European Champions League Women The months of thirst for the top table tennis in Europe are finally behind us. In a moment of another heavy strike of COVID 19 Pandemic Linz showed the courage and knowledge to organise the most prestigious club competition in the Continent the European Champions League. It was the first ever Champions League played as a bubble tournament and it reached the expectations that such event carries. The European Champions League Women was played in the Sportpark Lissfeld in Linz Austria under strict hygienic measures. All participants needed to have a pre -arrival negative PCR test to enter Austria and they were tested again before entering the bubble. Participants were not allowed to leave the bubble during competition and had to wear FFP2 mask social distancing and further extensive sanitary measures to follow. The test results of all participants were negative including the PCR tests before departure. The organising success was followed by the amazing sporting result. In Linz 11 clubs were on duty in pursuit for the top trophy. The new format with sudden death rule in the last game proved as a worthy change that added extra excitement to the game. There were no easy matches and top favorites were under severe pressure which produced thrilling duels. In the unforgettable final TTC Berlin eastside justified their rankings and overcame Linz AG Froschberg in the closest possible way to clinch the fifth title. French TT Saint-Quentinois and Metz TT played in first ever ECLW semi final. European Table Tennis expresses its gratitude to Linz management for the great organisation and thanks all the participating clubs. Congratulations to the winner ttc Berlin eastside. And the excitement continues. The Champions League Men kicks off tomorrow Friday 11th December start 10 am Düsseldorf  Germany.  

European Champions League Women   TTC Berlin eastside is the crowned champion of the 2020/21 Bosco European Champions League Women. In the Sportpark Lissfeld in Linz in the special bubble edition of the League TTC Berlin eastside concluded the tournament with the victory over Linz AG Froschberg. It is fifth title for Germany’s club whilst Linz stayed at two. Day earlier French TT Saint-Quentinois and Metz TT played in their first ever ECLW semi final. German club took the lead with the win in the opening match. At the beginning Margarita PESOTSKA denied all SHAN Xiaona’s chances to settle into the rhythm. She was constantly in attack changed the pace and kept the opening game under control. Good service game gave SHAN a little breathing space at the beginning of the second game but not for long. Precise around the edges PESOTSKA easily recovered and after 2:4 overturn the result. The determination did not leave her when the third game commenced but SHAN’s braver performance gave results. Germany’s player won third game. In the fourth game it was SHAN who made the better start she moved into a seven points to two lead but PESOTSKA responded. Ukraine’s player reduced the arrears to 7:6 and coach Irina PALINA called for time out. It did not change the pace. PESOTSKA leveled and took the lead. SHAN did not give up. She withstood the recovery and won the fourth game by narrow margin. Unlike the opening game in the decisive set SHAN was all over the table aggressive and precise. Sudden death worked in her favor. At the beginning of the second match between Sofia POLCANOVA and Nina MITTELHAM we saw the dominance of the Austria’s player once again. Without difficulties Sofia won the opening game. Sofia’s supremacy melted in the second game. None of the player were able to create a wider gap and advantage went from one side to another. Nina kept close until 9:9 but then POLCANOVA forced her into mistakes. There was no remarkable recovery in this match; Nina won only four points in third game. Britt EERLAND started the third match in dominant mode. Bernadette SZOCS tried to catch up but nothing worked in the opening game. In the second Britt made series of 4:1 SZOCS came close at 4:3 but then Dutch player won three points in the row for 6:3. Once again Bernadette came close at 7:6 and again Britt fiercely responded and won second