Top seed of 2013/14 Women`s European Champions League, Fenerbahce, and the 2012 WECL champion, Berlin, have advantage after first semi-final games: KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg – Fenerbahce 2:3, TTC Berlin Eastside – Linz AG Froschberg 3:1. Returning matches will,
Top seed of 2013/14 Women`s European Champions League, Fenerbahce, and the 2012 WECL champion, Berlin, have advantage after first semi-final games: KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg – Fenerbahce 2:3, TTC Berlin Eastside – Linz AG Froschberg 3:1. Returning matches will be held on January 25th (Linz) and 26th (Istanbul).
In the reprise of 2012/13 ETTU Cup final, Turkish champion confirmed its dominancy against the best Polish club. Zamek hoped that HAN Ying, triple medalist from 2013 LIEBHERR European Championships could continue her winning streak (9-0 in group stage), but she suffered her very first loss against former individual champion of Old Continent Viktoria PAVLOVICH. Great Bielorussian used to be unsolved problem for Zamek`s player.
HAN Ying brought opening lead to Zamek, beating Elisabeta SAMARA in four games. Viktoria PAVLOVICH easily leveled on 1:1 against Margaryta PESOTSKA, losing just 17 points in total.
When Renata SRBIKOVA managed to beat the most successful Fenerbahce`s player in group stage, CHING I-Cheng, new hope was born for host team. But, PAVLOVICH was brilliant against HAN, bringing new fast win for her side.
Finally, Elisabeta SAMARA provided the victory for Turkish champion, overcoming Margaryta PESOTSKA in five games.
Berlin`s clash was opened by actual European vice-champion SHAN Xiaona and the 2005 ECH gold medalist LIU Jia. Linz`s player won in four sets. Third (1:5, 8:8) and fourth (8:9, 10:9, 13:11) were most exiting. In last game LIU got self confidence after four points in a row (0:2, 4:2) keeping that distance until the end.
Other encounters belonged to Berlin`s squad. Georgina POTA beat Iveta VACENOVSKA (3:1), after long fight in third set, Irene IVANCAN brought first lead to Berlin, defeating Petrissa SOLJA (3:1) and winning point took SHAN against VACENOVSKA.
The 2012 WECL champion, Berlin expects rematch with huge advantage (3:1, 11:5 in sets), while reigning champion suffered its first loss in last one and half year. However, Linz is able to beat any European side in straight games, so great battle is guaranteed on Austrian soil.
Women`s European Champions League semi-final (1st leg)
KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg – Fenerbahce 2:3
HAN Ying – Elisabeta SAMARA 3:1 (11:7, 11:3, 3:11, 11:3)
Margaryta PESOTSKA – Viktoria PAVLOVICH 0:3 (9:11, 2:11, 6:11)
Renata SRBIKOVA – CHING I-Cheng 3:2 (11:8, 7:11, 11:4, 9:11, 11:6)
HAN Ying – Viktoria PAVLOVICH 0:3 (9:11, 8:11, 6:11)
Margaryta PESOTSKA – Elisabeta SAMARA 2:3 (4:11, 11:7, 10:12, 11:7, 10:12)
TTC Berlin Eastside – Linz AG Froschberg 3:1
SHAN Xiaona – LIU Jia 2:3 (7:11, 11:7, 9:11, 13:11, 9:11)
Georgina POTA – Iveta VACENOVSKA 3:1 (7:11, 11:9, 14:12, 11:9)
Irene IVANCAN – Petrissa SOLJA 3:1 (12:10, 5:11, 11:9, 11:4)
SHAN Xiaona – Iveta VACENOVSKA 3:0 (11:1, 11:9, 11:6)
