UCAM Cartagena T.M. claimed an important 3–1 away victory in France, defeating Etival ASRTT in Stage 2 of the ETTU Champions League Women. Earlier in the group, Etival opened their campaign with a win against Novi Sad, but the Spanish side responded strongly in their second outing. Etival struck first thanks to a composed performance from Jieni SHAO, who handled the crucial points superbly and resisted Tin-Tin HO’s late push in the third and fourth games. UCAM Cartagena immediately answered. Maria XIAO took full control of the rallies, disrupting Liu YANGZI’s rhythm to level the score with a confident straight-games victory. The momentum shifted further when Daniela ORTEGA delivered a crucial third point for UCAM. Although Christina KÄLLBERG fought back to force a decider, ORTEGA regained her focus and sealed the match. XIAO returned to the table to close out the tie, securing her second win of the evening. Despite SHAO’s earlier triumph, the Spanish captain proved too strong in the rematch, completing a commanding performance in straight games and locking in the team victory. With this result, UCAM Cartagena leave France with a vital away win, significantly boosting their position in Group D as the Champions League campaign progresses. “I think all the matches were crucial. I played very well today, Tin Tin played the best she could, and Daniela did her job by winning the third match in the fifth game,” said Maria XIAO. Etival ASRTT – UCAM Cartagena T.M. 1–3
Round of 16: 1. FC Saarbrücken Edge Thriller, Borussia Düsseldorf Impress, Hennebont Prevail in Germany (VIDEO)
Reigning champions 1. FC Saarbrücken TT began their title defence on heated Polish soil with a hard-earned 3–2 victory over Dojlidy Białystok. The German side needed the full five matches to secure the opening-leg win in the ETTU Champions League Men Round of 16. The evening began with a dramatic five-game battle between CHOJNOWSKI and JORGIC. The Polish player struck first, taking the opener and later the decider despite JORGIC holding a 4–2 lead in the final game. “It was a narrow victory, but nothing is decided yet, it’s only 1–0 for us. They played really well. CHOJNOWSKI started the first match against me very strongly. I had a 4–2 lead in the fifth game. When you play up to six, the pressure is huge and every point matters. In the end, I played to passively, he played well, and he deserved to win that match,” said Darko JORGIC. Patrick FRANZISKA quickly restored balance for Saarbrücken with a straight-games win over CHODORSKI, before Yuto MURAMATSU produced a flawless performance at position three, overpowering MICHALSKI to give the German side a 2–1 advantage. “In the second match, Patrick played excellently. He brought stability back to the team, and I don’t think CHODORSKI had many chances. Then YUTO played fantastic in the third position. After a slower start, he was really strong afterwards and gave us the lead,” added JORGIC. The drama returned in the fourth match. FRANZISKA looked firmly in control at 2–0 and 9–4, but CHOJNOWSKI launched a remarkable comeback, winning three consecutive games to level the tie at 2–2. “Patrick started very well again, leading 2–0 and 9–4. That’s when CHOJNOWSKI became extremely aggressive and didn’t miss anymore. When you lose a game like that, it’s normal to tighten up a bit. He kept playing well, and although Patrick fought to the end, unfortunately he couldn’t finish it,” JORGIC reflected. With everything on the line, the deciding match produced a fitting finale. JORGIC came out firing, dominated the first game, dropped a tight second, and then rediscovered his trademark precision and aggression to secure the victory for Saarbrücken. “At 2–2 everything was possible. I started the first set really well, and the second too, but I lost it at the end. In the third and fourth, I was the real Darko again — aggressive from start to finish. That brought Saarbrücken back into the match and gave us a 1–0 lead after the first leg.” The tie now moves to Germany on 19 December, with Saarbrücken holding a narrow advantage but fully aware of the task ahead. “The second leg is on December 19th. Nothing is over. We start from zero again. The crowd was fantastic, cheering so loudly. I really have nothing more to say except that I’m happy we won the first match and that we look positively toward the second one,” concluded JORGIC. Dojlidy Białystok – 1. FC Saarbrücken TT 2–3 Borussia Düsseldorf Take Commanding 3–0 Win in Priego The most decorated club in the competition’s history—with six Champions League titles and six European Cup of Champions trophies—and the No. 2 seeds in this season’s ETTU Champions League Men, Borussia Düsseldorf opened their Round of 16 campaign in dominant fashion. Last year’s runners-up produced a solid 3–0 victory over No. 17 seeds Real Club Cajasur Priego TM in the first leg. The evening began with a spirited effort from