In the middle of their ETTU Europe Cup Women final campaign, Linz AG Froschberg added another major success to an already impressive season. Just days after the opening leg against ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari in Sardinia, the Austrian side secured its 25th national championship title, using the Bundesliga final as the perfect boost ahead of Friday’s decisive second leg of the Europe Cup final in Linz.
A dominant 4-0 victory over Gartenstadt Tulln secured the 25th national championship title for the women of Linz AG Froschberg. The breakthrough came right at the start of the final when Ivana MALOBABIC handed previously unbeaten Taiwanese player CHEN Chia-I a convincing 3-0 defeat. Now the focus quickly turns to Friday’s ETTU Europe Cup Women final second leg in Linz, where the Austrian side will try to overturn the 1-3 defeat suffered against ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari in Sardinia.
“Our goal is the treble,” said club chairman Günther RENNER.
After already lifting the Austria Cup earlier this season, Linz AG completed the domestic double in impressive style against the injury-hit side from Gartenstadt Tulln. Coach Josef PLACHY made a decisive tactical move by placing Ivana MALOBABIC in the second position of the lineup, and the Croatian defender delivered immediately. With a patient and intelligent performance, she broke the rhythm of 19-year-old CHEN Chia-I and gave Linz AG the perfect start.
“PLACHY informed me in the morning that I would start, and I studied CHEN Chia-I carefully. It wasn’t easy, but I found the right solution,” said a smiling MALOBABIC after the match.
Suthasini SAWETTABUT followed with another straight-games victory against Ana CHERVIK, before Britt EERLAND extended the lead to 3-0 with a comfortable win over Nikoleta PUCHOVANOVA. EERLAND and SAWETTABUT then completed the flawless evening in doubles, defeating PUCHOVANOVA and CHERVIK without dropping a game.
“With the third consecutive 4-0 result in the final, we completed the hat-trick. After LASK, it was Linz’s second double within 24 hours. Now we are fully focused on the season highlight – the Europe Cup final second leg on Friday evening in Linz,” said Robert RENNER.
Despite the setback in the opening leg in Sardinia, Linz AG Froschberg still believes the treble is within reach. To keep their hopes alive and force the Golden Match, the Austrian club will need at least a 3-1 victory on home soil on Friday evening.
Women’s Bundesliga Final
Linz AG Froschberg – Gartenstadt Tulln 4–0
- Ivana MALOBABIC – CHen Chia-I 3–0
- Suthasini SAWETTABUT – Ana CHERVIK 3–0
- Britt EERLAND – Nikoleta PUCHOVANOVA 3–0
- Britt EERLAND/Suthasini SAWETTABUT – Nikoleta PUCHOVANOVA/Ana CHERVIK 3–0
Fotos by Plohe
