In a dramatic match MUSEO DE LA ALMENDRA FRANCISCO MORALES succeeded in winning the opening leg of the Europe Cup Women semi-final against CSM Constanta after several dramatic turns of events.
In Spain the hosts recorded two opening match wins before the real drama began. Meng JIAQI overcame Alina MUSAT ZAHARIA in straight matches while Marija GALONJA widened the gap with a win over Elena ZAHARIA in four games.
However Bianca MEI ROSU changed the course of the duel by defeating Patricia SANTOS after a long five-game match to narrow the gap. Elena ZAHARIA continued in the same style but more effectively needing only three games to beat the Chinese player Meng JIAQI.
Marija GALONJA and Alina MUSAT continued to keep the fans on the edge of their seats in the decisive match. Alina initially had the advantage but GALONJA recovered to level the score and win the third game for a lead. Once again ZAHARIA leveled before GALONJA dominated in the decisive game.
“It was a tough match! We knew it would be complicated and I’m glad we managed to win 3:2. This time I managed to win both matches against two very good players so I’m very satisfied. Although this is only the first leg in two weeks we play in Romania where it will surely be equally difficult. But we’re fighting forward giving our all to reach the desired final ” said GALONJA.
There were several turnarounds.
“Yes it could have been 3:0 for us. Patricia led 1:0 and 6:1 in the third match. In my last match with Alina it was really tense. I played against her only once and lost 3:1. This is the second time we’ve played and now I won 3:1. Against her I knew I had to give more than 100 percent to beat her ” said GALONJA.
MUSEO DE LA ALMENDRA FRANCISCO MORALES – CSM Constanta 3-2
Meng JIAQI – Alina MUSAT (ZAHARIA) 3-0 (11-4 11-5 11-9)
Marija GALONJA – Elena ZAHARIA 3-1 (11-4 8-11 11-8 11-8)
Patricia SANTOS – Bianca MEI ROSU 2-3 (11-9 8-11 11-6 7-11 3-6)
Meng JIAQI – Elena ZAHARIA 0-3 (8-11 5-11 8-11)
Marija GALONJA – Alina MUSAT (ZAHARIA) 3-2 (4-11 11-8 11-8 6-11 6-1)
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