SKST Plus Hodonín claimed a narrow 3-2 victory over TTC Novi Sad in the opening leg of the Women’s Europe Cup quarterfinal, taking a slim advantage ahead of the return match in Serbia. Binyue ZHANG gave the Czech side a strong start with a straight-games win over Sara RADAK, but Novi Sad quickly leveled the tie as Aneta MAKSUTI defeated Karin GROFOVA in four games. Marketa SEVCIKOVA restored Hodonín’s lead by overcoming Reka BEZEG, before MAKSUTI once again responded for the visitors with a convincing victory against ZHANG. The decisive fifth match went Hodonín’s way, as GROFOVA secured a straight-games win over RADAK to seal the overall success. Karin GROFOVA said: “The match was definitely affected by the incomplete line-up of the opponents, but this is not our problem. We are happy with the win, but I think we should have won 3:0 or 3:1. I personally am very sorry about the loss to Aneta Maksuti. This is probably the third match I have lost to her so closely. But Markéta Ševčíková won an important point, so it turned out well in the end. But it will be very difficult in Novi Sad.” SKST Plus Hodonín – TTC Novi Sad 3-2

Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 and Real Club Cajasur Priego TM both moved closer to the semifinals after strong performances in the opening legs of the Men’s Europe Cup quarterfinals, securing home victories and valuable cushions ahead of the return matches. Roskilde delivered a 3-0 win over AS Pontoise Cergy TT. Jens LUNDQVIST set the tone with a confident straight-games success against Rafael CABRERA to hand the Danish side an early lead. The tightest contest of the evening followed, as Tobias RASMUSSEN edged Alexandre CASSIN in a tense five-game duel to double the advantage. Anders ERIKSSON then confirmed the sweep with a four-game victory over Thomas LAROCHE, putting Roskilde in a strong position before the second leg. Real Club Cajasur Priego TM also claimed a 3–1 home victory against HB Ostrov z.s. Robert GARDOS opened the tie with a four-game win over Tomas TREGLER, but the visitors quickly replied when Vladislav URSU defeated Diogo CARVALHO in straight games. Carlos MACHADO restored Priego’s lead by overcoming Pavel SIRUCEK, and GARDOS sealed the result by prevailing against URSU in a tense five-game encounter. Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 – AS Pontoise Cergy TT 3-0 Real Club Cajasur Priego TM – HB Ostrov z.s. 3-1