With this victory, the 26 year-old and world number-six finally outshone his teammate and six-time European Champion Timo Boll, who had to withdraw from the event due to injury.

"I was ready for Samsonov since he has always played very well against me," said Ovtcharov.

"However, I think today he was a little bit tired after the semi final.

"It has been a long tournament for both of us.

"I played much more aggressively and it proved to be a good tactic."

"I had good preparations in China this summer.

"Playing in their Chinese Super League gave me more self-confidence."

Li ended Sweden's gold medal drought, beating Germany's Xiaona Shan 4-2 in an absorbing final to clinch her first European title.

Fen Li lifts Swedish spirits with her maiden European Championship title

"It was good to play in front of "my" supporters," said LI who also plays for Austrian team SVS Strock.

"It gave me extra power.

"I never believed I could win the Championships.

"It is first time that I am at European Championships and this is like dream come true."

Local Austrian pair, and crowd favourites, Robert Gardos and Daniel Habesohn were beaten 4-1 by Poland's Ruiwu Tan, Croatia and Zeng Yi Wang in the final of the men's doubles.

The women's doubles final proved to be an all German affair with Petrissa Solja and Sabine Winter beating Zhenqi Barthel and Xiaona Shan 4-2, despite losing the first two sets.

"We know each other very well," commented Solja.

"It was a hard match, but even after they had an advantage I was not scared as it had happened before.

"At the German national Championships they had even bigger advantage, but we eventually won the title. Sabine told me to fight and I listened."

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