the plastic ball, which cannot be given as much spin, Boll relies more on his counter-topspin technique from both the backhand and forehand side. A good example of him employing this technique is his match against Fan Zhendong at the Austrian Open in 2019, in which he reached the deciding set against the 16 years younger World No. 1. This technique allows him to conserve energy but requires very good anticipation and reading of the opponent. Club history Timo Boll has played for TSV Höchst (1986 to 1994), FTG Frankfurt (1994 to 1995) and for TTV Gönnern (1995 to 2007). On 1 July 2007, his three-year contract began with Borussia Düsseldorf. Personal life Timo Boll married his long-time girlfriend, Rodelia Jacobi, on 31 December 2002. They have a daughter, Zoey Malaya, born 4 December 2013. Sponsorships Boll has been sponsored by Butterfly table tennis since 1993. In May 2007 Boll extended his sponsorship until 2015 and is still playing Butterfly to this day. He has gone on to say that he is most satisfied with the agreement. Boll has his own racquet series with the company. Awards 1997 Table Tennis Junior Player of the Year 1998 German Table Tennis player of the Year 2005 Bambi Sport 2005 German Sportspersonality of the year – 3rd position 2006 Sportsman of the Year in Hessen 2007 Fair-Play-Award of Minister (Secretary) of the Interior Home Secretary 2007 German Sportsmen of the Year 2nd position 2008 Sportsman of the Year in Hessen 2010 Sportsman of the Year in Hessen 2010 German Sportspersonality of the year – 2nd position 2017 ITTF Male Table Tennis Star Titles World Cup 2002 and 2005, silver 2008, 2012, 2017 and 2018, bronze 2010 and 2014 Single European Champion 2002, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018 and 2021 Team European Champion 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2017 and 2019 Europe Top-16 2002, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2018 and 2020 European Super Cup 2007, 2008 and 2009 ITTF World Tour/Pro Tour (19) and Grand Finals (1): Brasil 2001, Austria 2002, Japan 2003, Poland, Germany and Austria 2004, Japan, Sweden and Grand Finals 2005, China, Germany and Poland 2006, Austria, Germany and Poland 2008, Qatar, Germany, and Poland 2009, Japan 2010, Korea 2017. Double: European Championship 2002 (together with Zoltan Fejer-Konnerth), 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 (together with Christian Süß), Japan Open 2005, Pro Tour Grand Final 2005, 2009 (together with Christian Süß)