Among the emerging forces in European women’s club table tennis, UCAM Cartagena TM arrive at the ETTU Champions League Women Final 4 carrying both momentum and belief after one of the most dramatic campaigns of the season. The Spanish club has built one of the strongest legacies in domestic table tennis, collecting more than 20 national league titles and several Europe Cup trophies, including becoming the first Spanish club ever to win a European title back in 2009. Further continental triumphs followed in 2010, 2019 and 2022. Now, Cartagena stand on the verge of another milestone. For the first time in club history, they have reached the Champions League Women Final 4, confirming that the club is no longer only a dominant force in Spain, but also a serious contender on the European stage. Their path to Tarnobrzeg was anything but easy. Cartagena opened the campaign with victories over TTC Novi Sad and Etival ASRTT before surviving one of the most dramatic quarter-finals of the season against Saint-Quentin TT. After facing an almost impossible situation, the Spanish side produced a remarkable comeback and eventually secured qualification through the decisive golden match. One of the key figures throughout the campaign has been Maria XIAO, whose experience and leadership have helped guide the team through difficult moments. “To be among the best clubs in Europe is always a very positive achievement for both the club and for me personally,” said XIAO. “It means we are doing a good job as a club and, as players, we are giving our best to improve and help the team.” Even now, the experienced Spanish international still struggles to fully explain how Cartagena managed to survive the quarter-final drama. “The quarter-final match was really insane. It was almost an impossible task for us, but in the end we managed to qualify and honestly I still don’t know how,” XIAO admitted with a smile. “I think our team spirit helped us a lot.” That fighting mentality has become one of Cartagena’s trademarks throughout the season and perhaps their biggest weapon heading into the Final 4. “Yes, definitely. I think we have a very good team spirit and fighting spirit. That will give us something extra in difficult moments,” she explained. Cartagena’s squad combines experience, stability and attacking quality. Alongside XIAO, players such as Tin-Tin HO, Daniela ORTEGA, Fei QI, Silvija ERDELJI and LI Yao bring international experience, while younger talents continue to add energy and depth to the team. Now another major challenge awaits in the semi-final, where Cartagena will face Metz TT for a place in the Champions League final. “I’m expecting a very interesting and good match from both teams,” said XIAO. “For me, Metz are the favourites, but we will try our best to surprise them.” The Spanish international knows exactly how difficult the French side will be tactically. “They are a very strong and complete team,” she explained. “Honestly, we have nothing to lose. I’ve already played against all of them over the past years and lost against two of them.” For XIAO, reaching the Final 4 already feels special, especially with the introduction of the new format. “It feels special to be among the best four clubs in Europe. Whenever you play against the best teams and fight for a title, the emotions and pressure are always high,” she said. “I think this format makes it even more exciting for both players and fans, and it’s a great opportunity to be part of something new from the beginning.” And while Cartagena already made history by reaching the Final 4 for the first time, the ambition inside the club continues to grow. “It would be my first Champions League title and honestly that’s something I never imagined achieving because there are so many strong teams in this competition,” admitted XIAO. “But it’s definitely one of my goals with UCAM.” Reaching the final itself would already mean a lot personally for the experienced Spanish player. “It would give me a lot of confidence and also show me that I’m doing a good job and should continue working the way I am now,” she said. “It would give me even more motivation.”