Czech club HB Ostrov z.s. secured their first-ever Europe Cup title after defeating SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA in both legs of the all-Czech final.
Vladislav URSU, Andrej GACINA, and Pavel SIRUCEK delivered a 3-1 victory over Martin SIP, David REITSPIES, and Tomas KONECNY. Just as in the opening leg, it was URSU who secured two wins. REITSPIES earned the sole point for the visitors with a win against GACINA.
“The basis for our success in the final was the first match in Prague. We showed an excellent performance there and Vladislav URSU showed that he is a difference-maker. He was our main trump card, but that does not mean that we expected an easy job in the return match. El Niňo has a great team, experienced players, and we had to fight for it. We went after our goal and succeeded. The most difficult moment in the entire competition was the first match in Mühlhausen, Germany, in the semi-finals. We lost 1:3 and did not have much chance of advancing. But we managed to resolve this situation, so I think we deservedly won the European Cup,” said HB Ostrov coach Tomáš DEMEK.
Pavel SIRUCEK reflected on the mental pressure in the decisive tie:
“It was very difficult for me mentally, because GACINA only needed one ball in the match with REITSPIES and I wouldn’t have played anything important. I had to concentrate and focus on every ball. I’m very happy that it was successful, because winning the European Cup is something incredible. And what’s more, when there was another Czech club in the final.”
HB Ostrov z.s. – SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA 3-1
- Vladislav URSU – Martin SIP 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-6)
- Andrej GACINA – David REITSPIES 2-3 (9-11, 11-3, 11-8, 5-11, 5-6)
- Pavel SIRUCEK – Tomas KONECNY 3-2 (4-11, 11-8, 10-12, 11-1, 6-4)
- Vladislav URSU – David REITSPIES 3-1 (9-11, 11-8, 11-2, 11-8)
Final – Opening Leg Result:
SF SKK EL NINO PRAHA – HB Ostrov z.s. 1-3
- Tomas KONECNY – Andrej GACINA 3-2 (11-6, 4-11, 11-8, 14-16, 6-3)
- David REITSPIES – Vladislav URSU 0-3 (7-11, 5-11, 8-11)
- Yevhen PRYSHCHEPA – Pavel SIRUCEK 0-3 (7-11, 3-11, 4-11)
- Tomas KONECNY – Vladislav URSU 0-3 (5-11, 6-11, 2-11)
