Champions League Women | 21 Jan 2016
ECLW 1/4 leg no. 2: All host teams in the nice position
Photo: Courtesy Linz AG Froschberg
This Friday three out of four quarter-final returning matches will be held.
All four host clubs will start with an advantage in the returning leg of the 2015/16 ECLW quarter-finals, which will be held this Friday and next Tuesday: Zamek Tarnobrzeg – Fenerbahce (Jan 22, 17:00, 1st match 3:1), Cartagena – Saint-Quentin(Jan 22, 18:00, 1st match 3:2), Metz TT – Linz (Jan 22, 19:30, 1st match 3:2), Berlin Eastside - STROCK (Jan 26, 18:00, 1st match 3:1).
January has been exciting month so far for Berlin, as they won German Cup and celebrated three birthdays in last two weeks (Georgina POTA, SHAN Xiaona and Coach Irina PALINA). But, the final mark could be given only after the returning leg against STROCK. It will be a reprise of the 2011/12 ECLW final when German side won its first out of two crowns.
Double ECLW champion Linz is faced with a huge challenge after 3:2 home loss against actual ETTU Cup runner-up Metz TT. Seems like only LIU Jia can be satisfied in Austrian side after the 1st leg, winning both her games.
“Although we lost at home, everything is possible in the second leg. Regarding my play, I fulfilled my promise winning two matches”, stated the 2005 individual European champion LIU Jia speaking for the Metz website.
Metz Coach Loic BELGUISE stressed that his team passed just half of the road:
“We could win 3:0 and I hope that we will not regret for it.”
The 2009 individual ECH gold medalist WU Jiaduo put blame on herself because she missed a good chance to beat LIU Jia in the opener, while Carole GRUNDISCH is satisfied with her win against Camelia POSTOACA:
“We are not qualified yet. It`s still 50/50 %, hence we need to complete the job at home.”
Zamek finally has a huge chance to eliminate a defending champion Fenerbahce who beat them last three seasons in a row. Coach of the best Polishclub Zbignew NECEK said for the club`s website:
“HAN Ying did a nice job for us making two points in the first leg. Congratulations to her, but also to Natalia (PARTYKA)”.
The 2015/16 ECLW quarter-finals, 2nd leg
KTS Spar-Zamek Tarnobrzeg – Fenerbahce Sport Club (Jan 22, 17:00, 1st match 3:1)
UCAM Cartagena – TT Saint-Quentin (Jan 22, 18:00, 1st match 3:2)
Metz TT – Linz AG Froschberg (Jan 22, 19:30, 1st match 3:2)
TTC Berlin Eastside - SVNO STROCK (Jan 26, 18:00, 1st match 3:1)