game. From 6:3 for Britt to 6:6 and 7:7 8:8 SZOCS was not giving up but Britt did not lose her nerve. Instead of POLCANOVA in fourth match LIU Jia entered the game to face SHAN. Experienced Austria’s star was precise and lethal. She took the opening game in fast line and denied all SHAN’s efforts to settle into the match in next two. In superb style she moved the duel into the decisive match. On her second exit to the table Margarita PESOTSKA played against Nina MITTELHAM. The experience from this match taught us that we can not predict anything. After she won only four points in opening game Nina made 7:0 row in next and then she leveled the match. The duel entered the more leveled phase and as it was expected reached the decisive game. “It is unbelievable it is even hard for us to believe what happened ” said Berlin’s coach Irina PALINA.”It was a little surprise that SZOCS played at the position no. three instead of LIU Jia. Than it was surprise than SHAN lost to LIU Jia this way. Usually the game between they two is much closer. But overall the biggest surprise is Nina’s win in fifth match. We all know how much is PESOTSKA dangerous especially in decisive moments. I told Nina to take a risk. She had nothing to lose. It was remarkable win. Her top spin is among the fastest in the World but in this occasion it was very difficult to use it.” At the end of the wonderful tournament hosts could not do anything else but to congratulate to adversaries. “Our games are always so close but again they were better. I can not do anything else but to congratulate them. It was great final and upmost it was great tournament. We could not watch at the end final points; we all were so much into this game. It is hard now when we lost but we also enjoyed team spirit; we enjoyed the opportunity to play again ” said LIU Jia. Linz AG Froschberg AUT – TTC Berlin eastside GER 2:3 Margarita PESOTSKA – SHAN Xiaona 2:3 (11:6 11:9 6:11 12:14 2:6) Sofia POLCANOVA – Nina MITTELHAM 3:0 (11:5 11:9 11:4) Bernadette SZOCS – Britt EERLAND 0:3 (6:11 8:11 8:11) LIU Jia – SHAN Xiaona 3:0 (11:2 11:4 11:4) Margarita PESOTSKA – Nina MITTELHAM (11:4 6:11 9:11 11:8 4:6)

European Champions League Women (from 3rd to 8th December)   On the penultimate day of the play in the Sportpark Lissfeld at the European Champions League Women TTC Berlin eastside justified their status and booked their place in the final. On the way to the ultimate stage they overcame French Metz TT. In the second duel of the day Linz AG Froschberg joined them after victory over TT Saint-Quentinois. TTC Berlin eastside GER – Metz TT (FRA) 3:1 SHAN Xiaona – Adina DIACONU 2:3 (11:2 11:8 10:12 7:11 4:6) Nina MITTELHAM – Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN 3:2 (12:10 3:11 9:11 13:11 6:5) Britt EERLAND – WU Jiaduo 3:1 (11:7 9:11 11:8 11:8) SHAN Xiaona – Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN 3:0 (11:6 11:3 11:7) The opening duel against Adina DIACONU Europe’s no 71 SHAN Xiaona commenced in furious style. Romania’s player won only two points before the game ended in favor of the player currently ranked at the position no. 11 in Europe. From the second game the battle really began. Adina responded fiercely but failed to create the opportunity to make a wider gap. DIACONU stayed close but SHAN withstood the pressure. In the closing stage of the third game Adina forced SHAN into errors. The pendulum swung. The match that headed toward fast end suddenly changed direction. Adina recovered to win the match by sudden death point. Europe’s no. 9 Nina MITTELHAM faced Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN currently placed at position no. 43. The opening game started in favor of Romania’s player who created 9:5 gap before German moved to another gear to win the game by narrow margin. Nina failed to stay in the driving seat. Daniela took second game and in third she recovered from being down 5:9 to win 11:9. A moment of loss of the focus in the middle of the fourth game led to error and Nina was there to seize her opportunity. From 4:4 to 5:7 French coach BELGUISE was forced to call for time out. It worked and Daniela had match ball at 10:8 but Irina PALINA called for the time out and it brought back Nina in game to stretch the match to decisive game. On the edge of the knife fifth game this time work for Germany’s side. Europe’s no. 5 Britt EERLAND won easily the opening game against WU Jiaduo but the wheel turned in next one. It lasted for a short time. From the third game Britt tightened the grips and controlled the match. On her second ecit to the table SHAN showed no mercy and sealed the match in straight games.   “It was very difficult match. We are still adjusting to the sudden death new rule . Today once it worked for us once it did not. From what I heard majority of players approves it and I also heard it looks good on TV but as I said it takes time to adapt to it ” said coach Irina PALINA.       Linz AG Froschberg AUT – TT Saint-Quentinois FRA 3:2 Sofia POLCANOVA – Andreea DRAGOMAN 3:2 (11:13 11:9 11:6 9:11 6:4) Bernadette SZOCS – Polina MIKHAILOVA 0:3 (8:11 2:11 8:11) LIU Jia – Sarah DE NUTTE 3:1 (17:15 11:8 8:11 11:5) Sofia POLCANOVA – Polina MIKHAILOVA 2:3 (10:12 11:6 11:6 7:11 1:6) Margarita PESOTSKA – Andreea DRAGOMAN (11:5 11:8 14:12) In the second semi final European no. one Sofia POLCANOVA lost the close opening game against Andreea DRAGOMAN but when she had settled into the rhythm the duel was moving forward in her favor. DRAGOMAN did not give a lot of breathing space and keeping the constant pressure paid off. After being two games to one down she won the fourth and moved the match to the sudden death game. POLCANOVA forced DRAGOMAN into blocking mode but Romania’s player found the way to respond before Russian roulette pistol fired at 6:4. . Europe’s no. four Bernadette SZOCS failed to find adequate answer for Polina MIKHAILOVA’s defensive skills combined with sharp attacks. Polina currently placed at the position no. 13 in Europe concluded the match with the straight games win. Experienced host nation star LIU Jia was under severe pressure against Sarah DE NUTTE. LIU is ranked at the position no. 42 currently whilst Sarah is at no. 27 but the match did not finish as the rankings predicted. Despite the pressure LIU prevailed. For a second time in a day POLCANOVA had to play five games but this time wheel of fortune turned the other way. MIKHAILOVA recovered from 1:2 in games to win the match. “The new rule worked fine for me twice. I think I like it. It is early to say for sure the pressure is high ” said POLCANOVA. PESOTSKA entered the match for the first time today to face Andreea DRAGOMAN. “I learned that I will play during the match. Nevertheless I was confident and I played my game. I have good tactics for DRAGOMAN and it proved good ” said PESOTSKA.  

European Champions League Women (from 3rd to 8th December)   The knock out stage on the day four of the play in Sportpark Lissfeld at the European Champions League Women brought play off matches for one remaining place in the semi final. SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin Metz TT and UCAM Cartagena T.M have played for one position that will launch them in semis. At the end of the day Metz TT joined TTC Berlin eastside Linz AG Froschberg and TT Saint-Quentinois . The penultimate stage will be played tomorrow. Metz will play against Berlin in the first ever semi final of the European Champions League Women for the club.   You can follow the live action here https://www.ettu.tv/en-int/playerpage/304491     SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin CZE – Metz TT FRA 2:3 Sakura MORI – Adina DIACONU 3:0 (15:13 14:12 11:8) Solomiya BRATEYKO – Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN 1:3 (11:13 11:9 6:11 8:11) Natalia PARTYKA – WU Jiaduo 1:3 (5:11 12:14 11:9 9:11) Sakura MORI – Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN 3:2 (11:5 11:9 10:12 11:3 6:4) Solomiya BRATEYKO – Adina DIACONU 1:3 (7:11 11:4 9:11 9:11) In the long distance thriller at the beginning of the day Metz TT recorded win against SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin.They needed three hours to overcame Czech Republic’s club. In the opening match Romania’s Adina DIACONU put Japan’s Sakura MORI under great pressure but all her efforts to force MORI into the first defeat at the tournament failed. All three games ended by narrowest of margins. Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN was tested in two opening games against Solomiya BRATEYKO. However after two close games that went firstly on Daniela’s and then on Solomiya’s account Romania’s player settled in more comfortable rhythm. WU Jiaduo overcame Natalia PARTYKA in the match full of ups and downs before SAKURA entered the playing field once again. Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN got a first chance to finish the match in Metz’s favor. Stretched to full distance but equally dangerous SAKURA did not let that happen. Tense and close duel went to five games where sudden death took the best of SAKURA. “It was far from my lucky day today. Usually it should not be big problem. I like her style of play. Her heavy balls are not problem for me. I felt quite comfortable in the opening game but in the second I lost by narrow margin and she took the control ” explained Daniela.   Against BRATEYKO both Romania’s stars played for a first time.   “We study her game her style is very difficult. However she struggled with my first top spin. I am not in top shape but results and play at this tournament helped me build my confidence ” said Adina.   UCAM Cartagena T.M ESP – SKST Stavoimpex Hodonín (CZE) 1:3 Maria XIAO – Sakura MORI 1:3 (10:12 2:11 12:10 9:11) LI Fen – Natalia PARTYKA 3:1 (8:11 11:9 11:5 11:6) Silvia ERDELJI – Solomiya BRATEYKO 2:3 (7:11 11:9 5:11 11:7 3:6) LI Fen – Sakura MORI 1:3 (6:11 9:11 11:7 11:13)   UCAM Cartagena T.M ESP suffered against SKST Stavoimpex Hodonín in the second match of the day. Sakura MORI continued in the same pace she was playing earlier this morning. This time it was Maria XIAO who suffered by the hands of the Japan’s player. Maria had a god start but from second half of the opening game MORI settled into the game and took over the control. Third and fourth games were close but on the final balls MORI showed more confidence.   LI Fen lost the opening game to Natalia PARTYKA but when Swede eventually get into the game and she took over the control. Silvia ERDELJI forced Solomiya BRATEYKO to go full distance but young player maintained her patience against Silvia’s defensive skills.   “I had bad start of the tournament. I was not happy with my performance but as time went by it get better. Against ERDELJI for me it was important to put each ball on the table to play safe without many risks. My block and top spin worked fine ” said BRATEYKO.   Duel between two number ones brought powerful and aggressive exchanges of rallies in which Sakura MORI proved to be faster and more precise in two opening games. LI recovered only in the third game just before MORI sealed the match in great style.   “I study all the adversaries a lot. My service and return game worked fine and now I am so happy ”said MORI.   UCAM Cartagena T.M ESP – Metz TT (FRA) 1:3 Maria XIAO – Adina DIACONU 2:3 (11:9 4:11 11:9 4:11 1:6) LI Fen – Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN 3:1 (9:11 11:5 11:4 11:3) Carmen LOZANO – WU Jiaduo 0:3 (8:11 2:11 3:11) Maria XIAO – Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN 0:3 (8:11 9:11 4:11) In the last match of the day Adina DIACONU went full distance against Maria XIAO before LI Fen managed to level the score. She beat Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN. On position no. three WU Jiadu drove on the fast lane. She overcame Carmen LOZANO to gave Metz advantage again. Daniela sealed the match after victory over Maria. “I am so happy that we reached the first semi final for the club and personally it is the first one for me. We already showed against Linz that we can play good against the favories and we will give our best performance against the German side tomorrow. Maybe we had some advantage of being in the venue one day more…” said DIACONU.    

