The ETTU Europe Cup Men returns to action this weekend in Lille Métropole, where sixteen ambitious clubs will fight for the eight available places in the Round of 16. The stakes are high: the group winners and runners-up will move forward to the knockout phase, where they will meet the teams dropping down from the ETTU Champions League Round of 16. Group A: Toruń Look to Build on Stage 1 Dominance Energa Manekin Toruń (POL) arrive as one of the most convincing teams from the previous stage. Led by Dimitrije LEVAJAC, Asuka SAKAI, and Konrad KULPA, the Polish side swept every match in Stage 1 without dropping a single individual encounter, emerging as perhaps the most dominant squad of the opening phase. Joining them are the Stage 1 runners-up Alicante TM (ESP), who battled past KTS Gliwice and pushed Marcozzi hard in a dramatic five-match duel. Alicante’s squad Alberto LILLO, Diego LILLO, and Jose GUILLOT, will aim to carry that resilience into Lille. From the Champions League come two dangerous opponents: SPG Felbemayr Wels (AUT) and Roskilde Bordtennis BTK 61 (DEN). Both clubs bring significant international experience and the pedigree of competing against Europe’s strongest teams in the opening phase of the Champions League. Group B: Stockerau and Odorheiu Secuiesc Face Champions League Pressure UTTC Paneceo Stockerau (AUT) topped their Stage 1 group thanks to consistent performances from Mykhailo LOVHA, Khalid ASSAR, and Tarek AL-SAMHOURY. Their decisive victory over KS Olesno in a dramatic five-match encounter secured their place in Stage 2. CSS-SZAK Odorheiu Secuiesc (ROU) also impressed in Romania, finishing second in Group B after pushing Enoli Borges Vall to a full-distance thriller. The home team showed quality through Sebastian LOSO, Szilard GYÖRGY, and Szabolcs TAMAS. They now face two Champions League representatives: ASD TT Santa Tecla Nulvi (ITA) and Lille Metropole TT (FRA), the tournament hosts. Group C: A Balanced Group with Champions League Heavyweights Group C offers perhaps the most balanced mix of styles and strengths. Spain’s Enoli Borges Vall, winners of Group B in Stage 1, arrive after a gritty performance in Romania. Led by Francesc CARRERA, Marc DURAN, and José Luis ANDRADE, the Spanish team showed impressive composure under pressure. They are joined by KS Olesno (POL), who advanced from a difficult Stage 1 group after consistent efforts from Alan KULCZYCKI, Daniel LIS, and Radek MRKVIČKA. However, Group C becomes even more formidable with the arrival of STK Vyhne (SVK) and TTC Ostrava 2016 (CZE) from the Champions League. Ostrava bring particular weight to the field, they reached the Round of 16 of the Champions League last season, demonstrating they are capable of competing with Europe’s elite. Group D: Marcozzi and Linz Meet Pontoise and Starr in a Group Full of Contenders ASD Marcozzi Cagliari (ITA) impressed in Romania by winning Group A behind the strong trio of Federico VALLINO, Rares SIPOS, and Massimo FERRERO. SPG Linz (AUT) also advanced convincingly, finishing second in Group C with solid performances throughout the weekend. Their opponents come from the Champions League: AS Pontoise Cergy TT (FRA), historically one of Europe’s most respected clubs and a Champions League Round of 16 team last season and STK Starr (CRO), who add firepower and unpredictability.
