Linz AG Froschberg are the new ETTU Europe Cup Women champions after completing a dramatic comeback against ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari in front of their home crowd in Linz.
After suffering a 1-3 defeat in the opening leg in Italy, the Austrian side produced a flawless response on home soil, winning 3-0 to force the golden match and eventually lifting the trophy after a thrilling finale that went the full distance.
The trophy was presented to the winning team by ETTU Vice President Didier LEROY.
From the very beginning, Linz AG Froschberg showed determination to overturn the deficit. Suthasini SAWETTABUT opened the evening with a strong 3-1 victory over Hengyu MA, controlling the crucial moments of the fourth game to give the Austrian club the perfect start.
Ivana MALOBABIC then increased the pressure on the Italian side by defeating Tania PLAIAN in straight games. Although every game was closely contested, MALOBABIC remained focused in key rallies and pushed Linz one step closer to the comeback.
In the third match, Britt EERLAND and Miriam CARNOVALE produced a dramatic five-game battle. EERLAND recovered after losing the opening game, dominated the middle part of the match, and despite CARNOVALE forcing a decider, the Dutch player held her nerve to secure the decisive victory and send the final into the golden match.
The tension inside the hall continued to rise as the trophy had to be decided in the golden match.
SAWETTABUT edged Miriam CARNOVALE 11-9 in the opening duel before Tania PLAIAN responded immediately for ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari with an emphatic 11-1 victory against Ivana MALOBABIC.
With everything resting on the final encounter, Britt EERLAND once again stepped to the table and defeated Hengyu MA 11-8 to secure the trophy for Linz AG Froschberg and complete remarkable comeback.
The Austrian club had previously won the Champions League Women title on two occasions, in 2009 and 2013, but until now had never managed to capture the ETTU Europe Cup Women crown. Their dramatic victory in Linz therefore completed another important chapter in the club’s European legacy.
Britt EERLAND admitted that Linz AG Froschberg entered the second leg determined to overturn the narrow defeat from Sardinia and believed from the beginning that the comeback was possible.
“We were ready for our revenge. Last time it was very close, with three matches going to the deciding moments, so we knew we had a chance,” said EERLAND. “This week we prepared very well together, everybody stayed in Linz, and you could really see that in the match. Everybody had their game face on and wanted to put pressure on the opponents.”
Speaking about the decisive Golden Match, EERLAND explained that taking initiative under pressure proved crucial.
“With the Golden Match, the pressure is there for everybody. I felt that the player willing to take risks would have the advantage. I wanted to open the rallies quickly with my long serves and control the game as much as possible. I think I played smarter in the Golden Match,” she said.
EERLAND also praised the contribution of her teammates throughout the evening.
“I think everybody fought very well. Ivana is a player who normally needs one set to warm up, so the Golden Match format can be difficult for a defender, but in the regular match she was extremely strong with her 3-0 win. As a team we recovered very well from the first leg and finished with the title.”
The Dutch international also underlined the importance of completing the triple this season.
“Now we have won everything – the Cup, the league title and the Europe Cup. That feels very special. I personally had never won the Europe Cup before, so I’m very happy we achieved it. I think we are also the first Austrian club to win this title, which makes it even more special.”
Club president Günther RENNER immediately joined the celebrations after the historic success, while manager Robert RENNER praised the team’s fighting spirit and emotional achievement.
“Unbelievable how exciting can table tennis be? The team gave everything and deserved everything. After 2013, another European title comes to Linz. We owed this to my father Günther RENNER,” said Robert RENNER.
The evening also carried emotional significance for the club as Suthasini SAWETTABUT, who announced her retirement, and coach Josef PLACHY received a memorable farewell in front of the home crowd.
Linz AG Froschberg – ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari 3-0
- Suthasini SAWETTABUT – Hengyu MA 3-1 (11-6, 11-5, 6-11, 13-11)
- Ivana MALOBABIC – Tania PLAIAN 3-0 (11-9, 11-9, 11-8)
- Britt EERLAND – Miriam CARNOVALE 3-2 (8-11, 11-4, 11-2, 7-11, 6-2)
Golden match
Linz AG Froschberg – ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari 2-1
- Suthasini SAWETTABUT – Miriam CARNOVALE 11-9
- Ivana MALOBABIC – Tania PLAIAN 1-11
- Britt EERLAND – Hengyu MA 11-8
Opening leg
ASD Quattro Mori Cagliari – Linz AG Froschberg 3-1
- Elizabet ABRAAMIAN – Britt EERLAND 3-2 (11-7, 9-11, 10-12, 11-5, 6-4)
- Hengyu MA – Suthasini SAWETTABUT 0-3 (7-11, 9-11, 7-11)
- Tania PLAIAN – Ivana MALOBABIC 3-2 (11-6, 9-11, 8-11, 11-7, 6-4)
- Elizabet ABRAAMIAN – Suthasini SAWETTABUT 3-2 (11-9, 9-11, 9-11, 11-5, 6-2)