Hampus SÖDERLUND, who surprised Anton KALLBERG by taking the opening game. But the Swedish international quickly settled, raising his tempo and winning three consecutive games to secure Düsseldorf’s first point. In the second match, Dang QIU imposed his rhythm from the outset, controlling the rallies with precision and speed to defeat Diogo CHEN in straight games and extend the German side’s lead to 2–0. Carlos MACHADO tried to ignite a home comeback, but Kanak JHA proved too sharp, delivering another clean 3–0 performance to seal the tie for Düsseldorf. “Great performance by our team, losing only one set after a very long trip to Priego. It’s a very good result and it opens the door a little wider for the Champions League quarter-finals,” said Borussia Düsseldorf Manager Andreas PREUSS. Real Club Cajasur Priego TM – Borussia Düsseldorf 0–3 GV Hennebont Claim Important Away Win Against ASC Grünwettersbach No. 7 seeds GV Hennebont TT began their campaign with an impressive 3–1 victory over No. 13 seeds ASC Grünwettersbach in Germany. The match opened with a strong start for the hosts. Hiroto SHINOZUKA produced a high-quality performance to defeat French star Simon GAUZY in four games, giving Grünwettersbach an early 1–0 lead. Hennebont responded immediately. Vladimir SIDORENKO fought through two tight games to overcome Tiago APOLONIA 3–1, levelling the score and swinging the momentum back to the French side. The visitors then moved in front thanks to a commanding display from Lev KATSMAN, who dominated Tobias HIPPLER in straight games to put Hennebont ahead 2–1. SHINOZUKA returned to the table for the decisive fourth match but could not repeat his opening success. SIDORENKO completed a superb evening by winning another tight four-game battle, securing the victory for GV Hennebont. “We are very happy to play such a good match here in Germany. The conditions in the hall were not easy at all, very noisy, strong supporters, and a very strong team in front of us. In Germany it is always like this: great matches and great atmosphere from the crowd. At the beginning of the match we said to each other that we would fight until the very end, no matter what. And it worked. We are happy with the result, and I am personally very happy,” said SIDORENKO. ASC Grünwettersbach – GV Hennebont TT 1–3
ETTU Europe Cup Men Kicks Off in Odorheiu Secuiesc
The 2025–26 ETTU Europe Cup Men officially began today in Odorheiu Secuiesc, Romania, where four groups opened the competition in a tightly packed three-day Stage 1. The matches will run until Sunday, 16 November, with every team fighting for a place in the next phase of Europe’s club competition. Daily updates, live streaming, scores, and match details are available through the official ETTU channels. Stage 1 features four groups: three groups with three clubs each and one group with four teams, seeded from positions 25 to 37. The stakes are immediate: the top two teams from each group will advance to Stage 2, while the third- and fourth-placed teams will move down to the Europe Trophy. Stage 2 will introduce four new groups, bringing together the winners and runners-up from Stage 1, along with the third- and fourth-placed clubs from Champions League Men Stage 1. From there, Stage 3 will shift into a knock-out format. The eight qualifiers from Stage 2 will face the losing teams from the Champions League Men Round of 16, with all ties played in home-and-away matches. Group A opened with Alicante TM facing ASD Marcozzi Cagliari in today’s first match. On Saturday, Marcozzi will meet KTS Gliwice, followed by Alicante vs Gliwice on Sunday—three matches that will determine which two teams continue their European journey. In Group B, hosts CSS-SZAK Odorheiu Secuiesc share the table with Enoli Borges Vall and Fenerbahçe Sports Club. Today’s evening match features Borges Vall against Fenerbahçe, before the Romanian hosts take the stage on Saturday. The closing clash on Sunday, CSS-SZAK vs Fenerbahçe, could prove decisive for qualification. Group C shows an evenly matched quartet: STK Libertas Marinkolor Dubrovnik, SPG Linz, Energa Manekin Toruń, and Irun Leka Enea. Two matches opened the action today, with Libertas facing Irun and Linz facing Toruń. All four teams will play daily, ensuring a highly competitive group that may remain undecided until the final round on Sunday afternoon. Group D contains three teams: UTTC Paneceo Stockerau, Clube Desportivo 1º de Maio, and KS Olesno. Stockerau play both opponents across Saturday’s double schedule before Olesno and CD 1º de Maio close the group on Sunday. With fewer matches on offer, the margin for error is extremely small. Only eight teams—two from each group—will advance from Stage 1 of the Europe Cup Men. With the added pressure of possible relegation to the Europe Trophy, the opening weekend in Odorheiu Secuiesc promises competitive tension from the first serve to the last.
