Timo Boll Extends Butterfly Agreement to 2015
May 22, 2007

Timo Boll delighted to continue the agreement Photo By: Stephan Roscher

Courtesy of ITTF Announced at the Liebherr World Championships in Zagreb on Tuesday May 22, 2007; Germany’s Timo Boll, currently ranked number three on the ITTF Men’s World Rankings, has renewed his agreement with Butterfly until 2015. Boll first signed with Butterfly fourteen years ago and is currently in a rich vein of form. He won three titles at the recent Liebherr European Championships in Belgrade, and is the man on whom eyes are focused in Zagreb at the Liebherr World Championships. He is widely regarded as the main threat to the all-conquering Chinese.

“The Butterfly company has always been my sponsor since I was a cadet and I have always been most satisfied with the agreement, we have a great deal of trust in each other”, said Timo Boll. “That’s why I’m very happy to continue the agreement.”

The German star was most positive being well aware that the Butterfly company is continually developing new products in all spheres of table tennis.

New Chapter
Winner of the Men’s World Cup in both 2002 and 2005, a new chapter in the career of Timo Boll is about to start as he moves from TTV Gönnern to represent Borussia Düsseldorf in the German Bundesliga, the club that has won more Bundesliga titles more than any other and is also supported by Butterfly.

The twenty-six year old German is ready for the challenge and has total faith in his sponsor. “I know that I have top quality equipment as a result of Butterfly’s technology and know-how”, continued Timo Boll. “This is absolutely essential for me to play at world level, it really helps my confidence.”

Sponsor Pleased
Timo Boll was clearly delighted with the agreement as were his sponsors, the Tamasu Co. Ltd based in Tokyo.

“It is a great honor that we have been able to extend the agreement with the reigning German champion, we are very proud that we can continue to sponsor such a high level athlete”, said a delighted Shunsaku Yamada, the President of Butterfly. “Timo Boll has already achieved a great deal in his wonderful career and he is a strong contender for honors at any international tournament; especially, we look forward to seeing him in action at the Olympic Games in Beijing.”

Role Model
Boll is the perfect role model; he is a true sportsman and never seeks an unfair advantage, a fact that was illustrated most clearly in his titanic match with Liu Guozheng at the Volkswagen 48th World Championships in Shanghai in 2005.

At a crucial stage of the seventh game Timo Boll advised the umpire that the ball had touched the edge of the table and that the point belonged to his adversary. In recognition of his sportsmanship, Boll was awarded the Fair Play Trophy by the Swaythling Club International.

Glue
The German star has many years ahead and after the Olympic Games will have to adapt to the new regulations regarding speed glue; a fact of which the Butterfly Company is well aware as they develop products to meet the new regulations.

Daily Contact
Day to day contact with Timo Boll is through Tamasu Butterfly Europe (TBE), a subsidiary of the Tamasu Co., Ltd., being located in Moers, a city in the Lower Rhine area in Germany.

“Timo Boll is not only one of the best players in Europe, he is one of the best players in the world”, said Hideyuki Kamizuru. “He can compete against the best and he can win against the best; it is a real pleasure to work with him; together we can contribute to the further advancement of our sport in both Europe and the World.”

Timo Boll and Butterfly are both clearly delighted with the understanding that has been formed; it is one that has worked for fourteen years and it one that is set work for the foreseeable future; Timo Boll and Butterfly a partnership clearly in total harmony.