ETTU Europe Cup Stage 2 Heads to Lille: Ten Teams Chase Quarterfinal Spots
French club CP Lyssois Lille Métropole is preparing for a major week of European table tennis as it hosts Stage 2 of the ETTU Europe Cup for both Men and Women. Ten women’s teams, six advancing from Stage 1 and four arriving from the Champions League will gather in Lille, where only four will earn their place in the quarterfinals. Group A: Hodonín and Budaörsi Headline the Field Group A is topped by SKST Plus Hodonín (Czechia) and Budaörsi Sport Club (Hungary), both stepping down from the Champions League after finishing third and fourth in their Stage 1 groups. Their presence immediately raises the level of competition, especially as Hodonín enters the event as last season’s Europe Cup runner-up. They are joined by three clubs carrying strong momentum from Stage 1 in Linares. ASD Tennistavolo Sassari arrives undefeated, after Tatiana GARNOVA, Irina CIOBANU, and Teodora SIMON produced a flawless performance to top Group A without dropping a match. Son Cladera TTC – Mallorca also comes in unbeaten, having dominated Group C with key victories over KS Wamet Dąbcze and TTC Meerdaal Leuven. Completing the group is the host team, CP Lyssois Lille Métropole, who secured their progression as runners-up behind Częstochowa. Led by Shuohan MEN, Lucie MOBAREK, and Margo DEGRAEF, Lille will now look to capitalise on home advantage as they compete against two Champions League squads and two in-form opponents from Stage 1. With Hodonín and Budaörsi holding the higher European pedigree, and Sassari and Mallorca entering in excellent form, Group A promises tight matches and little margin for error. Group B: Champions League Experience Meets Stage 1 Powerhouses Group B brings a compelling mix of Champions League-tested clubs and Stage 1 standouts. Portuguese side CTM Mirandela and Croatian contenders STK Dr. CASL both step into Stage 2 after competing at Europe’s highest club level earlier this season. Mirandela will be particularly motivated, having reached the quarterfinals last year before being stopped by champions Saint-Denis TT 93. Waiting for them are three teams that shined in Linares. Bebetto AZS UJD Częstochowa emerged as one of the most impressive sides of Stage 1, staying undefeated behind the stability of Emiko TAGUCHI, defensive specialist Tetyana BILENKO, and Paulina KRZYSIEK. TalTech Sport Club finished second in Group A, showing resilience. Fenerbahçe Sports Club pushed Mallorca to the full distance in their Group C showdown and claimed the runners-up position, further demonstrating their strength. Group B offers a different dynamic from Group A: Mirandela and Dr. CASL bring the experience, while Częstochowa, TalTech, and Fenerbahçe bring momentum and confidence from their recent success. The stakes in Lille are clear: only the top two teams from each group will reach the quarterfinals, where they will be met by the clubs finishing third in their respective Groups in Champions League Stage 2. Last year’s Europe Cup champions is Saint-Denis TT 93.
Borussia Düsseldorf, Dekorglass Działdowo and KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki Reach Quarterfinals (VIDEO)
Six-time Champions League winners and holders of six European Cup of Champions trophies, Borussia Düsseldorf progressed to the quarter-finals of the ETTU Champions League after overcoming Real Club Cajasur Priego TM in the two-legged Round of 16. The No. 2 seeds and last season’s runners-up completed the job against the Spanish side, but unlike the opening leg, the No. 17 seeds pushed the favourites to their limits and applied sustained pressure throughout the return match. Borussia Düsseldorf eventually secured a hard-fought 3–2 victory after a dramatic five-match battle. The German side made a strong start as Anton KÄLLBERG opened the tie with a confident 3–1 win over Diogo CARVALHO, controlling the rallies and setting the tone. Priego responded immediately through Tao YUCHANG, who overturned Li YONGYIN in four games to level the score at 1–1. Düsseldorf regained the lead thanks to an impressive performance by Kanak JHA, who dominated Carlos MACHADO in straight games to put the hosts back in front. However, Priego refused to give in, as Tao YUCHANG completed a superb evening with a five-game victory over KÄLLBERG, forcing the tie into a deciding match. In the decisive encounter, Borgar HAUG rose to the occasion against Diogo CARVALHO. After dropping the opening game, Haug showed strong nerves and composure, winning the next three games to clinch the match and seal a crucial 3–2 win for