Champions League Men | 8 Mar 2014

Berlin goes one-up to Istanbul

In almost football atmosphere, created by loud Fenerbahce`s fans, TTC Berlin Eastside beat Fenerbahce 3:2 in first final of 2013/14 Women`s European Champions League. This clash absolutely fulfilled expectations and it could say that it was one of the mos

In almost football atmosphere, created by loud Fenerbahce`s fans, TTC Berlin Eastside beat Fenerbahce 3:2 in first final of 2013/14 Women`s European Champions League. This clash absolutely fulfilled expectations and it could say that it was one of the most interesting WECL games this season. 

Berlin`s coach Irina PALINA knew very well why she put Irene IVANCAN on 1. spot. The 2011 single`s runner-up of European Championships played fantastic, beating two much better ranked players, CHING I-Cheng and HU Melek. Even more, she lost just one set in two encounters and it was her opening set, against Taiwanese. After that everything went smoothly for her, starting fourth set by 8:0 lead.

HU Melek leveled against Georgina POTA after first two exciting sets in which both missed some set balls.

Two best ranked players met in unusual part of the game for them, playing as no. 3. Viktoria PAVLOVICH, twice individual European champion, beat triple medalist from 2013 ECH SHAN Xiaona who is the newly crowned German champion.

They were leveled after two sets while in third one Byelorussian came from 1:3 to 6:4 keeping that distance (8:10, PAVLOVICH returned twice almost impossible shots). It was clear that SHAN has no chance in long rallies, and guest forced that taking some important points in late, super exciting third set. Finally, SHAN lost concentration and sent a ball to the peak of the net (12:14). German did not stay calm after that, it showed in ultimate set.

Irene IVANCAN provided new chance for her team, defeating HU Melek in straight games. It was a night of defensive players for sure.

Last question was who will go to Istanbul with an advantage: Berlin or Fenerbahce. Decision was in the hands of POTA and CHENG. Hungarian, who already had an important role in this season`s wins of her side, managed to overcome one of the best ranked WECL players. Everybody in the hall was standing in late third set finished by good serve of the host (14:12).

These two clubs met in group stage and result was the same in Berlin (Fenerbahce won 3:1 in Istanbul).

TTC Berlin Eastside – Fenerbahce 3:2
Irene IVANCAN – CHING I-Cheng 3:1 (4:11, 11:6, 11:7, 11:4)
Georgina POTA – HU Melek 1:3 (13:11, 12:14, 6:11, 8:11)
SHAN Xiaona – Viktoria PAVLOVICH 1:3 (11:8, 9:11, 12:14, 5:11)
Irene IVANCAN – HU Melek 3:0 (11:9, 11:9, 11:9)
Georgina POTA – CHING I-Cheng 3:2 (3:11, 12:10, 14:12, 11:8)