For Zbigniew NĘCEK, the upcoming ETTU Champions League Women Final 4 is far more than another major European event. It is the result of decades of work, development and belief inside one of Europe’s most successful women’s table tennis clubs. Tarnobrzeg will host the first-ever Women’s Champions League Final 4 on 23-24 May, welcoming Europe’s four best teams in what is expected to become a new flagship event for women’s club table tennis. “I have been working in Tarnobrzeg for 39 seasons,” said NĘCEK. “Our club has come a very long way in the ETTU Cup and Champions League competitions, so hosting this historic first Final Four tournament feels like the crowning achievement of many years of work.” Over those decades, KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg have grown into a true European powerhouse. Alongside 32 Polish championship titles, the club has lifted the Champions League trophy four times and consistently remained among Europe’s elite. For NĘCEK, the decision by the European Table Tennis Union to award Tarnobrzeg the organisation of the Final 4 is recognition not only of sporting success, but also of the club’s long-standing professionalism. “We always tried to organise ETTU Cup and Champions League matches in Tarnobrzeg professionally and in a friendly sporting atmosphere,” he explained. “I believe the positive decision by the ETTU leadership was closely connected to the reputation our club has built.” Preparing an event of this scale has brought enormous organisational demands. “I expected organising the Final Four would be a huge challenge, and reality has confirmed that completely,” admitted Nęcek. “We will do everything possible to ensure all participants leave Tarnobrzeg satisfied with their stay. We will be fully available for our guests, although we also hope for understanding because this is the first time we are organising an event of this size.” The project would not have been possible without strong long-term support from sponsors and public institutions, especially strategic partner Enea. “Without the positive response of our sponsors and partners, we would never have been able to meet the high costs of the event,” said NĘCEK. “The Ministry of Sport and Tourism, Enea S.A., the City of Tarnobrzeg, Totalizator Sportowy, the Podkarpackie Region and ZCH Siarkopol are our trusted long-term friends.” At the same time, Tarnobrzeg remain one of the strongest sporting contenders for the title itself. Combining organisational duties with elite sporting preparation has created an extraordinary challenge for the coaching staff. “HAN Ying and FU Yu competed at the World Team Championships, while YANG Xiaoxin has been playing at the WTT Feeder in Istanbul,” explained NĘCEK. “Fortunately, we have worked together for many years and developed a system that allows us to prepare optimally for the most important matches.” The squad itself perfectly reflects the club’s philosophy – combining world-class experience with carefully selected new talent. “To have a chance of succeeding in the Champions League, the team must include world-class players,” said NĘCEK. “At the same time, we constantly try to bring in new high-level players like Satsuki ODO from Japan or NG Wing Lam from Hong Kong.” Still, for the coach, the most important element behind Tarnobrzeg’s success has never changed. “The key to our long-term success has always been the excellent atmosphere inside the team,” he said. “Because of that atmosphere, we won matches that many people believed we had no right to win, especially in 2019 when we sensationally won the Champions League for the first time.” NĘCEK also hopes the new Final 4 format can become an important step forward for women’s club table tennis in Europe. “We want to be a partner in this new concept, not only an observer or critic. This is our common goal together with the ETTU.” And while he understands the strength of the opposition arriving in Tarnobrzeg, the ambition remains clear. “We must always fight for the maximum result,” said Nęcek. “But we also know all four teams have enormous potential. May the better team win. And of course, if my team wins, I will be a very happy coach.” ETTU Champions League Women Final 4 Semi-finals – 23 May 2026 Final – 24 May 2026 15:00

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.” ETTU Champions League Women Final 4 Semi-finals – 23 May 2026 Final – 24 May 2026 15:00