As hosts and top seeds of the first-ever ETTU Champions League Women Final 4, KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg arrive in a familiar position – among the favourites for the title. The Polish club will face reigning champions ttc berlin eastside in the semi-final on 23 May at 19:00, and earlier the same day, UCAM Cartagena TM will meet Metz TT in the opening semi-final at 15:00. The Polish powerhouse has dominated women’s table tennis in Poland for decades, winning 32 national titles since the 1990/91 season, while also building one of the strongest European legacies in the modern era. Four Champions League crowns in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024 have established Tarnobrzeg as one of the benchmark clubs in Europe. This season, the team once again progressed through the competition with impressive control. Tarnobrzeg opened their campaign with commanding victories over MIRO Ganxets Costa Durada and Saint-Quentin TT before confirming their authority in the quarter-finals against Etival ASRTT with a 3-1 away victory followed by a dominant 3-0 success at home. At the heart of the squad stands Ying HAN, currently ranked No. 5 in Europe and fresh from winning the bronze medal with Germany at the ITTF World Team Championships Finals in London. “ I’m very happy that we were able to win the bronze medal together with the team at the centenary edition of the World Team Championships,” said Han. “This medal is very special and unique.” There is little time to celebrate, however, with the Final 4 arriving quick after the World Championships. “ I needed to rest for one or two days and recharge my body. Then I immediately switched into preparation mode for the club competition,” explained HAN. Tarnobrzeg once again bring together one of the most experienced and balanced squads in Europe. Alongside HAN are world No. 12 Satsuki ODO, European No. 10 Fu YU and No. 29 YANG Xiaoxin, while the team is further strengthened by HE Zhuojia, Ng Wing LAM, Magdalena SIKORSKA and Kinga STEFANSKA. For HAN, the secret behind Tarnobrzeg’s consistency is simple. “Our team is very united, and we all truly love table tennis,” she said. The experienced defender also believes the diversity of playing styles inside the squad gives Tarnobrzeg a major tactical advantage. “The strength of our team is that we have many different playing styles, which allows us to use different tactics against different opponents.” Despite the club’s impressive history, HAN insists every season begins from zero. “Every season is a new beginning for us, and we approach every competition in the best possible condition,” she explained. The German international also welcomed the introduction of the new Final 4 format. “I believe the new league format will attract even more table tennis fans,” said HAN, who also hopes the home atmosphere in Tarnobrzeg can become an important factor during the decisive weekend. “Of course, I hope that more supporters will come and cheer for us.” And after years of success together, her connection with the club remains deeply personal. “Winning any title for my club would mean a lot to me, because the club feels like a big family.” ETTU Champions League Women Final 4 Semi-finals – 23 May 2026 Final – 24 May 2026 15:00

Metz TT will arrive in Tarnobrzeg with confidence, experience and perhaps more importantly, the feeling that this group may finally be ready to take the last step in the ETTU Champions League Women. The French club will face UCAM Cartagena TM in the semi-final of the inaugural Women’s Final 4 on 23-24 May, carrying both momentum from this season and memories from the last two years, when they came painfully close to the trophy. Over the past decade Metz have quietly established themselves among Europe’s strongest clubs. Domestic titles in France, the Europe Cup crown in 2018 and regular deep runs in European competitions have built the reputation of a team that consistently belongs at the highest level. Still, one thing is missing – the Champions League title. In 2023 they reached the final before losing to KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg, while last season ended with another final defeat, this time against ttc berlin eastside. Those disappointments now serve as extra motivation. French club once again showed their character throughout this season’s campaign. They had to work hard from the very beginning, coming from behind to defeat PGE Fibrain AZS Politechnika Rzeszów in their opening tie, but from that moment the French side only grew stronger. Victories over ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari confirmed their consistency, while the quarter-final against domestic rivals Saint-Denis TT 93 once again highlighted the resilience within the team. After edging a tense first leg 3-2, Metz produced a far more convincing performance in the return match to secure their place among Europe’s top four clubs. One of the major strengths of Metz lies in the balance of the squad. French international Charlotte LUTZ brings energy and fearlessness, Egyptian talent Hana GODA adds explosive attacking power, while experienced players such as Adina DIACONU and Sarah De NUTTE provide calmness in the biggest moments. Depth also comes from Mariia TAILAKOVA and Charlene LESTIENNE. LUTZ heads to Tarnobrzeg directly after helping France reach the quarter-finals at the ITTF World Team Championships Finals in London. Even with little time to recover, she believes the experience from London can only help the team. “I think those two events are quite different, because at the World Championships I played against my teammate, and now we will be together trying to win this title,” said Lutz, speaking about DIACONU after Romania’s victory over France in London. “We actually had a very good Champions League season. We managed difficult matches really well and I’m proud of the whole team for that. We want to keep the same fighting spirit and the same goal in mind for the Final 4.” For the young French player, this will also be a completely new experience. “It’s my first Champions League Final 4 and also my first time playing against Cartagena. They are a very strong team and it will definitely be a difficult match. We know they will fight for every point, just like us.” There is also a clear feeling inside the team that the painful defeats of the past two seasons could now become valuable experience. “We lost to Berlin in the final last year and Metz also lost the final in 2023 before I joined the team. Maybe now is the right moment to change things.” And perhaps the clearest message came when she spoke about the team’s ambition. “The goal is always to win the trophy. We feel ready for it.” DIACONU arrives in Tarnobrzeg after helping Romania win the bronze medal at the ITTF World Team Championships Finals in London, another historic achievement for Romanian table tennis. “It was an amazing run for us. We are very happy that we wrote history again for Romania at this special edition of the World Championships,” said DIACONU. However, the Romanian star admits there is little time to celebrate before another crucial part of the season begins. “Of course, after big tournaments it’s not easy to switch immediately to another very important event. I took one or two days off and then was back at the table. Before the Final 4 in the Champions League, we had the Pro A final so I had to switch very fast .” For DIACONU, the semi-final against Cartagena will carry both sporting pressure and emotional significance. “The semi-final against UCAM will be a very difficult match. They are a strong team, with almost the same level of players. They showed during this season that they are a very strong team,” she explained.“There is also a very special person for me there – Maria XIAO. She is one of my best friends, my doubles partner and someone with whom I share many memories and emotions.” DIACONU also believes the team has every reason to dream big after another strong season together. “I know reaching the semi-final is already a very good result for the team. Of course, we are also in the Champions League Final, but we see that as a bonus. I think our main goal this season was to finish among the top four teams once again, so now we just want to enjoy this semi-final – and why not try to go all the way to the final as well?” The Romanian highlighted the atmosphere inside the squad as one of the biggest reasons behind Metz’s success this year. “This year we really have a great team and an amazing atmosphere. Since Hana joined us this season, everything has clicked so naturally. She is not only an incredible player, but also a wonderful person who brings so much positive energy and fun to the group. In recent months she has been playing at an outstanding level, and we can all learn a lot from her and share great moments together. I’m truly happy to be part of this team.” Metz now arrive at the Final 4 carrying confidence, experience and the feeling that perhaps this time the story could end differently. “I believe Hana can continue her excellent form in the upcoming matches in Pro

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