Champions League Women | 30 Nov 2017

Seamaster ECLW Round 5: Dr. CASL aim to extend win streak

Photo: Courtesy Dr. CASL

Croatian club won 62 consecutive games in all competitions, facing Hungary`s Szekszard in Zagreb this Sunday (Dec 3rd). Three more matches to be held on Friday and Saturday: Tarnobrzeg – Lille, Bursa – Cartagena, Berlin – Saint Quentinois

Three out of four Seamaaster ECLW favorites will fight to complete the group stage unbeaten, entering Round 5 scheduled from Friday to Sunday (Dec 1-3rd). They are top seed Tarnobrzeg (Group A), no. 3 seed Dr. CASL (Group C) and no. 4 seed Bursa (Group B). Current no. 2 seed and reigning champion Berlin is determined to confirm Group D top spot, playing on its soil against Saint Quentinois.

Croatian Dr. CASL beat ALCL Grand-Quevilly last week to extend its winning streak to 62, counting all competitions. They hope to reach 64th victory this Sunday against Szekszard. A day before they will host STK Hodosan in Croatian Super League.

“We recorded our 62nd win in a row last week in France in last three seasons. Counting four different competitions: Seamaster ECLW, Croatian Super League, Croatian Cup and European Super League. Our aim is stay unbeaten until the end of the first half-season. From the very beginning of the 2018 we will face much bigger challenges, especially in the Seamaster ECLW quarter-finals”, stated President of Croatian side, Martin Tino CASL.

Dr. CASL fought with injuries and other problems on the eve of match in France. LI Jie was forced to cancel her participation due to personal reasons, while her replacement Dorina SREBRNJAK suffered an injury night before the trip to France.

“I hope bad time is behind us and we`ll be able to play with our best line-up. As we have to play 42 games in four different competitions until the end of the season, we need players in their best condition. Even more, they are on disposal of their national teams (Hong Kong, Netherlands, Portugal, Croatia and Slovenia) playing many ITTF tournaments as well. It`s obvious how our schedule is overloaded. It`s a kind of my fault caused by my wish to decorate this season - 10th since I took over the club - with all four possible trophies: Croatian Super League and Cup, European Super League and, the highest possible achievement in the club`s table tennis: Seamaster ECWL title.

Tarnobrzeg, no. 1 seed and twice in a row runner-up, hosts 2016 ETTU Cup Women winner Lille Metropole in the Group A. Poland`s team aims its fourth consecutive victory in the ongoing season, while French side seeks win to secure quarter-final berth.

The same situation is in the Group B, where Bursa welcomes UCAM Cartagena. Turkish is determined to extend its winning streak to 4-0 whilst Spanish club is going to fight for its very first win in order to keep the chance for the knockout phase.

Defending champion Berlin has been upset by Hodoning in the Round 4, traveling to Czech Republic without SHAN Xiaona and Petrissa SOLJA. Now Irina PALINA`s side is determined to beat Saint Qientionis to confirm the top spot in Group D.

2017/18 Seamaster ECLW, Round 5

GROUP A: KTS Tarnobrzeg - CP LYSSOIS LILLE METROPOLE (Dec 01, 18:00 CET)

GRPOUP B: BURSA BÜYÜKŞEHİR BELEDİYESPOR - UCAM Cartagena TM (Dec 02, 17:00 CET)