The concluding ECLW round of group stage will be held on December 16th and 18th
There are just four games to play in the group stage of the 2016/17 European Champions League Women. Seven out of eight quarter-finalists booked their places so far – TTC Berlin Eastside Linz AG Froschberg UCAM Cartagena Szekszard AC ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly Metz TT and KTS Siarka ZOT Tarnobrzeg. The ultimate one will be decided in the Round 6 match between TT Saint Quentin and Postas Sport Egyesulet (December 16th 19:30 CET) but it could say that French side is 99 % certain needing just two sets.
TT Saint Quentin manager Jean-Louis POLARD is aware how big score his side achieved in Hungary six weeks ago – 3:0 (9:1) saying that in spite of all circumstances they weren’t able to beat reigning ECLW champion in the previous round:
“We flew to Germany with our best possible team to play against the 2017 ECLW favourite. As SHAN Xiaona was away and Petrissa SOLJA had a foot operation both coaches played tactics. RAN Li Kath was N°2 for Saint-Quentin and Daniela MONTEIRO-DODEAN and Petrissa were both N°3. First Georgina POTA had a rough time with RAN (who used to play for Berlin some years ago): she only won 11:8 in the 5th set after the best rally of the match at 9:8. Then U21 Yui HAMAMOTO N°5 easily beat U21 ZENG Jian N°8 in 3 quick sets. After the break Daniela MONTEIRO faced Petrissa SOLJA and she was leading 2 sets to nil (11:9 14:12) when the German player quit. The Romanian’s victory was a way to celebrate Great Union Day the Romanian’s National Day on December 1st. Unfortunately Singaporean ZENG Jian was in bad shape and couldn’t avoid another defeat by Gina POTA. Anyway just two sets to go on December 16th (Round 6) and we’ll wait for December 21st.”
In Group B two times ECLW winner Linz AG Froschberg hosts ECLW newcomer TuS bad Driburg. Austrian side secured top spot in this group while German team regardless the score will stay on 3rd place.
Szekszard AC and ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly will fight for the top position in Group C. But Hungarian club needs just three sets to defend the top spot.
Metz TT and SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin will conclude competition in the Group D but the score will not change anything: French side stays at second place while Czech club finishes third.
ECLW Round 6 December 15-16th
GROUP A Dec 16 19:30 CET: TT Saint Quentin – Postas Sport Egyesulet
GROUP B Dec 18 16:00 CET: Linz AG Froschberg – TuS bad Driburg
GROUP C Dec 18 16:00 CET: Szekszard AC – ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly
GROUP D Dec 16 19:25 CET: Metz TT – SKST Stavoimpex Hodonin
