ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari moved one step closer to the ETTU Europe Cup Women title after edging Linz AG Froschberg 3-1 in a tense and emotional opening leg of the final in Cagliari. Despite the overall scoreline, the encounter was far closer than it appears, with three of the four matches decided in dramatic five-game battles.
The Italian side opened strongly as Elizabet ABRAAMIAN overcame Suthasini SAWETTABUT in a thrilling five-game duel to give Cagliari an early lead. Linz AG Froschberg responded through Britt EERLAND, who defeated Hengyu MA to level the tie at 1-1.
Tania PLAIAN then delivered one of the key moments of the evening. Facing Ivana MALOBABIC, a player she had never previously beaten, PLAIAN fought back from two games down to secure a crucial victory for the hosts. ABRAAMIAN then sealed the overall success in another dramatic encounter, defeating Britt EERLAND in five games after recovering from a difficult start.
“We never stopped believing,” said Tania PLAIAN. “Again the team spirit helped us and also the crowd was so loud today. We knew it would be a very tough fight because all three victories came 3-2. The first match gave us confidence that we could win this match.”
PLAIAN also praised her teammate Elizabet ABRAAMIAN’s decisive contribution.
“Elizabet was really strong mentally against Britt. She showed very good nerves and played very smart in the important moments. She is an unbelievable player and it is really nice to see how she plays.”
Reflecting on her own victory against MALOBABIC, PLAIAN admitted the match carried extra significance.
“I never won against Ivana before and I always felt uncomfortable against her. Today was different because physically I felt much better and for the first time I didn’t feel pain during the match. I stayed patient, played good tactics and in the important moments I had the courage to do what was necessary to win.”
ABRAAMIAN stressed that the tie is still far from decided despite Cagliari’s advantage after the opening leg.
“I’m very happy with this win, but we have to remember that this is just the first leg and we have to focus on the next match,” ABRAAMIAN said. “I hope we will do our best in Linz.”
The Armenian star also highlighted the atmosphere in Cagliari and the emotional support she felt throughout the evening.
“It was an unbelievable atmosphere. I felt that all I had to do was give everything I had and play with my heart. I tried to focus on every ball, ball after ball. I also felt the support from the team and all the people who came to support us. I felt that I was playing for Quattro Mori, for Cagliari, for all the fans and for the team.”
ABRAAMIAN additionally praised Linz AG Froschberg for the level of the final.
“I would also like to thank the opponent team for this unbelievable match, for the fight and the crazy rallies. This is the table tennis that we all love.”
ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari now travel to Austria carrying a valuable advantage into the return leg, while Linz AG Froschberg will look to overturn the deficit on home soil in the decisive match for the trophy.
ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari (ITA) – Linz AG Froschberg (AUT) 3-1
- Elizabet ABRAAMIAN – Suthasini SAWETTABUT 3-2 (11-9, 9-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7)
- Hengyu MA – Britt EERLAND 0-3 (9-11, 8-11, 11-7, 6-11)
- Tania PLAIAN – Ivana MALOBABIC 3-2 (9-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 11-6)
- Elizabet ABRAAMIAN – Britt EERLAND 3-2 (7-11, 9-11, 7-11, 11-6, 6-2)
