Member Associations | 10 Oct 2021

Brunetti Castel Goffredo clinched fourth title in the Italian Super Cup

Brunetti Castel Goffredo won the fourth Italian Super Cup out of four editions of the event. In "Elia Mazzi" Table Tennis Hall they defeated 5-1 Polisportiva Bagnolese Panino LAB.

At the best of five singles, the local team, led by the coaches Alfonso LAGHEZZA and Robert STAMENKOVSKI started in the best way, thanks to the contribution of two international stars. Newcomer Romania's Bernadette SZOCS beat 3-0 Tian JING and Spain's Maria XIAO left the first game to Romania's defender Alina ZAHARIA, equalized the score in the second one and dominated in the last two.

In the clash between compatriots, SZOCS and ZAHARIA shared the first two sets and in the third the twice European team champion did not exploit four game points (10-6) and won in the fifth (11-10). In the fourth game SZOCS did not convert four game balls (10-7 and 11-10) and her adversary seized first opportunity occurred (11-12). In the final game she recovered from 3-0 down, changed sides 5-4 and never let herself be reached.

Russia's Olga VOROBEVA accounted for Gaia MONFARDINI 3-1 and scored the first point for Bagnolese. Then she failed to confirm herself and XIAO prevailed in straight games.

MONFARDINI saved seven game points in the second set and overcame Tian JING 3-2, allowing Castel Goffredo to celebrate the Super Cup. The players of Bagnolese, trained by Laurentiu Capra and Cristina Semenza, fought a lot, but not enough.

“I am happy because all the girls played well. It wasn't easy, but we wanted to win the fourth Super Cup. In the last match, MONFARDINI had a great comeback, showing her mental strength. The first match with our star SZOCS was very exciting for us and for our fans. She had to fight against her compatriot ZAHARIA, they know each other very well and their challenge was spectacular. XIAO confirmed to be a champion. We are a good team and this year we will try to achieve great goals, the first one was today,” said coach LAGHEZZA.

Maria XIAO - Alina ZAHARIA 3-1 (9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-5)

Bernadette SZOCS - Tian JING 3-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-7)

Gaia MONFARDINI - Olga VOROBEVA 1-3 (8-11, 11-5, 3-11, 9-11)

Bernadette SZOCS - Alina ZAHARIA 3-2 (11-9, 7-11, 12-10, 11-13, 11-6)

Maria XIAO - Olga VOROBEVA 3-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-3)

Gaia MONFARDINI - Tian JING 3-2 (9-11, 13-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-7)