HIRICI: Both teams will be under pressure

Tigem SC Ankara in Women’s ETTU Cup semis

 

Tigem SC Ankara beat Russia’s TTC Kazan in Turkey Earlier in March in the opening leg of the Women’s ETTU Cup. Now they will have harder task to justify their success in Russia.

 

In the opening leg Cristina Alina HIRICI won both her matches against Anna BLAZHKO and Antonina SAVELYEVA.

 

“I expect the forthcoming match will be very close and both teams will be under severe pressure. It is going to be very hard to play it. However we have the huge advantage The opening leg victory burst our self confidence and it will help us there. We will give everything to reach the final” said HIRICI.

 

Zoia NOVIKOVA overcame Antonina SAVELYEVA in previous match.

 

“The match in Russia will be difficult but I hope it will be interesting. It will not be easy to play in the new hall. When you play at home in the conditions you are used to with many supporters it is a big thing at such level of play ” explained NOVIKOVA.

 

Manager Salih İNCE was cautious.

 

“We have won first match at home 3-1. The score line looks nice but we are sure that we can not be relaxed. On this level of event we must stay focused on each ball. We have seen so many times that even one point could be vital. The match will be very tough. Kazan will perform much better on home soil and we will be prepared for that.”

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The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) is the governing body of the sport of table tennis in Europe, and is the only authority recognized for this purpose by the International Table Tennis Federation. The ETTU deals with all matters relating to table tennis at a European level, including the development and promotion of the sport in the territories controlled by its 58 member associations, and the organization of continental table tennis competitions, including the European Championships.

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