Borussia Düsseldorf. “We’re very happy to go through to the next stage. It was a bit of a tricky situation. We knew we needed only two matches, but that can actually increase the pressure in some ways. So we just tried to approach it match by match,”stated Kanak JHA. “Anton started very strongly for us, and that was really important. Against MACHADO, I was the clear favorite, so I felt like I simply needed to do my job and I did. It was also a very nice match of Borgar. It was played at a really high level, great for the spectators, and great for Borgar to take the win here at home. Overall, it was a very good evening for us.” In the quarter-finals, Borussia Düsseldorf will face the winner of the tie between HB Ostrov z.s. and Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. Borussia Düsseldorf (GER) – Real Club Cajasur Priego TM (ESP) 3–2 Opening leg Real Club Cajasur Priego TM – Borussia Düsseldorf 0–3 KS Dekorglass Działdowo Moved forward Last season’s ETTU Champions League quarterfinalists, KS Dekorglass Działdowo, have once again secured their place among the last eight, reaching the quarterfinals for the third consecutive season. In both legs of the ETTU Champions League Men tie, the Polish side overcame Czech SKST Havířov with straight-match victories. Tomislav PUCAR, Jakub DYJAS and Samuel KULCZYCKI featured in both encounters. “We won 3–0 and secured a place in the quarter-finals. What makes this victory even more special is that it came in front of our home crowd,” said Tomislav PUCAR. “I opened the match against BLINKA and I think I won the first two game very convincingly. After that, he started to play better and adjusted his tactics, which made the third set very tight. I had a match point that I didn’t convert, so the match went into the fourth game. It was very close again at 5–5, but I managed to pull away and win the match.” PUCAR continued: “We took a 1–0 lead, and after that we needed just one more win to qualify for the quarter-finals. DYJAS played next against BRHEL and delivered a great performance, securing the second point, which was enough for us. The third match was also open and competitive, but Samuel played very well. In the end, we won 3–0. It was important for us to win in front of our home supporters, and Samuel did a very good job in the last match, bringing the tie to a successful conclusion.” In the quarter-finals, KS Dekorglass Działdowo will meet the winner of the tie between France’s Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier and Austria’s SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt, with the French club having secured a four-match victory in the opening leg. Meanwhile, SKST Havířov will continue their European campaign in the ETTU Europe Cup Round of 16. Round of 16 KS Dekorglass Działdowo (POL) – SKST Havirov (CZE) 3–0 Opening leg SKST Havířov – KS Dekorglass Działdowo 0–3 KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki Cruise Into Quarterfinals KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki have also safely booked their place in the ETTU Champions League Men quarter-finals. Over two legs the Polish club, seeded No. 3, fully justified their ranking by overcoming Czech SF SKK El Nino Praha. There were no changes to the line-up, as Milosz REDZIMSKI, Marek BADOWSKI and Panagiotis GIONIS once again delivered the victory on home soil. “We were very focused from the first game until the last. We knew that we needed to win two matches. Milosz was amazing, he played fantastic table tennis, really top level, exactly his level when he is fully focused. Marek was also excellent. He usually has a tough time against REITSPIES, but today he stayed focused and handled the match very well,” stated GIONIS.” After Marek’s win, my match was more about finishing the overall tie for the spectators and for the team. It was not so important for qualification because we had already secured our place in the quarter-finals, but I still tried to stay focused. It’s not easy to play a match that doesn’t carry the same pressure, but I think I played well. Overall, it was a very good day for us. We are very happy to be in the quarter-finals, and now we are waiting to see our next opponent as we fight for back-to-back Final Four appearances.” In the quarter-finals, KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki will face the winner of the all-Polish clash between KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów and TTC Sokah Hoboken. KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki (POL) – SF SKK El Nino Praha (CZE) 3–0 Opening leg SF SKK El Niňo Praha –
