The ETTU Europe Cup Men returns to action this weekend in Lille Métropole, where sixteen ambitious clubs will fight for the eight available places in the Round of 16. The stakes are high: the group winners and runners-up will move forward to the knockout phase, where they will meet the teams dropping down from the ETTU Champions League Round of 16. Group A: Toruń Look to Build on Stage 1 Dominance Energa Manekin Toruń (POL) arrive as one of the most convincing teams from the previous stage. Led by Dimitrije LEVAJAC, Asuka SAKAI, and Konrad KULPA, the Polish side swept every match in Stage 1 without dropping a single individual encounter, emerging as perhaps the most dominant squad of the opening phase. Joining them are the Stage 1 runners-up Alicante TM (ESP), who battled past KTS Gliwice and pushed Marcozzi hard in a dramatic five-match duel. Alicante’s squad Alberto LILLO, Diego LILLO, and Jose GUILLOT, will aim to carry that resilience into Lille. From the Champions League come two dangerous opponents: SPG Felbemayr Wels (AUT) and Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 (DEN). Both clubs bring significant international experience and the pedigree of competing against Europe’s strongest teams in the opening phase of the Champions League. Group B: Stockerau and Odorheiu Secuiesc Face Champions League Pressure UTTC Paneceo Stockerau (AUT) topped their Stage 1 group thanks to consistent performances from Mykhailo LOVHA, Khalid ASSAR, and Tarek AL-SAMHOURY. Their decisive victory over KS Olesno in a dramatic five-match encounter secured their place in Stage 2. CSS-SZAK Odorheiu Secuiesc (ROU) also impressed in Romania, finishing second in Group B after pushing Enoli Borges Vall to a full-distance thriller. The home team showed quality through Sebastian LOSO, Szilard GYÖRGY, and Szabolcs TAMAS. They now face two Champions League representatives: ASD TT Santa Tecla Nulvi (ITA) and Lille Metropole TT (FRA), the tournament hosts. Group C: A Balanced Group with Champions League Heavyweights Group C offers perhaps the most balanced mix of styles and strengths. Spain’s Enoli Borges Vall, winners of Group B in Stage 1, arrive after a gritty performance in Romania. Led by Francesc CARRERA, Marc DURAN, and José Luis ANDRADE, the Spanish team showed impressive composure under pressure. They are joined by KS Olesno (POL), who advanced from a difficult Stage 1 group after consistent efforts from Alan KULCZYCKI, Daniel LIS, and Radek MRKVIČKA. However, Group C becomes even more formidable with the arrival of STK Vyhne (SVK) and TTC Ostrava 2016 (CZE) from the Champions League. Ostrava bring particular weight to the field, they reached the Round of 16 of the Champions League last season, demonstrating they are capable of competing with Europe’s elite. Group D: Marcozzi and Linz Meet Pontoise and Starr in a Group Full of Contenders ASD Marcozzi Cagliari (ITA) impressed in Romania by winning Group A behind the strong trio of Federico VALLINO, Rares SIPOS, and Massimo FERRERO. SPG Linz (AUT) also advanced convincingly, finishing second in Group C with solid performances throughout the weekend. Their opponents come from the Champions League: AS Pontoise Cergy TT (FRA), historically one of Europe’s most respected clubs and a Champions League Round of 16 team last season and STK Starr (CRO), who add firepower and unpredictability.
ETTU Europe Cup Stage 2 Heads to Lille: Ten Teams Chase Quarterfinal Spots
French club CP Lyssois Lille Métropole is preparing for a major week of European table tennis as it hosts Stage 2 of the ETTU Europe Cup for both Men and Women. Ten women’s teams, six advancing from Stage 1 and four arriving from the Champions League will gather in Lille, where only four will earn their place in the quarterfinals. Group A: HodonÃn and Budaörsi Headline the Field Group A is topped by SKST Plus HodonÃn (Czechia) and Budaörsi Sport Club (Hungary), both stepping down from the Champions League after finishing third and fourth in their Stage 1 groups. Their presence immediately raises the level of competition, especially as HodonÃn enters the event as last season’s Europe Cup runner-up. They are joined by three clubs carrying strong momentum from Stage 1 in Linares. ASD Tennistavolo Sassari arrives undefeated, after Tatiana GARNOVA, Irina CIOBANU, and Teodora SIMON produced a flawless performance to top Group A without dropping a match. Son Cladera TTC – Mallorca also comes in unbeaten, having dominated Group C with key victories over KS Wamet DÄ…bcze and TTC Meerdaal Leuven. Completing the group is the host team, CP Lyssois Lille Métropole, who secured their progression as runners-up behind CzÄ™stochowa. Led by Shuohan MEN, Lucie MOBAREK, and Margo DEGRAEF, Lille will now look to capitalise on home advantage as they compete against two Champions League squads and two in-form opponents from Stage 1. With HodonÃn and Budaörsi holding the higher European pedigree, and Sassari and Mallorca entering in excellent form, Group A promises tight matches and little margin for error. Group B: Champions League Experience Meets Stage 1 Powerhouses Group B brings a compelling mix of Champions League-tested clubs and Stage 1 standouts. Portuguese side CTM Mirandela and Croatian contenders STK Dr. CASL both step into Stage 2 after competing at Europe’s highest club level earlier this season. Mirandela will be particularly motivated, having reached the quarterfinals last year before being stopped by champions Saint-Denis TT 93. Waiting for them are three teams that shined in Linares. Bebetto AZS UJD CzÄ™stochowa emerged as one of the most impressive sides of Stage 1, staying undefeated behind the stability of Emiko TAGUCHI, defensive specialist Tetyana BILENKO, and Paulina KRZYSIEK. TalTech Sport Club finished second in Group A, showing resilience. Fenerbahçe Sports Club pushed Mallorca to the full distance in their Group C showdown and claimed the runners-up position, further demonstrating their strength. Group B offers a different dynamic from Group A: Mirandela and Dr. CASL bring the experience, while CzÄ™stochowa, TalTech, and Fenerbahçe bring momentum and confidence from their recent success. The stakes in Lille are clear: only the top two teams from each group will reach the quarterfinals, where they will be met by the clubs finishing third in their respective Groups in Champions League Stage 2. Last year’s Europe Cup champions is Saint-Denis TT 93.
