Europe Cup Women | 22 Apr 2024

Etival ASRTT Aims to Upset Reigning Champions KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg in Champions League Final

This season in the Champions League Women, Etival ASRTT has emerged as the dark horse by reaching the final, creating one of the top-rated upsets in the competition. The French club will now face the formidable reigning champions, KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg, with hopes of halting their mission to secure a third consecutive crown.

On their journey to the final, Etival ASRTT defeated Czechia’s SKST Plus Hodonin in the semis, Serbia’s TTC Novi Sad in the quarters, and topped their group by overcoming Austria’s Linz AG Froschberg and French ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly.

Jieni SHAO, Marie MIGOT, and Camelia IACOB have been the driving forces behind Etival ASRTT's European campaign this season.

“Hana wasn't playing this year due to the extremely busy schedule leading up to the Olympic Games. Despite missing MATELOVA, we managed to reach the final, which no one expected,” commented MIGOT.

The opening match is set for Tuesday in France.

“We have nothing to lose. We'll play without pressure. We need JIENI to perform at her usual level, and Cami and I will give our best,” added MIGOT.

KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg will be without their star player, HAN Ying.

“Certainly, that works in our favor, but even without HAN, they are an incredibly strong team with vast experience. They are a top club boasting world-class players. It's up to us to try to create an upset. With our home advantage and a packed venue, we'll have the supporters on our side,” noted MIGOT.

Marie promised a fierce fight, saying, “Camelia has lost only one match this season in the Champions League, I've defeated two very strong players, and Jieni has been consistently outstanding. We have our chances in the final, and we'll go for them. While a quick 0:3 defeat like last year is possible, we'll give our best to extend the match.”

MIGOT also expressed her preference for the Men's Champions League playing system, stating, “The Men's Champions League system with the Final Four format was much better than ours this year. It's a pity we didn't adopt the same format.”