Champions League Women | 20 Mar 2019

ECLW semi-finals: Everything is open after first leg

This Friday (Mar 22) and Sunday (Mar 24) second leg to be held: Tarnobrzeg – Linz (3:1), Dr. CASL – Berlin (2:3). PALINA (Berlin): “Maybe, we can advance…”. HAN (Tarnobrzeg): “I believe we can do it”. POLCANOVA (Linz): “We can be dangerous…”

 

Second games of the ECLW semi-finals will be held this Friday and Sunday, March 22-24, as two-times runner up KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg faces former double winner Linz AG Froschberg (1st leg 3:1), while actual ECLW champion Dr. CASL hosts four-time winner TTC Berlin Eastside (1st leg 2:3).

 

"In our opinion Linz AG is still very good and dangerous team, because of world top player as number one in Europe Sofia POLCANOVA, as well as SOO Wai Yam Minnie, bronze medallist of WTCC. Besides Linda BERGSTROM is in top shape now. Nothing is decided yet, match will be very difficult, but I hope it will be also great show for spectators", stated Zbigniew NECEK, coach of Poland’s club.

 

Tarnobrzeg’s leading player for years, HAN Ying expects hard clash against Austrian club:

 

"I am good prepared for the match, will do everything to win every single point and support my team. Of course, we have great chance to qualify to the final, our club is strong, but opponent's too. Anyway, I believe we can do it".

 

Sofia POLCANOVA lost her game against Elizabeta SAMARA, playing as no. 3 in the line-up. Actual world no. 17 promises big fight in Poland:

 

“If we are fit, ready and have a good day we can win also 3:0, we can be dangerous for Tarnobrzeg also, no opponent is absolutely safe against our team and if we start good the pressure for the home team will rise and rise...”

 

Linda BERGSTROM (won unique point for Linz in leg 1) has added:

“I`m well prepared, I hope I can bring again my peak performance on the table to support my team with as much points as possible.”

 

Linz president Günther RENNER reminds that the ECLW history is full of close results and upsets:

 

“The team was very much down after the first game but got back the mental set up already. Ok, 1:3 is heavy, but we know return matches brought many surprises in the recent years, although it would be a big surprise if LINZ AG Froschberg gets up to the finals this year.”

 

Reigning ECLW champion Dr. CASL gained new confidence after successful performance in the Croatian Cup. TTC Berlin Eastside Irina PALINA stressed that she didn’t expect victory in the first leg:

 

“Before the first semi-final match I didn’t really believe that it is possible. The girls were more optimistic. Now I think: maybe it’s somehow can happen! It would be very nice!”

 

ECWL semi-finals, leg 2

 

KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg – Linz AG Froschberg (March 22nd, 18:00) leg 1 3:1

Dr. CASL – TTC Berlin Eastside (March 24th, 19:00) leg 1 2:3