’t going all our way in the group stage but we managed. That gave us confidence,” Bobocica shared with Sportstar.
The finalists previously clashed in the group stage, with Dabang Delhi emerging victorious. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, Delhi’s skipper, secured a 2-1 win against Bobocica, a match that the Italian reflects on with mixed emotions. “I was leading in the match, and even in the second game. If I’d won that, then I would have gotten more confidence going into the third game. And that would have, maybe, lowered Sathiyan’s confidence going into the mixed doubles, in which he played really well,” said the two-time Olympian. Bobocica acknowledges the crucial turning point in the match, stating, “My second game in the match against him was the turning point. They were coming after two losses. If I’d won the second game, then they (Delhi) probably wouldn’t have reached here.”
Bobocica’s first season in India has been a rollercoaster of experiences. After a successful debut against Jaipur Patriots’ Ronit Bhanja, he faced a series of close defeats. However, he rebounded with a win against U Mumba’s Mannav Thakkar and ultimately delivered a crucial victory in the semifinals. Looking ahead to the final, Bobocica highlights the importance of capitalizing on golden point opportunities. “We just have to be better in those couple of points, compared to our last meeting. There’s a really small margin between the two teams, I feel,” he concludes. The final promises to be a thrilling clash between two determined teams. The outcome will not only crown a champion but also solidify the team’s legacy in the Ultimate Table Tennis league.