Quattro Mori Cagliari Boost Quarter-Final Hopes with Home Win (VIDEO)
Italian side ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari strengthened their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals of the ETTU Champions League Women after a crucial home victory over Poland’s PGE Fibrain Ku AZS Politechnika Rzeszów. French club Metz TT remains at the top of the group with two wins over both adversaries, while the Italian team recorded their first victory of the campaign. Poland’s Zuzanna WIELGOS gave the visitors a perfect start with a straight-games win over Elizabet ABRAAMIAN, but Tania PLAIAN then turned the match in Cagliari’s favour. The Romanian player defeated Fen LI before Hengyu MA and ABRAAMIAN followed suit to seal the victory. “I’m very happy with this victory because it was extremely important for us. We still have a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals. I’m very happy for my teammates, for my coach, and for the whole club,” said PLAIAN. “We didn’t start well because Elizabet was not in her best shape today, while Susanna played very good. As for my match, it was unbelievable. I felt like I could do everything. I played the best table tennis I have played in a long time. Since last year, I never played like this. “About Ma Heng-Yu, our Chinese player, she was unbelievably good. She used very good tactics against Ilona, and her service and forehand were excellent. Elisabeth, in the last match, followed the tactics perfectly. She listened to the bench, and we supported her until the very last point.” The victory over former European champion from Sweden was an important confidence boost for PLAIAN, who recently returned from injury. “Regarding the injury, I am still not 100 percent recovered. I’m still in the recovery process, but I try to give my best. Now, during the Christmas break, I want to reset my mind and rest a little, because I played many matches in this period,” she added. Group leaders Metz TT will host PGE Fibrain Ku AZS Politechnika Rzeszów on Saturday. In January, ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari will face Metz TT on 14 January, before meeting PGE Fibrain Ku AZS Politechnika Rzeszów in Poland on 18 January. SD Quattro Mori Cagliari (ITA) – PGE Fibrain Ku AZS Politechnika Rzeszów (POL) 3-1 Saint-Denis TT 93 Claim Away Win in Group C In Group C, Saint-Denis TT 93 bounced back from their defeat against the reigning champions ttc berlin eastside with an important away victory over Linz AG Froschberg. The result leaves the Austrian side on shaky ground, having suffered two defeats from two matches. The 3–1 victory followed a very tight contest. Moe NOMURA gave the hosts a dream start with the narrowest of wins over Prithika PAVADE, but Siqi FAN then put the French club on the winning track. She claimed both of her singles victories, defeating Britt EERLAND and NOMURA. In the all-Croatian clash, Hana ARAPOVIC overcame Ivana MALOBABIC in straight games. “Prithika really had a very good start against Japan’s NOMURA. She took a 2–0 lead and we thought she could win the match. However, NOMURA showed that she is a very strong player and managed to turn the match around by a narrow margin. In the next match, Siqi showed that she adjusted very well to Britt’s style of play. My match against Ivana was a duel against a player I know very well, so it was not difficult to find the right tactics. The crucial moment came in the last match. Siqi managed to recover after being down 0–2. She changed her tactics and adapted her game perfectly. Now we will play against Berlin in a few days, and it will be very important to build on this success,” said Hana ARAPOVIC. Group C leaders ttc berlin eastside will host Saint-Denis TT 93 on Saturday. In January, Linz AG Froschberg will face ttc berlin eastside on 13 January, while Saint-Denis TT 93 will meet Linz AG Froschberg on 18 January. Linz AG Froschberg (AUT) – Saint-Denis TT 93 (FRA) 1–3
ETTU Launches “Eurospins” Project with Joint Training Camp in Korea
