The star-studded Chinese men's team whitewashed South Korea 3-0 to storm into table tennis team final at the Beijing Olympic Games Saturday while Germany also edged Japan to march into the final.

The all-conquering trio of Ma Lin, Wang Hao, Wang Liqin eased past underdog South Korea 3-2, 3-1, 3-0 in straight sets in less than two hours.

Four-time World Cup winner Ma Lin was made to sweat in his clash with 15th-ranked OH Sang Eun who fought hammer and tongs to lead the match but was denied 2-3 (8-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-13, 5-11).

On the heels of Ma's advantage, world number one Wang Hao, 24, displayed unusual sangfroid to demolish reigning Olympic champion Ryu Seung-min 3-1 with Wang's every winning shot bringing cheers from frenzied home crowd.

Four years ago in Athens, Ryu Seung-min beat the then rising star Wang Hao in the final to clinch the most coveted singles title, a pity that China smarted over time and again.

Wang Liqin/Wang Hao blanketed Yoon Jae Young/OH Sang Eun 3-0 in the tiebreaker before locking China's 3-0 victory.

"I have prepared well for the difficultities that may crop up in the tournament. I never lost to Ryu since the Athens Games and was confident of wining the game," Wang Hao said.

"I managed to hold my nerves and control the competition rhythem while confronting Ryu and paired well with Wang Liqin in the tiebreaker," he added.

"I play better as the tournament wents on. Compared with the singles event, I was under greater pressure during the team event. Today, I did not bring out my best and I accept to result," Ryu said.

As to Germany, Wang Liqin said that German squad is strong in over-all capability and China need to prepare well for the showdown.

"No matter how tough the battle will be, I believe that China will prevail," a determined Wang said.

Earlier on Saturday, European powerhouse Germany stormed over Japan 3-2 in a prolonged showdown to book a place in the men's table tennis team final.

The 210-minute clash was proved to be a tit-for-tat confrontation with players in both sides fight to their maximum ability to lead the match.

Being tied 2-all on set, Timo Boll returned to the tables to fight off an overcharged Seiga Kishikawa and clinch the match 3-2.

"It is a great pity that we lost the match. We've tried our best, but German team played even better. Compared with German players, we are not mature enough, which resulted in our loss," Jun Mizutani said.

"It is a hard-fought match in which all paddlers played to their utmost and were exhausted. I am glad that we won," Boll said.

"It was amazing to play here. I've played 100 percent, and it was one of the best matches I've played in my life", said Dimitrij Ovtcharov, who is on his maiden Olympic trip.

The 20-year-old German sensation stunned the world by beating world No. 4 Wang Liqin and compatriot Boll at the ITTF ProTour in South Korea two months ago.

"To reach the final is the biggest thing we can do now. Since Chinese players are under pressure, we'll try out best to win despite the slim chance," he said.

China will face Germany in the team final slated for Monday.

South Korea will take on Hong Kong, China while Japan will meet Austria Sunday on their way to scramble for the bronze medal.

The table tennis tournament, held in the 8,000-seat stadium in Peking University, is scheduled to last 11 days starting from August 13.

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2008)