Upcoming September 6th will be a very special day for Tarnobrzeg, the city with about 50,000 inhabitants in South-Eastern Poland. Although football, basketball and volleyball have their teams (but in lower leagues), table tennis is unique sport able to se,
Upcoming September 6th will be a very special day for Tarnobrzeg, the city with about 50,000 inhabitants in South-Eastern Poland. Although football, basketball and volleyball have their teams (but in lower leagues), table tennis is unique sport able to secure top European spotlights there. Thanks to five-time ETTU-Cup finalist,KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg, the debut in Women’s European Champions League, versus 2012/13 runner-up, Hungarian Budaorsi 2i SC, will be an absolute event.
Table tennis has a long history in this city. Zbigniew NECEK is working here for 25 years, writing a new page of women’s table tennis history in Poland. He is probably the most recognizable person in the town. Before „NECEK’s era” there was a men’s team with many successes in Polish League and best Polish players used to play at Tarnobrzeg Club (Andrzej DOMICZ, Andrzej JAKUBOWICZ, Leszek KUCHARSKI). But now ladies dominate. The best women’s achievements, beside 5 ETTU Cup finals, are Polish League Winner for 22 times (first 15 and last 7 in a row).
Last spring the club played again ETTU Cup final, losing from Turkish Fenerbahce Sport Club (0:3, 1:3) which is now clear favourite for the WECL title. The same names will fight for Zamek in WECL premiere, with all three line-up players among Top 50 of ITTF world ranking-list: LI Qian no. 37, Margaryta PESOTSKA no. 45, HAN Ying no. 48 (Renata STRBIKOVA is no. 77).
“We wanted to play ETTU Cup again and we didn’t plan to play Women’s European Champions League, but as you know, ETTU has changed regulations. ETTU Cup was great opportunity to show up top European and World players to our spectators, sponsors and fans, but WECL formula is quite different, so we will have new, valuable experience this season”, stressed Zbigniew NECEK, coach and manager of KTS Zamek`s.
– What do you expect from WECL and what is the club’s aim in upcoming season?
“At least 3rd place in Group stage of WECL and then maybe winning – finally – ETTU Cup. In Polish League, first place of course.”
-How many spectators do you expect on your WECL games?
“We play in the municipal hall for different sports and as well for other events, capacity is about 1,800 spectators. We expect as much as possible. For the first match probably over 1,000”.
– What do you know about your WECL opponents (reigning champion Linz AG Froschberg, 2012/13 finalist Budaorsi 2i SC and Tyumen)?
“We know those players from different tournaments. We played against Linz before but never versus two further clubs”.
– Who is the favourite for WECL crown?
“Fenerbahce Sport Club definitively”!
– What is the Zamek`s long-term goal?
“To win WECL hopefully””!
