At the end of a demanding season, Brunetti Castel Goffredo secured their ninth consecutive women’s title and 22nd overall Italian championship. After finishing the regular season in second place, they overcame league leaders Tennistavolo Norbello in the playoff finals. The triumph was all the more impressive considering their top player, Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS, was unavailable due to her participation in the World Cup in Macao. The trophy was presented by FITeT councilor Raffaele CURCIO.
In the first leg, played at home, the reigning champions claimed a 4–2 win. Andreea DRAGOMAN delivered a standout performance, handing Hana MATELOVA her first loss of the season and later defeating TAN Wenling. Nikoleta STEFANOVA and Nicole ARLIA also contributed with wins over Poland’s Magdalena SIKORSKA. Although TAN and MATELOVA responded with victories over ARLIA and STEFANOVA, it wasn’t enough for Norbello.
The second leg, held in Sardinia, confirmed DRAGOMAN’s superb form as she once again defeated MATELOVA and added a second victory over SIKORSKA. Norbello, relying on all three of their players, took a 3–2 lead. That left ARLIA with the responsibility of the final singles match. Despite being only 19, she showed exceptional composure and maturity, staging a comeback against TAN—who had beaten her in the first leg—to seal the championship for Castel Goffredo.
“This year,” said coach Alfonso LAGHEZZA proudly, “we had to fight tooth and nail through many challenges, and the girls were fantastic—even when they lost matches. They never gave up and kept pushing to the end. In the finals, we had already accomplished a masterpiece in the first leg and continued believing in the second. We’re thrilled, especially considering that our No. 1, Bernadette SZOCS, couldn’t play.
“I give enormous credit to all the girls, including Anastasiia KOLISH, who didn’t play but supported the team during training and helped wherever she could. Andreea DRAGOMAN was our driving force in the finals, finally showing all her talent. We never doubted her—she stepped up and repaid our trust. Nikoleta STEFANOVA’s experience was also crucial, both on and off the table, keeping us focused in the toughest moments. Nicole ARLIA was extraordinary—playing under so much pressure at her age and defeating an athlete like TAN Wenling is truly special, especially after losing the first match and the opening game in the second leg. She understood the responsibility and rose to the occasion. That last match demanded everything from her—physical, mental, and above all, tactical effort. Facing TAN is never easy. When we learned that Bernie wouldn’t be available, we accepted it, and from day one, I told the team we could do it—and that Andreea would be our No. 1.
“Congratulations to Tennistavolo Norbello, who were worthy opponents all season long.”
First leg: BRUNETI CASTEL GOFFREDO – TENNISTAVOLO NORBELLO 4-2
- Andreea DRAGOMAN – Hana MATELOVA 3-1 (11-7, 3-11, 11-5, 11-6)
- Nikoleta STEFANOVA – Magdalena SIKORSKA 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 11-6)
- Nicole ARLIA – TAN Wenling 1-3 (11-4, 7-11, 8-11, 5-11)
- Nikoleta STEFANOVA – Hana MATELOVA 0-3 (6-11, 6-11, 8-11)
- Andreea DRAGOMAN – TAN Wenling 3-1 (11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6)
- Nicole ARLIA – Magdalena SIKORSKA 3-0 (11-5, 11-7, 11-5)
Second leg: TENNISTAVOLO NORBELLO – BRUNETI CASTEL GOFFREDO 3-3
- Hana MATELOVA – Andreea DRAGOMAN 0-3 (8-11, 7-11, 10-12)
- Magdalena SIKORSKA – Nicole ARLIA 3-0 (11-9, 11-4, 11-5)
- TAN Wenling – Nikoleta STEFANOVA 3-1 (11-7, 6-11, 15-13, 11-6)
- Magdalena SIKORSKA – Andreea DRAGOMAN 1-3 (6-11, 11-4, 8-11, 7-11)
- Hana MATELOVA – Nikoleta STEFANOVA 3-1 (11-5, 11-3, 7-11, 11-2)
- TAN Wenling – Nicole ARLIA 1-3 (11-8, 8-11, 6-11, 7-11)