European Champions League Women (from 3rd to 8th December) Day three of the European Champions League Women in Sportpark Lissfeld started with the last round in Group stage. After two days one semi finalist is already known. French TT Saint-Quentinois recorded both wins in their group of three. In two other groups we have to wait for the results in the ultimate round. Winners will qualify for the semi-final whilst runners up will proceed to play-off. In play-off round there will be one group of three clubs and the winner qualifies for the last place in the semifinal. You can follow the live action here. SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin CZE- TTC CarinthiaWinds Villach AUT 3:0   Sakura MORI – Bettina FEUERABEND 3:0 (11:6 11:5 11:6) Solomiya BRATEYKO – Anna Zsofia FENYVESI 3:0 (11:3 11:8 11:5)   Since TT Saint-Quentinois already beat both clubs the duel between SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin and TTC CarinthiaWinds Villach was played for the position no. two and the place in the play off. With only two players on the Austria’s club playing list there were little chance for Carinthia Winds Villach.   Without difficulties Japan’s Sakura MORI overcame ettina FEUERABEND and Solomiya BRATEYKO also had an easy task against Anna Zsofia FENYVESI.   “Yesterday we had close match against Saint-Quentinois but unfortunately we lost it would be perfect to be on 1st place in the group and go directly to the semi final but we lost so we have to fight tomorrow ” said Natalia PARTYKA.”I am disappoint with my yesterday’s performance but I hope I will be able to play better tomorrow. On the other side Mori SAKURA is doing her job really good she plays well. So I hope everything stays this way.”                             Metz TT FRA- Girbau-Vic TT ESP 3:0   Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN – Gabriela FEHER 3:0 (11:6 11:7 11:7) Adina DIACONU – Sofia-Xuan ZHANG 3:0 (11:7 11:8 11:4) WU Jiaduo – Charlotte CAREY 3:0 (11:7 11:7 11:7) Metz TT beat Girbau-Vic TT to finish the Group stage with two wins and one defeat. Before Spanish club they overcame Hungay’sSH-ITB Budaörsi 2I SC but lost to no. two seeds Linz AG Froschberg. Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN overcame Gabriela FEHER in straight games to give Metz a dream start. The pace has not change in matches that followed. Like the opening one the duel between Adina DIACONU and Sofia-Xuan ZHANG ended in favor of the Romania’s player. WU Jiaduo recorded another straight games victory over Charlotte CAREY.   “I am happy I won because I know FEHER since forever; she is very good and clever player so I knew i must take good care…I am happy with my performance today since we had a very difficult day yesterday ” said Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN.” Yesterday the luck definitely was not on my side…But i am happy we played on high level we continue our journey with more matches. I miss the old times. I wish one day they will stop to make so many changes in the sport table tennis changed a lot since i started to play.”     Linz AG Froschberg AUT – SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club HUN Margarita PESOTSKA – Sabina SURJAN 3:2 (11:3 11:13 11:8 11:13 6:5) Bernadette -SZOCS – Maria FAZEKAS 3:0 (6:11 11:7 11:6) Margarita BALTUSHITE – Helga DARI (10:12 4:11 11:4 11:4 6:3) Linz AG Froschberg booked the first place in the Group B and progressed directly to the semifinal of the Event. With two defeats SH-ITB Budaörsi 2I SH-IT finished their journey in Linz. In the opening match Sabina SURJAN stretched Margarita PESOTSKA to full distance but sudden death point rule worked for Ukraine’s player. Beside the opening the other four games were played at the edge of the knife. PESOTSKA put a great effort to control SURJAN’s aggressive play and succeed in crucial moment. “I watched videos of all girls and I was prepared it will be very difficult to overcame SURJAN. She put a lot of balls on the table and makes little mistakes. Opening game was easy but then she began to be very aggressive. I had to change the tactics – she played equally good from backhand and forehand like it does not makes the difference. Then I decided to play a little more on forehand because she attacked too fast from backhand. It was close until the last point. Even the winning point was at the edge of the net ” explained PESOTSKA. In the second duel Bernadette SZOCS spent less time in playing arena. She overcame Maria FAZEKAS in straight games. She was precise and lethal. Margarita BALTUSHITE recovered from two games to null in reverse to overcame Helga DARI in sudden death fifth game and to launch hosts in the semis in express style.   