Champions League Women | 1 Dec 2022

STK Novi Sad joined Metz TT in the quarterfinals

In Group B of the Women’s Champions League Serbia’s Novi Sad joined Metz TT in the quarterfinal. Novi Sad beat SKST Plus Hodonin in Czech Republic to recorded second victory in the Group. Novi Sad beat Hodonin in both legs, whilst Metz recorded all four wins.

"For the first time in the history of the club, we made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, so we are very happy. The home match against Hodonín, which we won 3:0, was very important for our success. But we also came here to win. Two games were enough for us to advance, but a win is better. We were the stronger team, the win at the end of the second game of the match between Aneta MAKSZUTI and Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ was very important. Then the huge weight and pressure fell off us, it was a good match from both sides," said Novi Sad coach Slobodan STOJANOV.

The key player in winners side was Anamaria ERDELYI with two wins over Natalia PARTYKA (12:10, 11:8, 5:11, 11:8) and Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ (9:11, 11:7, 11:7, 11:2). At the beginning Aneta MAKSZUTI beat Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ (14:16, 12:10, 11:3, 15:13). Karin GROFOFA scored for HODONIN. She overcame Tijana JOKIC (10:12, 8:11, 11:8, 20:18, 6:3).

SKST Plus Hodonín coach Jaroslav MIKESKA said: "We had a very difficult task. To advance we needed to win three times 3:0. That's why we subordinated the line up to this goal. I believed that Natalia PARTYKA had the best chance against ERDELYI. In the end, everything was different. The key moment was the end of the second set of the first singles. As soon as MAKSZUTI won the set, she calmed down and was better."

This is historical achievement for Novi Sad. It is the first time since the new format of Champions League that Serbia’s club reached the Top 8. Previously in 1967, 55 years ago, Novi Sad reached the quarterfinal of the Cup of European Champions. Further back in history Serbia’s Coka reached the semifinal of the same competition at the end of 1970.