Bosnia and Herzegovina came close to creating a major upset on home soil against the No. 1 seed in the Women’s Teams Event at the 2025 European Teams Championships Stage 1 in Sarajevo. However, after a valiant effort in a full five-match thriller, the Netherlands ultimately prevailed.
In Group A’s third round, the Netherlands started strong with Shuohan MEN defeating Ajna ZLOTRG, but Emina CERIC leveled the score by beating Tanja HELLE. Ana SLADOJE then widened the gap for Bosnia and Herzegovina with a five-game win over Sanne DE HOOP.
Under immense pressure, the Dutch team fought back. MEN narrowly won the opening game against CERIC before taking full control of the match. In the decisive game, HELLE overcame SLADOJE to secure the Netherlands’ third win in the group.
Bulgaria also remains unbeaten in Group A, with Tsvetelina GEORGIEVA, Kalina HRISTOVA, and Viktoria PERSOVA having one match less than the Netherlands.
In Group B, England and Switzerland share the lead with two wins each. England’s Tianer YU, Tin-Tin HO, and Jasmin WONG overcame Lithuania, while Switzerland’s Fanny DOUTAZ, Cynthia LILLY, and Rachel MORET triumphed over Greenland.
Greece is the sole unbeaten team in Group C. Akaterini TOLIOU, Malamatenia PAPADIMITRIOU, and Ioanna GERASIMATOU defeated Norway in their latest encounter.
In Group D, Belgium and Slovenia both recorded two wins. Julie VAN HAUWAERT, Lilou MASSART, and Eloise DUVIVIER led Belgium to victory against Latvia, while Slovenia’s Sara TOKIC, Ana TOFANT, and Lara OPEKA overcame Cyprus.
You can see the pictures here.
Tournament Format
The Stage 1 competition will follow a group-stage system for both the men’s and women’s events.
Women’s Competition
- 17 teams divided into 4 groups:
- 1 group of 5 teams
- 3 groups of 4 teams
The top 3 teams from each group advance to the Main Stage (positions 1-12).
The remaining teams will compete for positions 13-17.
Main Stage (Positions 1-12)
- 4 groups of 3 teams
The group winners qualify directly for the ETC Final Stage.
The second-placed teams will play additional matches for the two remaining spots in the Final Stage.
Main Stage (Positions 13-17)
One group of 5 (Round-robin)
Women’s Teams: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, England, Finland, Greece, Greenland, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Slovenia, Switzerland.
Men’s Teams: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, San Marino, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Türkiye, and Wales.