The first edition of the “Eurospins” project is underway on the Korean island of Jeju. From 11 to 22 December, ETTU’s forthcoming stars are taking part in the 2025 Joint Training Camp in Korea, featuring an intensive programme of daily practice sessions, semi-official friendly matches, and a cultural exchange programme. See the pictures here. Following a selection process and based on the availability of Europe’s top youth players, the European delegation travelled to Korea with four girls and four boys, accompanied by seven coaches. The delegation is led by ETTU Vice-President Jarek KOLODZIEJCZYK. The players participating in the camp are European and World Under-15 Champion Koharu ITAGAKI (Germany), this year’s European silver medallist and former champion Hanka KODET (Czechia), Under-19 European Championships quarterfinalists from Ostrava Julia LEAL (Portugal) and Nina SKERBINZ (Austria), Ladimir MAYOROV (Spain), Robert ISTRATE (Romania), European Top 10 winner and European bronze medallist Francesco TREVISAN (Italy), and European Top 10 bronze medallist Mark GERGELY (Hungary). The coaching staff consists of Jie SCHÖPP (Germany/ETTU), Anamaria SEBE (Romania/ETTU), Eduard MAYOROV (Spain), Jaroslav MIKESKA (Czechia), Toni RATO (Portugal), Oliver KOLBERT (Austria) and Natalia GRIGELOVA (Slovakia). “The main goal is to enable our leading youth players continuous practice at high intensity and quality, as most of the time they can meet Asian players only during official competitions,” explained ETTU Vice-President Jarek KOLODZIEJCZYK. “Our Korean hosts, under the tireless leadership of Mr LEE Jong-San, have prepared a fantastic environment for high-quality training with Asian partners. The Korean Table Tennis Association, the Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, as well as the Korean Sports Promotion Foundation have all been involved in the support and organisation.” Together with their Korean partners, ETTU firmly believe the project is beneficial for both sides and hope to meet again in spring, this time in Europe. “The camp is also a unique opportunity for all of us to meet and work with some of table tennis’ greatest figures, as the Korean coaching team is led by Mr Joo Se Hyuk, the legendary defender and multi-medallist at all major world events. We have also been visited by numerous distinguished guests, including the Seoul 1988 Olympic gold medallist Mr Yoo Nam Kyu and the Chairman of the Jeju Sports Council, Mr Shin Jeen Seong,” added Vice-President KOLODZIEJCZYK. “On behalf of ETTU, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Korean Table Tennis Association for the fantastic cooperation, and on a personal level I am very much looking forward to the continuation of the ‘Eurospins’ project in the future.”
UCAM Cartagena Maintain Group D Lead
Spanish side UCAM Cartagena TM remain at the top of Group D in the ETTU Champions League Women after securing another convincing victory. Following their important away win over group top seeds Etival ASRTT, the Spanish champions delivered a dominant performance on home soil against TTC Novi Sad. Maria XIAO, QI Fei, and Tin-Tin HO needed little more than an hour to seal a straight-forward team victory against Aneta MAKSUTI, Valeria SHCHERBATYKH, and Reka BEZEG, further strengthening Cartagena’s position in the group standings. “I am happy for our team that we won today. We are going into the next match with confidence and positivity, hoping to repeat this result,” said Tin-Tin HO. Maria XIAO added further insight into the encounter: “Champions League matches are always tough, even though the result was 3–0. I think we had a very good start. I was well prepared for the match – I had played Aneta before and knew she is a very aggressive and dangerous player. I think I played well today, and that gave us confidence for the following matches. A good start was the key, and having QI Fei with us gives the team extra confidence.” With this success, UCAM Cartagena close the calendar year in the ETTU Champions League. The remaining two group encounters are scheduled for January, with Cartagena hosting Etival ASRTT on 13 January, before travelling to Serbia to face TTC Novi Sad four days later. Head coach Jesús CANTERO highlighted the broader importance of the victory: “We are very happy to win this match, especially because it was our first home match of the season. Most importantly, this victory allows us to close the most difficult part of the year in a very positive way and gives us even more confidence for what lies ahead. Finishing the year with a 3–0 win means a lot. Now everyone can enjoy a short holiday, but we must stay focused and keep fighting until the end. When you win nine matches in a row like this, it shows that we are doing things well. But the season is long, and we need to keep working the way we have until now.” He concluded: “We know the season will be long, but at this moment we have won all our matches, both in the Spanish League and in the Champions League. That is what matters. If we continue like this, we can achieve something big. This is the way forward.” UCAM Cartagena TM (ESP) – TTC Novi Sad (SRB) 3:0 MIRÓ Ganxets Claim