UCAM Cartagena T.M ESP- CP Lyssois Lille Métropole FRA 3:2 Maria XIAO – Linda BERGSTROM 0:3 (10:12 7:11 10:12) LI Fen – Dora MADARASZ 3:0 (11:8 11:6 11:4) Silvia ERDELJI – Andrea TODOROVIC  0:3 (8:11 12:14 11:13) LI Fen – Linda BERGSTROM 3:0 (11:9 11:8 11:8) Maria XIAO – Dora MADARASZ 3:1 (11:9 8:11 11:7 11:7) In thrilling five matches encounter UCAM Cartagena T.M overcame CP Lyssois Lille Métropole to stay in the run for the semi final place. Linda BERGSTROM was under severe pressure against Maria XIAO but she played very mature in crucial points. Swede clinched straight games victory after two games concluded by very narrow margin. LI Fen won the equalizer by nullifying all the efforts Dora MADARASZ took to take the control the match. Nothing Dora tried did not work. In third match. “I was well prepared for my matches here. I study the adversaries so I avoid any surprises ” said former European champion LI Fen.   Andrea TODOROVIC put French club once again in the lead. She beat Silvia ERDELJI in straight games but two games ended by narrowest of margin. The backbone of the Spanish club LI Fen pushed the duel into the decisive match. She recorded another

European Champions League Women (from 3rd to 8th December)   On the second day of the play in Sportpark Lissfeld the European Champions League Women will continue with the Group Stage. In this phase there are two groups with four teams and one with three. All group winners will qualify for the semi-final whilst runners up will proceed to play-off. In play-off round there will be one group of three clubs and the winner qualifies for the last place in the semifinal.   Follow the live action here.   Girbau-Vic TT ESP- SH ITB Budaörsi Sport Club HUN 2:3 Charlotte CAREY – Szabina SURJÁN 1:3 (7:11 11:6 10:12 9:11) Sofia-Xuan ZHANG – Maria FAZEKAS 3:0 (11:9 11:7 11:9) Gabriela FEHER – Helga DARI 3:1 (8:11 11:3 11:5 11:4) Sofia-Xuan ZHANG – Szabina SURJÁN 1:3 (5:11 11:9 5:11 9:11) Charlotte CAREY – Maria FAZEKAS (3:11 11:7 11:7 5:11 3:6)   The day started with the clash between Spain’s Girbau-Vic TT and Hungary’s SH-ITB Budaörsi 2I SC. We continued in the same pace we finished the day one. Last night TTC Berlin eastside overcame CP Lyssois Lille Metropole in full five matches thriller and today opening game brought same dose of suspense.     Hungary’s no one Szabina SURJÁN of Serbia outplayed no. two in Spain’s club Charlotte CAREY of Wales. It was very close four games match but Szabina managed to keep her nerves in the closing moments of the third and fourth game and to prevailed.   Sofia-Xuan ZHANG level the match in the duel against Maria FAZEKAS. It was much closer duel than the 3:0 result predicts but Sofia managed to keep all the attacks from FAZEKAS under control.   Serbia’s Gabriela FEHER had a shaky start against Helga DARI but from second game she moved up a gear and took control to record a fourth games victory. The duel moved to the fourth match. On her second exit to the table SURJAN maintained her unbeaten status. She justified her position and overcame Sofia-Xuan ZHANG. In the decisive match Charlotte CAREY forced Maria FAZEKAS to go full five games but the sudden dead system worked in favor of Hungary’s player.   TT Saint-Quentinois (FRA) – SKST Stavoimpex Hodonín (CZ) 3:2  Polina MIKHAILOVA – Natalia PARTYKA 3:1 (11:7 13:11 7:11 11:8)  Sarah DE NUTTE – Sakura MORI 1:3 (7:11 9:11 13:11 8:11)  Andreea DRAGOMAN – Solomiya BRATEYKO 3:0 (11:5 11:5 11:8)  Polina MIKHAILOVA – Sakura MORI 0:3 (5:11 9:11 8:11)  Sarah DE NUTTE – Natalia PARTYKA 3:0 (11:7 11:9 11:6)    There are no easy matches any more in Linz. The second duel of the day concluded after full five matches. For making the clash that long credits go to Japan’s Sakura MORI. Asia’s player in the jersey of Czech club beat both aces in French side: Polina MIKHAILOVA and Sarah DE NUTTE.     However it was insufficient for overall victory. MIKHAILOVA was at the top of her game against Natalia PARTYKA and Andreea DRAGOMAN added another point to the score after win over Solomiya BRATEYKO.           