Metz TT’s dream of lifting the Champions League Women trophy ended once again one step away from the title, as the French club lost to KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg in the final of the first-ever ETTU Champions League Women Final 4 in Poland.
Despite the disappointment of a third final defeat after also finishing runners-up in 2023 and 2025, Metz once again confirmed its place among Europe’s elite clubs after an impressive campaign that included a dramatic semi-final victory over Spain’s UCAM Cartagena T.M.
The French side arrived in the final full of confidence after overcoming Cartagena 3-1 in one of the most emotional matches of the weekend. Hana GODA opened the semi-final with a commanding win over Daniela ORTEGA before Maria XIAO leveled for the Spanish club by defeating Charlotte LUTZ.
The turning point came in the third match, where Adina DIACONU survived a tense five-game battle against Tin Tin HO to restore Metz’s advantage. GODA then sealed the historic qualification by overcoming Maria XIAO in straight games, sending Metz TT into the inaugural Final 4 title match.
In Sunday’s final, Metz fought bravely against the experienced Tarnobrzeg side, but the Polish club proved too strong in the key moments. The opening match between Hana GODA and Ying HAN set the tone for the encounter, with the experienced German recovering after losing the first game to win 3-1.
Zhuojia HE then overturned Adina DIACONU’s strong start before Xiaoxin YANG secured the decisive third point for Tarnobrzeg against Mariia TAILAKOVA.
Still, Metz left Tarnobrzeg with pride after another outstanding European season that also brought them the French league title.
“We tried our best tonight, but the Polish team was simply better. The first match started very well for us. At 9-9 and 10-10 there were very important moments, because if we win that game and go 2-0 up, the situation becomes completely different. Of course, it would not have been finished, but we would have gained a lot of confidence. However, Ying HAN played very well in the key moments and handled the pressure perfectly.
Still, everybody in our team tried their best tonight. We lost because Tarnobrzeg are currently the best team in Europe.
At the same time, we are proud because we won the French league title and reached the Champions League final again for the third time. That is already a very good achievement for our club, and of course we hope that one day we can win this final as well. Maybe next year,” said Metz TT club manager Belguise LOÏC.