Crucial Away Win in Saint-Quentin It was a successful night for Spanish clubs, as MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Daurada recorded an important away victory in France against Saint-Quentin TT. Guo RUICHEN was the backbone of the Spanish side’s success, delivering two key victories against Barbora VARADY and Linda BERGSTRÖM. Anastasia KOLISH added another vital point with a win over Polina MIKHAILOVA. Although VARADY gave the hosts the opening advantage with a straight-games victory over Olga VOROBEVA, MIRÓ Ganxets quickly shifted the momentum and took control of the encounter. Despite the result, Group A remains led by Poland’s KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg, who have recorded victories against both the Spanish and French teams. However, this away success places MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Daurada in a much stronger position in the race for the main draw. The Spanish club now face a demanding schedule, travelling to Poland this Saturday before closing their group campaign at home against Saint-Quentin TT on 16 January. Saint-Quentin TT (FRA) – MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Daurada (ESP) 1-3
Second Legs Set to Decide Quarterfinal Line-Up in ETTU Champions League Men
The 2025/26 ETTU Champions League Men returns this week with the decisive second legs of the Round of 16. After a dramatic opening series of matches packed with comebacks, upsets and stellar individual performances, Europe’s leading clubs now prepare for the final push towards the quarterfinals. Several favourites carry strong advantages into the return fixtures, while other ties remain finely balanced, promising another round of high drama as the road to the Final Four comes into sharper focus. Saarbrücken Back Home After Polish Thriller 1. FC Saarbrücken TT (GER) vs Dojlidy Białystok (POL) Second leg: 19 December, Saarbrücken The reigning champions return to Germany with a slender 3–2 advantage after a fierce battle in Białystok, where Dojlidy pushed the No. 1 seeds to the very limit. Patryk CHOJNOWSKI twice delivered for the hosts, including a stunning comeback win against Patrick FRANZISKA, but in the decisive fifth match Darko JORGIC found his top level to secure the away victory for Saarbrücken. Adding further strength for the decisive return leg, Paris 2024 Olympic Champion FAN Zhendong is set to reinforce the German champions, giving Saarbrücken an additional boost as they seek to defend their title. Borussia Düsseldorf Close to Quarterfinals After Statement in Spain Borussia Düsseldorf (GER) vs Real Club Cajasur Priego TM (ESP) Second leg: 18 December, Düsseldorf No. 2 seeds Borussia Düsseldorf return home with a 3–0 lead after a dominant performance in Priego. Anton KÄLLBERG, Dang QIU and Kanak JHA each delivered straight-match wins after overcoming early resistance from the Spanish hosts. With such a strong advantage and the return leg in Düsseldorf, the German giants are in a very strong position to secure another quarterfinal berth. Priego will need something extraordinary to challenge the six-time Champions League winners on German soil. Montpellier Aim to Finish the Job at Home Alliance Nîmes/Montpellier (FRA) vs SolexConsult TTC Wiener Neustadt (AUT) Second leg: 21 December, France Alliance Nîmes Montpellier took a 3–1 away win from Austria, underlining their status as one of the main contenders for the Final Four. Félix and Alexis LEBRUN proved decisive, combining for three points. Wiener Neustadt stayed competitive through Navid SHAMS’ win over Antoine HACHARD, but must now overturn a two-match deficit away from home. Montpellier will approach the second leg with confidence and a clear target: finish the job and confirm their place among Europe’s last eight. Dekorglass Działdowo Target Safe Passage After Impressive Start KS Dekorglass Działdowo (POL) vs SKST Havířov (CZE) Second leg: 18 December, Działdowo Last season’s quarterfinalists Dekorglass Działdowo opened their campaign with a 3–0 away victory in Havířov, but the scoreline hides how tight many of the games were. Jakub DYJAS, Tomislav PUCAR and Samuel KULCZYCKI all had to show composure in key moments to secure the sweep. With the return leg in Poland and a three-point cushion, Dekorglass stand on the brink of another quarterfinal appearance. Havířov, however, demonstrated that they can compete and will look to at least challenge for a morale-boosting second-leg result. Bogoria Strong Favourites After Dominant Win in Prague KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki (POL) vs SF SKK El