Linz AG Froschberg AUT – Metz TT FRA 3:2    Sofia POLCANOVA – Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN 3:2 (7:11 11:6 11:8 6:11 6:5)  Margarita PESOTSKA – Adina DIACONU 1:3 (11:8 7:11 9:11 9:11)  LIU Jia – Leonie HARTBRICH 3:1 (11:5 11:4 9:11 11:2)  Sofia POLCANOVA- Adina DIACONU 1:3 (8:11 11:2 9:11 9:11)  Margarita PESOTSKA – Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN 3:2 (9:11 11:7 6:11 11:6 6:1)    In a great thriller at the edge of the knife host  Linz AG Froschberg recorded another victory against French Metz. Sofia POLCANOVA had a very close opening against Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN. She beat Romania’s star in sudden death match; it was 6:5 in the decisive game.     It was not Daniela’s day for sure. Margarita PESOTSKA was also stretch to full distane in the fifth match but in that one it was 6:1 at the end.    Adiana DIAKONU showed brave face and strong performance. She beat both PESOTSKA and POLCANOVA but in the middle experienced star LIU Jia secured valuable point against Leonie HARTBRICH.    CP Lyssois Lille Métropole FRA- GDCS Do Juncal POR 3:1   Linda BERGSTROM – Janet EFFIAM 3:0 (11:2 11;3 11:7) Dora MADARASZ – Tatiana GARNOVA 2:3 (9:11 11:4 11:7 7:11 3:6) Agnès LE LANNIC – Raquel ANDRADE 3:1 (11:2 11:3 5:11 11:6) Linda BERGSTROM- Tatiana GARNOVA 3:0 (11:9 11:4 11:2)   CP Lyssois Lille Métropole prevailed against GDCS Do Juncal without great difficulties. Swede Linda BERGSTROM was not in the mood for charity today. She won both matches in straight games; leaving Janet EFFIAM and Tatiana GARNOVA very small chances to fight back. Tatiana GARNOV beat Dora MADARASZ but that was the only point for the Portugal’s side.   TTC Berlin eastside GER – UCAM Cartagena T.M ESP 3:1 SHAN Xiaona – Maria XIAO 3:0 (11:3 11:3 11:3) Britt EERLAND – LI FEN 1:3 (9:11 11:5 4:11 6:11) Nina MITTELHAM – Silvia ERDELJI 3:0 (11:5 11:5 11:8) SHAN Xiaona – LI Fen 3:0 (12:10 11:7 11:8)   In the opening day top seeded TTC Berlin eastside was the only club to be stretched to full distance. Today’s furious start and fantastic SHAN Xiaona’s performance in the opening match predicted a bit different outcome. SHAN beat Maria XIAO in straight games and left adversary from Spanish club with nine points in whole match.   LI Fen European singles champion brought Cartagena back in life after victory over Britt EERLAND but Silvija ERDELJI could not follow her path. Nina MITTELHAM preserved her patience to overcame ERDELJI’s defensive skills. Silvija came close in the third game but Nina stayed on winning tracks.   SHAN repeated her impressive performance from the opening match. This time LI Fen failed to find the answer to SHAN’s attacks.  

European Champions League Women in Linz (from 3rd to 8th December)   The season in Europe finally commenced with the the European Champions League Women kick off. In Austria’s Linz under strict sanitary measures 11 teams fight for the most prestigious club’s title.   TT Saint-Quentinois (FRA) –  TTC CarinthiaWinds Villach (AUT) 3:0 Polina MIKHAILOVA – wo 3:0 Sarah DE NUTTE – Bettina FEUERABEND 3:0 (11:4 11:4 11:6) Andrea DRAGOMAN – Anna Zsofia FENYVESI 3:0 (11:8 11:6 12:10)   The action started with the duel between French TT Saint-Quentinois last year quarterfinalists and Austria’s TTC Carinthia Winds Villach. French side won first point without big problems; Austria’s club can only count on two players.     “ We were a bit lucky they didnt have all the players so we could have a very good start. This is important for our next match which will be much harder. We are happy that finally we can play a tournament and is safe for us because its in a buble. There are a lot of new rules but we are trying to adapt to it and we are fighting to reach the semifinal ” said Andreea DRAGOMAN.   Tomorrow TT Saint-Quentinois will meet Stavoimpex Hodonin in Round 2 of Group stage.         