ETTU Europe Cup Women Begins in Linares: Three Groups Open the Race
The 2025–26 ETTU Europe Cup Women began today in Linares, Spain, launching a long weekend of intense competition that will run until Sunday, 16 November. Stage 1 features three groups of four clubs each, seeded from positions 17 to 28, with only the strongest sides earning the right to advance deeper into Europe’s second-tier club competition. Daily updates, scores, and match details are available through the official ETTU platforms. The group winners and runners-up will progress to Stage 2, where they will join the 3rd- and 4th-placed teams from Champions League Women Stage 1. From there, the four winners and four runners-up of Stage 2 will move into the quarterfinals, where they will meet the third-placed teams from Champions League Women Stage 2. With valuable qualification places at stake and several evenly matched squads, Stage 1 promises tight contests and unpredictable outcomes. Group A opened with two compelling matches. ASD Tennistavolo Sassari delivered the first statement performance of the tournament, defeating Universidad de Burgos – RM Terán 3–0. In the parallel tie, TalTech Sport Club fought off GDCS Do Juncal in a dramatic 3–2 victory. The competition resumes tomorrow with Burgos facing TalTech, while Sassari take on Juncal—fixtures that may prove decisive in shaping the race for the top two positions. In Group B starts all four teams entering the competition later today. CP Lyssois Lille Métropole face Bebetto AZS UJD Częstochowa, while UTTC Paneceo Stockerau meet CD Indiana Games. Group B is expected to remain open until the final round on Sunday night. In Group C, the action begins this afternoon with: Son Cladera TTC – Mallorca vs KS Wamet Dąbcze and TTC Meerdaal Leuven vs Fenerbahçe Sports Club. With Fenerbahçe fielding one of the strongest line-ups in Stage 1, and Mallorca entering with home-country support in Spain, this group promises a compelling three-day battle.
Montpellier Set for High-Stakes Clash Against Wiener Neustadt in Round of 16
One of the most anticipated ties of the ETTU Champions League Men Round of 16 opening leg will take place on 16 November (18:30), as French champions Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier visit SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt. Montpellier arrive with exceptional firepower, led by European Team Champions and Olympic Team bronze medallists Félix and Alexis LEBRUN, currently ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in Europe. Their presence elevates the tie’s prestige, marking Montpellier as one of the strongest contenders in the competition. They are supported by a solid squad featuring Esteban DORR (ER 88), Grégoire JEAN (ER 503), and Manav THAKAR (WR 45). “The players are in very good shape, and they always want to competeboth in the League and in the Champions League. The atmosphere in our team is excellent. We are currently together preparing for our league match against Rouen, which is a very good test before entering the Champions League. The mood is positive, the players feel good, and everything is running smoothly,” said coach Vincent AVRIL. Seeded No. 5, Wiener Neustadt reached the quarterfinals last season and now field a refreshed line-up with Andrei ISTRATE (ER 56), Peter HRIBAR (ER 129), Navid SHAMS (WR 157), Shunsuke OKANO (WR 451), and Piotr CYRNEK (ER 366). “Champions League, however, is our biggest objective this year. We are fully prepared for this challenge. The Austrian team is dangerous, with very good players, and we respect them. We haven’t prepared the match in detail yet because we have an important league game tonight, but tomorrow we will analyse, adjust, and define our tactics and strategy. We will be ready.” Reflecting on the team’s domestic performance, coach AVRIL added: “In the French league we are performing quite well: two wins and two losses so far. Alex and Félix have played only two matches, which makes this balance even more promising. Our main goal is to reach the play-offs, and we are on the right path. It’s a good start to the season.” On their European ambitions, he was equally clear: “Our ambition is simple: to reach the Final Four and go as far as possible. With Alex, Félix, and the rest of the team, our aim is to win and to be in Saarbrücken. We are certainly better prepared now than during the group stage because we have the complete team available. We will play with our full team in the final stage, and now we are ready to face the Austrian club. Tonight’s league match is important, but our main focus remains the Champions League. We took every necessary step to arrive fully ready for this encounter, and we are motivated to give everything.”
