After the amazing season just concluded, Linz AG Froschberg wants nothing more than confirmation of European and national title. But, the biggest domestic rival SVS STROCK and some other Women’s ECL participants have the highest possible aims too. Linz`s ,
After the amazing season just concluded, Linz AG Froschberg wants nothing more than confirmation of European and national title. But, the biggest domestic rival SVS STROCK and some other Women’s ECL participants have the highest possible aims too.
Linz`s manager Gunther RENNER recalls that his club – now 14 times national champion and 2009 and 2013 WECL winner – has not been considered as one of two favorites last WECL season, being no.3 seed, behind 2011/12 finalists, Berlin Eastside and SVS STROCK. “We are very satisfied with last season, especially with our second WECL title. In the group stage everything has worked smoothly until the last round in Berlin. After 3:1 home win against Germans we wanted to confirm top spot prior the knock out phase, but we missed it. However, we went to the semis where Budaorsi 2i SC surprisingly eliminated reigning champion Berlin”.
RENNER emphasizes that Froschberg would beat SVS STROCK no matter in which line-up they play, but he agrees that his team had much easier job than it expected (Schwechat`s club played without DODEAN and LI). After 3:1 away win in first final leg at Hungary, Linz`s girls were faced with totally unexpected challenge in the rematch. “The ultimate clash brought us a huge interest of our supporters and media. Over 500 fans were inside Linz Sportpark Lissfeld, despite live coverage on LAOLA1 and ORF Sport. Everyone expected that LIU Jia & Company will do it easily, but things turned out quite differently”. Hungarians managed to lead 2:0 and after SOLJA moved us to 1:2, MADARASZ won 11:0 the opening set against LIU Jia. The hall was very quiet, only a few still believed in success. LIU somehow turned the match and prevent big sensation.
Linz manager is looking forward to new WECL season. “With the new regulations which guarantee the best of the best teams, we should have the very exciting season. It means that everyone can beat everyone. You can just imagine how hard could be to win WECL which have Linz AG Froschberg with LIU Jia, Iveta VACENOVSKA, Petrissa SOLJA and Sofia POLCANOVA, Berlin Eastside with SHAN Xiaona, Irene IVANCAN, Georgina POTA and Kristine SILBEREISEN, SVS STROCK with Daniela DODEAN, Petra LOVAS and LI Fen, KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg with LI Qian, HAN Ying, Margaryta PESOTSKA and JIA Jun, Fenerbahce with SAMARA, PAVLOVIC and HU Melek… But, of course, clubs like St. Quentin, Foto Prix or Cartagena, Evromost could be hot candidates, knowing that some clubs have not yet revealed their cards. We look forward to best WECL season ever, with big and exciting games and aim to defend the title. But, I repeat: the competition will be fierce and full of surprises”..
