Champions League Women | 29 Apr 2016
ECLW 1st final leg: Zamek vs. Berlin 2:3
Photo: Courtesy ITTF
Polish side led twice, but German champion survived thanks to SHAN Xiaona who won two games. SOLJA beat PARTYKA in the fifth encounter
Double ECLW champion TTC Berlin Eastside, the 2012 and 2014 winner, beat away KTS Spar Zamek Tarnobrzeg 3:2 (9:9) in the 1st final leg of the 2015/16 ECLW final. Polish champion led twice, but top seed in the ongoing season survived thanks to outstanding SHAN Xiaona who won both her matches.
Two members of German national team met in the opener, as HAN Ying overcame Petrissa SOLJA in straight games. The first two sets were intense, especially opening one which HAN managed to conclude with four points in a row (8:10, 12:10), saving two set balls. After two thrilling games in favor of her opponent, SOLJA had no energy to respond sharply in the third one. It was a big starting advantage for Zamek, 3:0 victory of well known defensive player.
Natalya PARTIKA stretched SHAN Xiaona to full distance, after exciting fourth set with many upside downs (5:5, 9:5, 9:9). Guest saved two set balls, but host converted third one to 2:2 score. The fifth set belonged to SHAN thanks to four consecutive points at the beginning (2:2, 2:6).
LI Qian provided new lead to the host side. She prevailed against Georgina POTA in straight very close games (all three were unfolded after 9:9). Hungarian player missed one set ball in the second set.
SHAN improved her season`s record to 12-1, defeating her team mate from German national team HAN in four games. Crucial moment emerged in late third set, when guest saved set ball (10:9, 10:12). Host managed to recover after bad start in the fourth game (1:5, 7:7), but SHAN again showed her best table tennis in decisive moments.
Finally, SOLJA beat PARTYKA in straight games to secure 3:2 for Berlin. Host player missed a set ball in the opening game.
Returning match will be held in Berlin, on May 27th.
The 2015/16 ECLW final, 1st leg
KTS SPAR Zamek Tarnobrzeg – TTC Berlin Eatside 2:3 (9:9)
HAN Ying – Petrissa SOLJA 3:0 (12:10, 11:9, 11:2)
Natalia PARTYKA – SHAN Xiaona 2:3 (11:8, 8:11, 7:11, 13:11, 7:11)
LI Qian – Georgina POTA 3:0 (12:10, 14:12, 11:9)
HAN Ying – SHAN Xiaona 1:3 (7:11, 11:5, 10:12, 8:11)
Natalia PARTYKA – Petrissa SOLJA 0:3 (11:13, 2:11, 8:11)
