Champions League Women | 7 Apr 2017

Tarnobrzeg and Berlin set for the repeat of 2016 ECLW final

Returning semi-final matches: KTS Siarka ZOT Tarnobrzeg – Szekszard AC 3:0, TTC Berlin Eastside – Linz AG Froschberg 3:0

 

Two top seeds, TTC Berlin Eastside and KTS Siarka ZOT Tarnonrzeg will play back-to-back final of the European Champions League Women, as they both won 3:0 their returning semi-final legs: triple ECLW winner and reigning champion from Germany overcame Austrian giant Linz AG Froschberg, while the best Polish club beat Hungarian Szekszard AC.

 

Berlin won 3:0, but all three matches have been decided after full five games. Moreover, Froschberg`s players led 2:1 in each encounter. Last year, ECLW record holder from Germany eliminated Linz after 3:2, 3:1 wins.

 

Berlin`s key player in the first leg, SHAN Xiaona faced more problems than she expected in the opener against ZHANG Mo. One of the decisive moments for the entire clash emerged in late fourth set which SHAN reached by narrow margin.

 

LIU Jia started confidently against Petrissa SOLJA, taking first two sets. But, host gained some good energy and confidence with an early run (6:1) in the third set. Since that moment SOLJA - recently recovered from elbow injury - played much better and fully deserved victory.

 

Georgina POTA prevailed against Sofia POLCANOVA, this time after full five games. Host cemented her victory in the middle of fifth set, by five consecutive points. Four weeks ago, she beat POLCANOVA in straight games.

 

Polish champion Tarnobrzeg booked its place in the final second time in a row, by 6-1 aggregate win over Hungary`s Szekszard. HAN Ying paved the way to Tarnobrzeg`s victory, as he beat Dora MADARASZ in straight games.

 

After Victoria PAVLOVICH`s win over Polina MIKHAILOVA, host team mathematically confirmed its place in the final. Former double individual European champion have been stretched to full distance, but won after exhausting fight.

 

LI Qian concluded the clach by her victory against LIN Ye.

 

2016/17 ECLW semi-final, returning games

 

KTS Siarka ZOT Tarnobrzeg – Szekszard AC 3:0 (1st leg 3:1)

HAN Ying - Dora MADARASZ 3:0 (11:7, 11:8, 11:4)

Victoria PAVLOVICH - Polina MIKHAILOVA 3:2 (9:11, 11:9, 11:13, 11:9, 11:8)

LI Qian - LIN Ye 3:1 (11:4, 11:4, 4:11, 11:6)

 

TTC Berlin Eastside – Linz AG Froschberg 3:0 (1st leg 3:2)

SHAN Xiaona – ZNANG Mo 3:2 (11:6, 10:12, 4:11, 12:10, 11:8)

Petrissa SOLJA – LIU Jia 3:2 (11:13, 6:11, 11:7, 11:7, 11:8)

Georgina POTA – Sofia POLCANOVA 3:2 (11:3, 9:11, 5:11, 11:7, 11:6)