Metz TT FRA – SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club HUN 3:0 Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN – Szabina SURJÁN 3:1 (11:3 7:11 11:7 11:5) Adina DIACONU – Maria FAZEKAS 3:2 (5:11 11:9 12:14 11:8 6:3) WU Jiaduo – Helga DARI 3:0 (11:4 11:5 11:8)   Two times European Double champion Romania’s star Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN had a good start against Szabina SURJÁN; she sealed the opening game in express way and left Szabina with only three points. However we did not have to wait long for the response. SURJAN took over the control to secure equalizer. The match heated up; Daniela found the answer and despite hard efforts Szabina put to find the way to change the course of the match it went only one way until the end.   “It is little strange with all of the system changes ” said Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN. “I am not very happy with the rule that the decisive game can only play until sixth point. The game is very fast and if you have two or three unlucky balls it is over. Szabina played very well. I think she improved a lot. She has a very good hand and a good feeling.”   Another Romania’s player in Metz’s jersey Adina DIACONU faced Maria FAZEKAS. Experienced Hungarian player won opening game without major difficulties. Adina took her time to warm up but when she did from the second half of the second game she was in the driving seat. FAZEKAS stroke back in the closing stage of the third game and secured lead once again. We had a chance to see how the sudden death rule works for a first time today. It was DIACONU who reached the sixth point first in the decisive game.   “ I’m happy that we could have a good start of this competition. I was very good mentally I fought a lot and I have been focused for each point. The team goal is to finish Group stage in first two and after that step by step to reach the semifinal. The competition it really long ” said DIACONU. “The decisive game was really strange; I played all points like it was last point. I was really focused to avoid easy mistakes and to put a lot of pressure on the adversary. I had some difficulties to adapt at her game and her service. Also after 1st and 3rd game not to go to coach it little bit strange.”   WU Jiaduo was in fast line against Helga DARI; Germany’s player took two opening games by storm. In the third game she faced a pressure but managed to seal the match in three games.         Girbau-Vic TT ESP – Linz AG Froschberg AUT 0:3 Sofia-Xuan ZHANG – Bernadette SZöCS 1:3 (5:11 4:11 11:8 7:11) Charlotte CAREY – Margarita PESOTSKA 0:3 (4:11 9:11 7:11) Gabriela FEHER – LIU Jia 0:3 (8:11 6:11 9:11)   Hosts Linz AG Froschberg showed no mercy against Spain’s Girbau-Vic TT. New addition to the club in this season Bernadette SZöCS of Romania overcame Sofia-Xuan ZHANG to give her club a dream start. Although she faced the pressure and lost third game SZöCS held the grip tight in the closing stages of the match.   Margarita PESOTSKA also had furious start but Charlotte CAREY showed more in the second game. That was not enough to halt Ukraine’s player progress.   Experienced LIU Jia knew how to act and safely drove the duel toward the end.   UCAM Cartagena T.M ESP – GDCS Do Juncal POR 3:0 Maria XIAO – Tatiana GARNOVA 3:1 (11:9 8:11 11:6 14:12) LI FEN – Gulchehkra KHUSSEINOVA 3:0 (11:5 11:7 11:2) Silvia ERDELJI – Raquel ANDRADE 3:0 (11:3 11:6 11:7)   UCAM Cartagena secured valuable points on their way to knock out phase. Maria XIAO took an early lead but Russia’s Tatiana GARNOVA proved hard adversary to beat. She recovered to level. In the third game GARNOVA failed to maintain the rhythm. Maria XIAO controlled the duel throughout third and final fourth game.   European singles champion from Schwechat 2013 faced Uzbekistan’s Gulchehkra KHUSSEINOVA to secure safe lead for Spanish side. Silvia ERDELJI faced no problems against Raquel ANDRADE.   TTC Berlin eastside (GER) – CP Lyssois Lille Metropole (FRA) 3:2 SHAN Xiaona – Dora MADARASZ 0:3 (8:11 9:11 6:11) Nina MITTELHAM – Linda BERGSTROM 2:3 (9:11 11:8 5:11 11:4 4:6) Britt EERLAND – Andrea TODOROVIC 3:0 (11:8 11:8 11:3) SHAN Xiaona – Linda BERGSTROM 3:0 (15:13 11:5 11:4) Nina MITTELHAM – Dora MADARASZ 3:0 (12:10 13:11 11:2)   Number one seed and the club with most of the titles in new history of the ECLW competition TTC Berlin eastside performed fantastic recovery; after being two matches