Last season both Polish clubs competed in the final tournament, but this year their paths crossed already in the quarterfinals, with only one ticket from this match available for the HYLO ETTU Champions League Final 4 in Saarbrucken this May. That place ultimately went to KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki, who became the first team to secure qualification, leaving KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów without the place among the top four.
Bogoria progressed despite a narrow 2-3 defeat in the return leg, having built their advantage with a 3-1 win in the opening encounter. The decisive first-leg victory proved enough to carry them through a tightly contested all-Polish duel.
In the second leg, KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów opened strongly as Satoshi AIDA edged Marek BADOWSKI in five games, before Deni KOZUL doubled the lead by defeating Takuya JIN. Bogoria responded through Panagiotis GIONIS, who overcame Mateusz ZALEWSKI to keep the tie alive.
BADOWSKI then leveled the match by beating KOZUL in another five-game thriller, forcing a decisive final singles. AIDA sealed the 3-2 team victory for Orlicz Suchedniów with a dominant performance against JIN, but it was Bogoria who celebrated overall qualification.
“We knew it would be a very tough match and I think everyone was prepared for that. Suchedniów never gives up easily and it quickly became clear how close the encounter would be. After the first game, when Marek came very close, the pressure increased and the match became even more demanding. At 2-0 we understood that a win in my match could bring us back into the contest. ZALEWSKI played very well this time and I have to admit I was a bit lucky. In my opinion I did not play at my best level, but I managed to get through the match.
We also knew that Marek against KOZUL is always a 50-50 duel. In the end Marek showed greater confidence and secured the point. We worked very hard to reach the semifinal and we are extremely happy about it. Considering that we were missing our best player, Milos REDZIMSKI, we knew it would not be easy, which makes this success even more satisfying,” said Panagiotis GIONIS.
Return leg:
KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki – KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów (POL) 2-3
- Marek BADOWSKI – Satoshi AIDA 2-3 (11-9, 3-11, 8-11, 12-10, 4-6)
- Takuya JIN – Deni KOZUL 1-3 (12-14, 4-11, 11-6, 8-11)
- Panagiotis GIONIS – Mateusz ZALEWSKI 3-1 (11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9)
- Marek BADOWSKI – Deni KOZUL 3-2 (9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 6-2)
- Takuya JIN – Satoshi AIDA 0-3 (2-11, 0-11, 0-11)
KS Bank Spółdzielczy Orlicz 1924 Suchedniów (POL) – KS Orlen Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki 1–3
- Deni KOZUL – Marek BADOWSKI 2-3 (9–11, 12–10, 11–9, 9–11, 4–6)
- Seungmin CHO – Miłosz REDZIMSKI 3-1 (12–10, 6–11, 11–1, 12–10)
- Mateusz ZALEWSKI – Panagiotis GIONIS 1-3 (2–11, 2–11, 14–12, 4–11)
- Deni KOZUL – Miłosz REDZIMSKI 2-3 (1–11, 6–11, 11–7, 11–9, 2–6)