Niňo Praha (CZE) Second leg: 18 December, Poland Bogoria produced one of the most convincing away performances of the opening legs, defeating El Niňo Praha 3–0 in the Czech capital. With Miłosz REDZIMSKI, Marek BADOWSKI and Panagiotis GIONIS all delivering, the Polish club underlined their depth and ambition. The return leg in Grodzisk Mazowiecki sees Bogoria in a strong position to complete the task and reach the quarterfinals. El Niňo will need to produce something spectacular to turn the tie around against a team that has already shown full control over the matchup. Mühlhausen Travel to Czechia With Work Still to Do HB Ostrov z.s. (CZE) vs Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. (GER) Second leg: 19 December, Czechia Post SV Mühlhausen earned a 3–1 home win in the first leg, driven by two impressive performances from Marcos FREITAS and a key victory from Steffen MENGEL. Jiří VRÁBLÍK’s win kept HB Ostrov’s hopes alive. The German side enter the second leg with a valuable cushion, but Ostrov have already shown they can take points off their opponents. In front of their home supporters and with last season’s Europe Cup success still fresh, the Czech club will believe they can force a dramatic second-leg battle. Hennebont Look to Finish the Job in Brittany GV Hennebont TT (FRA) vs ASC Grünwettersbach (GER) Second leg: 21 December, France GV Hennebont delivered a highly impressive 3–1 away victory in Germany, overturning an early deficit after Hiroto SHINOZUKA’s win over Simon GAUZY. Vladimir SIDORENKO was the hero with two tight, high-pressure victories, while Lev KATSMAN dominated in straight games. With the tie now shifting to Hennebont, the French side have a strong platform to secure progression. Grünwettersbach, however, showed their quality in the first leg and know that an early win in the second leg could quickly change the momentum. Can Sokah Hoboken Finish the Fairytale – Or Will Orlicz Respond at Home? KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów (POL) vs TTC Sokah Hoboken (BEL) Second leg: 21 December, Poland One of the biggest stories of the Round of 16 came from Belgium, where TTC Sokah Hoboken produced a stunning 3–0 win over last season’s Final Four side Orlicz Suchedniów. Rémi BETELU, Benjamin BROSSIER and Quentin ROBINOT all contributed in a night of high drama, capped by ROBINOT’s comeback from two games down. Seeded only 19th, Hoboken have put themselves on the brink of a historic quarterfinal place. However, the second leg in Suchedniów presents a very different challenge. Orlicz, with their experience and strong roster, will throw everything into the home match to overturn the deficit. This tie has all the ingredients to be one of the most intriguing second-leg battles. Everything to Play for as Final Four Dream Comes Closer With aggregate margins ranging from razor-thin to seemingly decisive, the second legs of the Round of 16 promise a mix of comeback attempts, statement wins, and high-pressure finishes. For
Stage 2: Champions Deliver, Contenders Rise as the Final Four Race Heats Up
The 2025/26 ETTU Champions League Women opened its Stage 2 programme with high-intensity clashes, powerful statements from Europe’s leading clubs, and an early sense of which teams are ready to fight for a place in the newly introduced Final Four. Defending champions ttc berlin eastside, four-time winners KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg, ambitious UCAM Cartagena, and last season’s runners-up Metz TT all began strongly as the road toward the December’s matches. With only the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals, every match already carries significant weight. Group A: Tarnobrzeg In Full Command Top seeds KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg opened Stage 2 with complete authority. After a confident away win over MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Daurada, the Polish giants returned home and swept Saint-Quentin TT 3–0. Xiaoxin YANG, Ying HAN and Fu YU showed total control against the French side, placing Tarnobrzeg firmly at the top of the group. The fight for second place is now wide open, with Saint-Quentin and MIRÓ Ganxets meeting in a direct duel that could define the group. A French victory would give them a major advantage; a Spanish win keeps everything alive. GROUP A Group B: Metz Start Strong Last year’s finalists Metz TT began their campaign with a convincing 3–1 away victory over PGE Fibrain KU AZS Politechnika Rzeszów and home straight matches win over ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari. Charlotte