KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg once again confirmed its status as the dominant force in European women’s club table tennis by lifting a historic fifth Champions League Women trophy on home soil. After already winning the title in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024, the Polish powerhouse crowned the first-ever ETTU Champions League Women Final 4 in Tarnobrzeg with another memorable triumph, defeating France’s Metz TT in the final after overcoming reigning champions ttc berlin eastside in the semi-final. Throughout the weekend, Tarnobrzeg combined experience, mental strength and remarkable team spirit — qualities repeatedly highlighted by coach Zbigniew NĘCEK after the victory. “Today the French team played very well, but for our club the most difficult final was back in 2019, when we believed we had almost no chance against Zagreb. In the end, however, we managed to win the title, and that victory remains very special for us,” said NĘCEK. According to the experienced coach, handling pressure became one of the decisive factors in the final. “Our players wanted to win this final very badly, and that is why they started the matches with a certain amount of stress. However, thanks to their high level and strong mentality, they managed to overcome that pressure and eventually play their best table tennis,” explained NĘCEK. The Tarnobrzeg coach reserved special praise for Ying HAN, who opened the final with a crucial victory over Hana GODA. “The most difficult task today was for Ying HAN, because she played the opening match against the number one player from the French club, but she managed it perfectly. I also cannot say which player was the best today, because we are one team. It is not only about the players at the table, but also the reserve players, our staff and the incredible support we receive from the spectators.” NĘCEK also underlined the importance of HAN inside the club beyond her performances at the table. “We also have excellent cooperation with Ying HAN. She has been playing here for 14 years, so she feels very comfortable in Tarnobrzeg, and our cooperation is at the highest level. She also helps the other players as a coach, not only as a player. Ying has a very warm and positive character, and that spirit inside the team helps us achieve success.” The emotional atmosphere surrounding the club and the strong connection inside the team were evident throughout the entire Final 4 weekend. “They are wonderful players, and I truly love working with them. That comes straight from my heart,” said NĘCEK. Tarnobrzeg’s journey to the title began with a commanding semi-final victory over ttc berlin eastside, where Zhuojia HE, Xiaoxin YANG and Ying HAN all secured straight-games victories to send the hosts into the historic final. In the title match against Metz TT, HAN recovered from losing the opening game against Hana GODA before HE and YANG completed the triumph that secured another golden chapter in Tarnobrzeg’s remarkable European story.
Metz TT confirm their place among Europe’s elite with another Champions League final appearance
Metz TT’s dream of lifting the Champions League Women trophy ended once again one step away from the title, as the French club lost to KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg in the final of the first-ever ETTU Champions League Women Final 4 in Poland. Despite the disappointment of a third final defeat after also finishing runners-up in 2023 and 2025, Metz once again confirmed its place among Europe’s elite clubs after an impressive campaign that included a dramatic semi-final victory over Spain’s UCAM Cartagena T.M. The French side arrived in the final full of confidence after overcoming Cartagena 3-1 in one of the most emotional matches of the weekend. Hana GODA opened the semi-final with a commanding win over Daniela ORTEGA before Maria XIAO leveled for the Spanish club by defeating Charlotte LUTZ. The turning point came in the third match, where Adina DIACONU survived a tense five-game battle against Tin Tin HO to restore Metz’s advantage. GODA then sealed the historic qualification by overcoming Maria XIAO in straight games, sending Metz TT into the inaugural Final 4 title match. In Sunday’s final, Metz fought bravely against the experienced Tarnobrzeg side, but the Polish club proved too strong in the key moments. The opening match between Hana GODA and Ying HAN set the tone for the encounter, with the experienced German recovering after losing the first game to win 3-1. Zhuojia HE then overturned Adina DIACONU’s strong start before Xiaoxin YANG secured the decisive third point for Tarnobrzeg against Mariia TAILAKOVA. Still, Metz left Tarnobrzeg with pride after another outstanding European season that also brought them the French league title. “We tried our best tonight, but the Polish team was simply better. The first match started very well for us. At 9-9 and 10-10 there were very important moments, because if we win that game and go 2-0 up, the situation becomes completely different. Of course, it would not have been finished, but we would have gained a lot of confidence. However, Ying HAN played very well in the key moments and handled the pressure perfectly. Still, everybody in our team tried their best tonight. We lost because Tarnobrzeg are currently the best team in Europe. At the same time, we are proud because we won the French league title and reached the Champions League final again for the third time. That is already a very good achievement for our club, and of course we hope that one day we can win this final as well. Maybe next year,” said Metz TT club manager Belguise LOÏC.
