Europe Cup Women | 20 Jan 2023

ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly won the Golden match

ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly moved to the semifinal of the Europe Cup Women. They won the opening leg, but then they lost second match against SKST Plus Hodonin. Czech team’s brave effort was rewarded with another chance. The clubs moved to the Golden match. Even in that duel ALCL TT Grand-Quevilly did not won easily.

Natalia PARTYKA was unbeaten in first match. She overcame Isa COK (11:3, 11:9, 8:11, 7:11, 6:5) and LI Samson (11:8, 6:11, 11:5, 13:11). Karin GROFOVA added third point to the scoreline after victory over LI Samosm (11:8, 9:11, 11:9, 11:4), whilst Anais SALPIN won one for French side. She beat Marketa SEVCIKOVA (7:11, 12:10, 6:11, 11:8).

In Golden match GROFOVA beat SALPIN 11:6, COK beat PARTYKA 11:8 and LI beat SEVCIKOVA 11:6.

"It was a very interesting match. We were losing 0:2 and it was very important that Anis SALPIN won her singles match. This made us mentally stronger. But in the end everything was decided by the Golden Match. It was a completely new experience for me and I must say that we were under a lot of pressure. I lost my match, I didn't feel very well. But my teammates won the sets and we are very satisfied with advancing to the semi-finals," explained COK.

Jaroslav MIKESKA, coach SKST Hodonín added: "We fulfilled the goal we set before this match. We won 3:1 and forced the Golden Match. When it comes to that point it is a big lottery to win it. It is impossible to tactic, there is no time out and everything happens very quickly. The only thing we didn't want was Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ to play with Li Samson. It happened, and to made it even worse it happened in the deciding game. It was a great pity.”

Italian Quattro Mori Cagliari and Czech Moravsky Krumlov already secured their semi-final’s spots. On 28^th January Spanish Tecnigen Linares and Hungarian SH-ITB Budaörsi Sport Club will play last quarterfinal to decide on last semifinalists.