LUTZ, Hana GODA, Mariia TAILAKOVA and Adina DIACONU form a formidable core that once again looks capable of a deep Champions League run. Having advanced from Stage 1, Rzeszów now face a demanding path. Next week is crucial for ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari, who must secure points to stay in contention. GROUP B Group C: ttc berlin eastside Make a Champion’s Statement Reigning champions ttc berlin eastside opened Stage 2 with a perfect week: a dominant 3–0 away win over Saint-Denis TT 93, followed by a 3–1 home victory against Linz AG Froschberg. Nina MITTELHAM, Miyuu KIHARA and Xiaona SHAN impressed in Paris, while at home Yuka KANEYOSHI secured two standout wins and SHAN added another commanding performance. As Berlin sit comfortably ahead, Linz and Saint-Denis now meet in a decisive match that will shape the battle for second place. GROUP C Group D: UCAM Cartagena Land a Crucial Blow in France In one of the week’s most closed fixtures, UCAM Cartagena T.M. delivered a vital 3–1 away win over Etival ASRTT, shifting momentum in a highly competitive group. Maria XIAO claimed two key victories, including the decisive point, while Daniela ORTEGA edged Christina KÄLLBERG in a dramatic five-game duel. Cartagena now return home with a chance to strengthen their position. For Serbian champions TTC Novi Sad, the upcoming encounter is essential: only a positive result keeps them within reach of the qualification line. GROUP D WHAT TO WATCH IN WEEK 2 Group A Group B Group C Group D
Metz Deliver Perfect Birthday Win for Hana GODA (VIDEO)
Following a successful start to the ETTU Champions League Women Stage 2 and a 3–1 away victory over Poland’s PGE Fibrain KU AZS Politechnika Rzeszów, French side Metz TT continued their strong run by defeating Italy’s ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari at home. Last season’s runners-up in the ETTU Champions League Women, and finalists twice in the past three years, the French club once again demonstrated their quality with an impressive team performance. Egypt’s 18-year-old prodigy Hana GODA (World No. 23) gave Metz the perfect start, overcoming China’s Hengyu MA to put the hosts in front. The lead was extended in an all-Russian encounter, as Mariia TAILAKOVA (European ranking No. 154) defeated Elizabet ABRAAMIAN (European ranking No. 126), strengthening the position of the No. 2 seeds. The tie was sealed in an all-Romanian clash, with Europe’s No. 26 Adina DIACONU defeating No. 111 Tania PLAIAN in straight games. “The Italian team is very strong and has quality players, which makes this victory even more valuable,” said DIACONU. “We are happy with our performance, and especially pleased that we could celebrate Hana’s 18th birthday in this way. We tried to give her the best present possible with this win.” Reflecting on facing her national teammate, DIACONU added that PLAIAN is still in the process of returning from injury. “Tania and I have been teammates in the national team for many years, and we know each other very well. She is coming back slowly after a recent injury.” Metz TT – ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari 3–0 PHOTO: Let’s go METZ
LINZ AG Froschberg and SPG LINZ Seeking Head Coach
LINZ AG Froschberg and SPG LINZ are looking for an experienced Head Coach to lead their professional table tennis programme. The clubs operate a high-performance tournament system focused on top-level national and international competition, with the clear goal of developing players to world-class level and promoting table tennis through modern, attractive formats. The Head Coach will be responsible for managing and further developing training operations at the highest national level, planning and delivering individual and team sessions, creating training and tournament schedules, and supporting the development of young talents. Coaching at national and international events and close cooperation with the sports management and tournament organisation are also key parts of the role, as well as building and leading a professional team of coaches and support staff. Candidates should hold a top-level coaching licence (e.g. A-licence or equivalent) and bring several years of experience as a professional or national coach, with proven success in player development and competition coaching. Leadership, organisational strength, strong communication skills, resilience, and a passion for table tennis are essential. Very good English is required; additional languages are an advantage. Applications (CV, cover letter, references) should be sent to: robert.renner@mail.com
