After a year-long pause SKST PLUS Hodonín celebrate the title in the women’s top division again. They lost the last year’s final to Břeclav. This time they defeated TT Moravský Krumlov twice 5:1 at home and 5:4 away.
They dominated the first leg with two points from both Natalia PARTYKA and Karin GROFOVÁ and one from Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ. The return leg was far more even and a huge crowd saw a spectacular drama.
Coach of the home team Jindřich BÍLA used ace up his sleeve in the Japanese Mitsuki YOSHIDA which left Jekatěrina CHERNAVSKAYA on the bench. The experienced Japanese took her chance and won her first game against opponent’s number one Natalia PARTYKA. However the same happened on the other table. Home number one Bernadette BÁLINT lost to Karin GROFOVÁ. The game was tied up.
Then a big drama unfolded between Nikita PETROVOVÁ and a defender Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ. Petrovová played really patiently so much that it reached the time limit in the second set. And she eventually lost 1:3 with the referee counting exchanges. But wins from Bernadette BÁLINT and Mitsuki YOSHIDA kept Moravský Krumlov alive.
At 4:4 the home coach came in with a strategic move. He sent Jekatěrina CHERNAVSKAYA to play the deciding game against Karin GROFOVÁ. The Hodonín player really hoped to lift the trophy again after last year’s triumph in Břeclav colors. And she did it. After the title-winning point she jumped into the arms of her coach.
„It was so difficult but I fought for every ball. I’m incredibly happy. It has been less than four months since I gave birth to my son and now I’m celebrating the title again. I can’t believe it “ she smiled with a grin from ear to ear.
Bronze medal went to SKST Havířov.
1st match: SKST PLUS Hodonín A – TT Moravský Krumlov 5:1
Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ – Bernadett BÁLINT 1:3 (7 -8 -7 -12) Natalia PARTYKA – Jekatěrina CHERNAVSKAYA 3:0 (8 2 9) Karin GROFOVÁ – Nikita PETROVOVÁ 3:0 (5 7 14) Natalia PARTYKA – Bernadett BÁLINT 3:1 (7 -4 7 4) Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ – Nikita PETROVOVÁ 3:0 (4 3 8) Karin GROFOVÁ – Jekatěrina CHERNAVSKAYA 3:2 (10 7 -10 -4 w.o.).
2nd match: TT Moravský Krumlov – SKST PLUS Hodonín A 4:5
Mitsuki YOSHIDA – Natalia PARTYKA 3:1 (12 -9 9 7) Bernadett BÁLINT – Karin GROFOVÁ 2:3 (11 -11 7 -7 -4) Nikita PETROVOVÁ – Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ 1:3 (9 -7 -4 -9) Bernadett BÁLINT – Natalia PARTYKA 3:0 (5 7 16) Mitsuki YOSHIDA – Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ 3:0 (15 16 9) Nikita PETROVOVÁ – Karin GROFOVÁ 1:3 (7 -8 -6 -5) Bernadett BÁLINT – Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ 3:0 (8 4 8) Nikita PETROVOVÁ – Natalia PARTYKA 0:3 (-5 -7 -8) Jekatěrina CHERNAVSKAYA – Karin GROFOVÁ 1:3 (-2 7 -7 -11).
