Four-time Champions League winners, hosts and top seeds KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg secured their place in the final of the first-ever ETTU Champions League Women Final 4 after a commanding victory over reigning champions ttc berlin eastside in front of home spectators in Tarnobrzeg.
The German club, one of the most decorated teams in European women’s table tennis history with seven Champions League titles, arrived with a very young line-up, while Tarnobrzeg relied on its vast experience and world-class quality to control the semi-final from start to finish.
In tomorrow’s final, scheduled for 15:00 CET, KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg will face French club Metz TT, who earlier today defeated Spain’s UCAM Cartagena T.M. in the opening semi-final.
In the opening match, 28-year-old Chinese player Zhuojia HE faced Germany’s rising talent, 16-year-old Josephina NEUMANN. HE’s constant variation of rhythm and spin prevented NEUMANN from settling into the match, allowing the Tarnobrzeg player to build an early advantage.
In the second game, NEUMANN adapted better and tried to stay closer in the rallies, but HE remained fully in control. The German youngster opened the third game with a narrow lead, yet the advantage disappeared quickly as HE accelerated the pace and completely dictated the play. From that moment on, the encounter became a one-way street, with HE closing the match comfortably in straight games.
Nineteen-year-old Japanese defender Yuka KANEYOSHI faced experienced 38-year-old Xiaoxin YANG in the second match of the semi-final. YANG once again confirmed her reputation as a player who feels very comfortable against defensive styles. Her powerful attacking play and sharp counter-topspin rallies quickly energized the spectators in Tarnobrzeg.
Despite the straight-games result, KANEYOSHI showed courage and persistence throughout the encounter. The young Japanese player stayed level in the third game at 5-5 and 7-7 before moving ahead 9-7, threatening to extend the match. However, YANG remained patient under pressure, erased the advantage immediately and closed the duel in straight games with her experience and composure proving decisive.
Europe No. 5 Ying HAN, 43 years old and fresh from winning a bronze medal with Germany at the World Championships, faced 20-year-old compatriot Mia GRIESEL in the third match.
HAN opened the encounter in spectacular fashion, winning the first nine points of the match in rapid succession. GRIESEL responded better in the second game and briefly moved ahead 3-1, but HAN quickly closed the gap and once again took complete control with her trademark defensive precision and clever placement.
“It was important to maintain focus. We did not give away easy points and we reduced our errors to a minimum,” explained HAN.
“It was important for us to stay fully focused throughout the entire match. Of course, during the encounter we made some small adjustments, but the key was to concentrate on every ball and every game, and that is why we achieved such a good result.
What pleased me the most today was Xiaoxin YANG’s performance. She has been working very hard to come back to her best form after her maternity break. She returned last November, and our strategy was to bring her back step by step through feeder tournaments rather than immediately putting pressure on her at the biggest events.
She stayed in constant contact with our coaches, preparing carefully one tournament after another. Today she was focused from the very first to the very last ball. She looked fresh, disciplined and very consistent technically, and I am very happy because she is getting very close to her best level again. She is definitely on the right path to returning to top-level table tennis,” said coach Zbigniew NĘCEK.
