Brunetti Castel Goffredo continued their domination of Italian women’s table tennis by securing a remarkable tenth consecutive national championship and the 23rd title in club history.
The reigning champions sealed the crown with a convincing victory over Tennistavolo Sassari, winning 3-0 away in the first leg before completing the job with a 3-1 success on home soil in the return match.
On their way to the final, Brunetti Castel Goffredo overcame ASV TT Südtirol 3-0 and 3-1 in the semi-finals, while Tennistavolo Sassari advanced after Tennistavolo Norbello withdrew from the competition.
The first leg of the final was dominated by the champions. Bernadette SZOCS and Nicole ARLIA both recorded straight-games victories over Tatiana GARNOVA and Elena ROZANOVA respectively. Andreea DRAGOMAN added the decisive third point after winning the opening two games against Irina CIOBANU. Although CIOBANU fought back to take the third game, DRAGOMAN recovered from a 6-9 deficit in the fourth to close the match and give Castel Goffredo a commanding advantage.
The second leg began with a surprise as CIOBANU defeated DRAGOMAN in straight games to give Sassari the perfect start. However, the home side quickly regained control. SZOCS leveled the score with a convincing victory over ROZANOVA before ARLIA battled past GARNOVA in a hard-fought five-game encounter. SZOCS then completed an outstanding evening by defeating CIOBANU to seal the title.
“We are very happy with this result,” said technical director Alfonso LAGHEZZA. “It crowns a triumphant season during which we won every match. DRAGOMAN’s defeat against CIOBANU surprised us a little because it was a point we were counting on, but the two players had faced each other several times this season and Andreea had always won. Sooner or later, a setback can happen.
“However, we kept fighting as a team, as we always do. ARLIA had a very difficult match against GARNOVA and we had to adjust our tactics. SZOCS entered the court with tremendous competitive energy and a winning mentality. In an atmosphere like tonight’s, with a large crowd and such an important occasion, she wanted to show her strength.
“In the end, we celebrated together. Our president Franco SCIANNIMANICO knows how to make these occasions special. This championship means a lot to us because it is our tenth consecutive title. This season fills us with pride. We will keep the same team for next year. Bernadette and Andreea are now part of the family, they feel at home here and are happy to stay.”
Final
First Leg
Tennistavolo Sassari – Brunetti Castel Goffredo 0-3
- Tatiana GARNOVA – Bernadette SZOCS 0-3 (7-11, 3-11, 8-11)
- Irina CIOBANU – Andreea DRAGOMAN 1-3 (1-11, 5-11, 11-8, 9-11)
- Elena ROZANOVA – Nicole ARLIA 0-3 (3-11, 9-11, 3-11)
Second Leg
Brunetti Castel Goffredo – Tennistavolo Sassari 3-1
- Andreea DRAGOMAN – Irina CIOBANU 0-3 (7-11, 10-12, 8-11)
- Bernadette SZOCS – Elena ROZANOVA 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-6)
- Nicole ARLIA – Tatiana GARNOVA 3-2 (11-8, 6-11, 10-12, 11-7, 11-8)
- Bernadette SZOCS – Irina CIOBANU 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-8)
