KTS ENEA SIARKOPOL TARNOBRZEG is one stage away from claiming their fourth crown in the Champions League Women the third in a row. Tonight they overcame the two-time winners and three-time runners-up LINZ AG Froschberg. After a 3-0 victory in the away match in Austria Poland’s champions were pushed to the limit tonight.
In the opening duel Xiaoxin YANG managed to withstand Sofia POLCANOVA’s spirited comeback from 0-2 to 2-2 ultimately winning the decisive game.
In another closely contested match FU Yu held a 2-1 advantage against Suthasini SAWETTABUT before the player from Thailand recovered to win the match nullifying TARNOBRZEG’s advantage.
Elizabeta SAMARA won the key duel against Anastasia STERNER RADZIONAVA. With a 2-1 and 3-0 victory in the opening leg the champions secured their spot in the final.
“We expected that they would challenge us fiercely; they were fighting for every ball. The key match was the opening one between Xiaoxin YANG and Sofia POLCANOVA. Xiaoxin showed incredible mental strength winning the first two games 13-11 each. Even when Sofia managed to level the score Xiaoxin performed fantastically. I had a slow start but after the opening set I got into the rhythm and secured the victory for the final. We won and now we are very happy to reach another final in the Champions League ” said Elizabeta SAMARA.
In the final KTS ENEA SIARKOPOL TARNOBRZEG will meet the winner of the match between SKST Plus Hodonín and ETIVAL ASRTT.
Second leg
KTS ENEA SIARKOPOL TARNOBRZEG – LINZ AG Froschberg 3-2
Xiaoxin YANG- Sofia POLCANOVA 3-2 (13-11 13-11 8-11 8-11 6-4)
Fu YU- Suthasini SAWETTABUT 2-3 (9-11 11-4 11-5 8-11 3-6)
Elizabeta SAMARA – Anastasia STERNER RADZIONAVA (9-11 11-4 11-8 11-7)
Xiaoxin YANG- Suthasini SAWETTABUT 2-3 (5-11 9-11 11-8 11-7 4-6)
Fu YU- Andrea PAVLOVIC 3-0 (11-8 11-5 11-7)
Opening leg
LINZ AG Froschberg- KTS ENEA SIARKOPOL TARNOBRZEG 0-3
Sofia POLCANOVA – Fu YU 0-3 (7-11 8-11 8-11)
Ivana MALOBABIC – Xiaoxin YANG 0-3 (3-11 4-11 4-11)
Suthasini SAWETTABUT – Elizabeta SAMARA 2-3 (13-11 8-11 7-11 11-6 5-6)