KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki claimed a valuable 3–1 away victory over KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów in the opening leg of the ETTU Champions League Men quarterfinals. Both clubs played in the ETTU Champions League Final 4 last year. The quarterfinal tie opened with a high-quality duel between Deni KOZUL and Marek BADOWSKI. In a tightly contested match, BADOWSKI edged the Slovenian 3-2, with fine margins deciding the outcome in the decider and giving Bogoria an important early lead. Suchedniów responded immediately through Seungmin CHO, who delivered an impressive performance to defeat Miłosz REDZIMSKI 3-1. The Korean was sharp and composed, thriving in the lively atmosphere created by the home crowd to level the score. Bogoria regained the advantage in the third singles, where Panagiotis GIONIS overcame Mateusz ZALEWSKI 3–1. The Greek international made a strong start, taking the opening two games convincingly. ZALEWSKI then raised his level and claimed the third, but GIONIS remained calm and focused to close out a crucial point for the visitors. The decisive moment came in the fourth match, as REDZIMSKI produced a superb performance to defeat KOZUL 3-2 in a thrilling encounter. With both players pushing each other to the limit and the match going to the deciding system, REDZIMSKI showed great composure and quality to secure Bogoria’s 3–1 victory. “We knew from the start that we had to stay very focused,” said GIONIS. “They have KOZUL, one of the best players in the world, CHO, who is an amazing player, and ZALEWSKI, a young Polish player who is improving very fast and played extremely well today. “BADOWSKI started very well and won a very close match where the small details made the difference. REDZIMSKI was also in great shape against CHO, and it is always difficult to play in such a hot atmosphere. My match was important for the rest of the tie, and after ZALEWSKI came back strongly, it was crucial for me to stay calm and focused. “Finally, REDZIMSKI played an unbelievable match against KOZUL and showed his level. This victory is very important for us, but it is only the first step. The second leg will also be very tough, especially at home.” KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów (POL) – KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki 1–3
HB Ostrov z.s. Book Quarterfinal Place; TTC Sokah Hoboken won the thriller
The ETTU Europe Cup reigning champions secured their place in the quarterfinals as HB Ostrov z.s. recorded a 3-1 home victory over Energa Manekin Toruń, repeating their success from the opening leg of the Round of 16. The hosts made a strong start, with Pavel SIRUCEK delivering a dominant performance to defeat Stepan VOLKOV in straight games and give the Czech side an early lead. Energa Manekin Toruń responded through Dimitrije LEVAJAC, who edged Tomáš TREGLER in a tight five-game battle to level the score. HB Ostrov regained the advantage in the third singles, where Jiří VRABLIK outlasted Konrad KULPA in another closely contested five-game encounter, putting the hosts 2–1 ahead. In the fourth match, SIRUCEK returned to the table against LEVAJAC, but the encounter was cut short when the Serbian player was forced to retire due to injury. HB Ostrov z.s. were consequently awarded the match, sealing the overall 3-1 victory and confirming their progression to the quarterfinals. “We had a clear tactical plan,” said Pavel SIRUCEK. “We knew the opponent needed at least a 3–1 win to have a chance to advance, so we expected young Stepan VOLKOV to play the opening singles. That’s why I’m very glad I managed to start well and secure the first point. “The match between Tomáš TREGLER and Dimitrije LEVAJAC was very even, and Tomáš was very close to winning it. The decisive encounter, however, was between Jiří VRÁBLÍK and Konrad KULPA – everything was at stake there. Jiří managed it, and we are moving on. “It’s a pity for the spectators that LEVAJAC was slightly injured and couldn’t continue, but of course that doesn’t change our qualification,” he added. HB Ostrov z.s. – Energa Manekin Toruń 3-1 Opening leg Energa Manekin Toruń (POL) – HB Ostrov z.s. (CZE) 1–3 Sokah Hoboken Take Narrow Away Win TTC Sokah Hoboken claimed a narrow 2–1 away victory over UTTC Paneceo Stockerau in the opening leg of the Round of 16. The Belgian side took the lead through Quentin ROBINOT, who defeated Khalid ASSAR in straight games. Stockerau responded as Mykhailo LOVHA edged Benjamin BROSSIER in a tense five-game encounter, but Sokah Hoboken regained the advantage thanks to Max RADIVEN, who overcame David SERDAROGLU. With the tie decided, both teams shared wins in the remaining matches, leaving everything open ahead of the return leg. UTTC Paneceo Stockerau – TTC Sokah Hoboken 1-2
UCAM Cartagena T.M March into Quarterfinals with Perfect Record (VIDEO)
UCAM Cartagena T.M concluded Stage 2 of the ETTU Champions League Women unbeaten, finishing at the top of Group D and securing a place in the quarterfinals after winning all four of their matches. Even with their leading position already assured, the Spanish club showed no mercy in the final round. UCAM Cartagena T.M edged TTC Novi Sad 3-2 in a closely fought away encounter, sealing the victory in the decisive fifth match despite a brave performance from the hosts. Étival ASRTT (FRA) finished the group phase in second place, while TTC Novi Sad occupied third position. The hosts made a strong start as Reka BEZEG delivered a dominant 3-0 win over Daniela ORTEGA. The Spanish side responded immediately, with Fei QI defeating Aneta MAKSUTI in straight games to level the tie. Novi Sad then regained the lead through Sara RADAK, who recorded a solid 3–1 victory against Angela RODRIGUEZ. “We are very happy with today’s win. It was a very hard match. Personally, I did not start well and I was lacking confidence, but in the decisive match I managed to find my confidence again and eventually win. I’m very happy about that. I’m also very happy for my team because we finished in first position and secured our place in the quarterfinals. This makes us very proud,” said Daniela ORTEGA. UCAM Cartagena T.M kept their composure in the closing stages. QI returned to overcome BEZEG 3–0, levelling the tie, before ORTEGA secured the overall victory with a straight-games win against MAKSUTI to conclude a tight and competitive team match. With this result, UCAM Cartagena T.M and Étival ASRTT advance to the quarterfinals alongside Group A winners KTS ENEA SIARKOPOL Tarnobrzeg and runners-up Saint-Quentin TT. TTC Novi Sad (SRB) – UCAM Cartagena T.M (ESP) 2-3
Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 Secure Quarterfinal Spot
Danish club Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 booked their place in the ETTU Europe Cup quarterfinals after completing a successful tie against ASC Grünwettersbach, sealing qualification with a 3-1 victory in the return leg in Germany. Having claimed a strong 3-1 home win in the opening leg, Roskilde arrived in Grünwettersbach knowing that two match wins would be sufficient to progress. The Danish side delivered exactly that, taking control early and confirming their passage to the next stage despite a spirited effort from the hosts. Notably, both teams began their European club campaign this season in Stage 1 of the ETTU Champions League Men. In the return leg, Tobias RASMUSSEN gave Roskilde the perfect start by defeating Tobias HIPPLER 3-1, before Jens LUNDQVIST added a second point with a composed straight-games victory over Damian FLORO. Those two wins mathematically secured qualification for the visitors. ASC Grünwettersbach responded through Divyansh SRIVASTAVA, who edged Anders ERIKSSON in a tight five-game battle to claim the hosts’ only point on the day. However, LUNDQVIST returned to the table to close the tie in style, overcoming HIPPLER in straight games and confirming a 3-1 away win. Return leg ASC Grünwettersbach – Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 1–3 Opening leg Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 (DEN) – ASC Grünwettersbach (GER) 3–1
