Germany, S Korea major threats to Chinese men's team

CHANGCHUN, Northeast China, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Germany and South Korea are the major threats to the Chinese table tennis men's team at Beijing Olympic Games, said China's head coach Liu Guoliang here Thursday.

"Germany and South Korea are the strongest opponents of our team at the Olympics, especially at the men's singles," Liu said during the ITTF China Open.

The South Korean team is led by Ryu Seung Min, who won the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics by defeating China's Wang Hao at the last minute. German Timo Boll is also seen as a powerful opponent.

Speaking of the absence of German players at the China Open, Liu didn't agree that they are hiding the best players before the Olympics.

"I don't think they intended to hide their strength. They didn't come because they are playing league matches at home," he said.