Last year’s runners-up in the ETTU Champions League Women, Metz TT, are ready to begin a new campaign from Stage 2. The French club, seeded No. 2, will compete in Group 2 alongside Italy’s ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari and Poland’s PGE Fibrain KU AZS Politechnika Rzeszów, with two quarterfinal places at stake.
“After a strong start to the domestic season, we are eager to kick off our new Champions League journey. Having reached two finals in the past three years, expectations are high among our fans and partners,” said Sport Director Loïc BELGUISE.
The French vice-champions once again have their sights set high.
“Our immediate goal is to finish among the top two and reach the quarterfinals. Looking further ahead, we aim to qualify for the Final Four,” BELGUISE added.
Metz will rely on a powerful lineup led by Charlotte LUTZ (No. 18 in Europe), Egypt’s 17-year-old prodigy Hana GODA (World No. 23), Adina DIACONU of Romania, Sarah DE NUTTE of Luxembourg, Russia’s Mariia TAILAKOVA, and France’s Charlène LESTIENNE.
“Our team is even stronger this year with Hana joining us,” said Adina DIACONU. “She’s full of energy and positivity, and she brings a great atmosphere to the group. We’ve won all our league matches so far, but the French League is very competitive this season, so we need to stay focused.”
The draw has set up a balanced and demanding group.
“Playing against Rzeszów and Quattro Mori will be a real test. Every match will count. We open away in Poland before hosting Quattro Mori in December, and the whole team is excited for this new European adventure,” said BELGUISE.
DIACONU added her view on the Champions League challenge:
“It’s a tough group. We start as the top seed, but surprises can always happen, in this competition, anything is possible. Berlin remains the team to beat, but if we get the chance, we want our revenge for last season’s final. Step by step, every match will matter.”
As for her personal ambitions, DIACONU concluded:
“I want to dream big to defend our French League title and reach another ETTU Champions League final. It will be a long, demanding season, but we’re ready to fight.”
