The action in Groups A and D of the Champions League Women Stage 2 is complete, with the remaining matches in Groups B and C set to conclude by the end of the week. The knockout phase is scheduled to begin in January 2025.
Group A: SAINT-QUENTIN TT and KTS ENEA SIARKOPOL TARNOBRZEG Secure Quarterfinal Spots
SAINT-QUENTIN TT secured their progress to the quarterfinals with a second victory over Novi Sad. Camille LUTZ, Linda BERGSTRÖM, and Polina MIKHAILOVA delivered strong performances, defeating Tijana JOKIC, Aneta MAKSUTI, and Sara RADAK. While MAKSUTI managed to push BERGSTRÖM to a decisive game, the latter ultimately emerged victorious by death point.
“We are very happy to reach the quarterfinal. It was our goal in the group. It has been a tough couple of weeks, so we are happy to finish our last match of the year with a victory,” said LUTZ.
Meanwhile, reigning champions and four-time winners KTS ENEA SIARKOPOL TARNOBRZEG completed Stage 2 with a perfect record, winning all four matches in the group.
Group B: ttc berlin eastside and METZ TT Advance
In Group B, ttc berlin eastside will face SKST Plus Hodonín on Sunday. However, with three wins already, the German club has secured a quarterfinal spot, as has METZ TT, with two wins and two losses.
Group C: LINZ AG Froschberg Makes History
Austria’s LINZ AG Froschberg topped Group C, remaining unbeaten in Stage 2. They secured their final victory against ASD QUATTRO MORI, though not without challenges. Liemei HU delivered two victories for the Italian team, defeating Ivana MALOBABIC and Britt EERLAND. However, Suthasini SAWETTABUT, Ivana, and Britt all scored points to maintain their clean record.
“It is the first time in the history of the club that we pass this stage undefeated. I am so proud of the girls,” said Manager Günther RENNER.
Britt EERLAND reflected on the team’s performance:
“We did not expect to pass through this way. The clubs are very strong, and we had tough encounters and very close duels. But we showed a high level of play, great team spirit, and good communication with the coach. We felt like a team, supported each other, and constantly discussed tactics and improvements.
Even when we were down, we knew we could come back with support. Today, our coach changed our positions to help us win, which added extra pressure on me and SAWETTABUT. But as professionals, we must handle that. At the end, I’m happy we withstood the challenge. It’s nice to finish the stage with good feelings and thoughts about the quarterfinals and Christmas.”
In Group C, one match remains. Saint-Denis 93 TT will host ASD QUATTRO MORI on Friday. In the opening leg, the Italian team won 3-0.
Group D: UCAM Cartagena TM Dominates to Secure Second Place
UCAM Cartagena TM delivered a dominant performance to defeat Hungary’s Budaörsi Sport Club and secure their quarterfinal spot. Fei QI, Maria XIAO, and Sofia-Xuan ZHANG swept past Dora MADARASZ, Helga DARI, and Maria FAZEKAS without dropping a game.
“Overall, with the team we had for each match, I think it has been a positive competition so far. Against Etival, we didn’t have our number one player, so it was even harder to beat them. We were lucky she could play both matches against Budaörs and bring us to the next stage,” commented Maria XIAO.
Last year’s runners-up, French Etival ASR TT, had already secured first place in the group with a perfect four-win record. They will progress to the quarterfinals from the top position.
Group A
Novi Sad – SAINT-QUENTIN TT
- Tijana JOKIC – Camille LUTZ 1-3 (11-9, 5-11, 7-11, 5-11)
- Aneta MAKSUTI – Linda BERGSTRÖM 2-3 (8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 4-11, 5-6)
- Sara RADAK – Polina MIKHAILOVA 0-3 (7-11, 4-11, 2-11)
Group C
- ASD QUATTRO MORI – LINZ AG Froschberg 2-3
- Liemei HU – Ivana MALOBABIC 3-0 (11-2, 11-4, 11-4)
- Tania PLAIAN – Britt EERLAND 1-3 (9-11, 11-6, 7-11, 3-11)
- Miriam CARNOVALE – Suthasini SAWETTABUT 1-3 (5-11, 7-11, 12-10, 9-11)
- Liemei HU – Britt EERLAND 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 11-2)
- Tania PLAIAN- Ivana MALOBABIC 0-3 (8-11, 9-11, 6-11)
Group D
UCAM Cartagena TM – Budaörsi Sport Club 3-0
- Fei QI – Dora MADARASZ 3-0 (11-9, 11-3, 11-6)
- Maria XIAO – Helga DARI 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-6)
- Sofia-Xuan ZHANG – Maria FAZEKAS 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-7)
