The knockout phase of the ETTU Europe Cup Men got underway tonight with three matches played across Spain, Slovakia and Italy.
Czechia’s SF SKK El Nino Praha secured a valuable advantage ahead of the return leg at home with a convincing away victory in Spain, controlling the tie from start to finish. Tomas KONECNY set the tone with a dominant straight-games win over Marc DURAN. The turning point followed in the second match, where David REITSPIES edged Francesc CARRERA in a hard-fought five-game encounter to double the lead. Yevhen PRYSHCHEPA then sealed the result in style, defeating Joan MASIP in straight games to complete a clean sweep for the visitors.
“Today we expected a tougher fight, but only David faced real difficulties against Carrera. I started very well against Duran, playing consistently and with good intensity. Pryshchepa was tactically excellent against Masip, preventing him from playing his game or finding the right rhythm. David was a bit too passive at the start, but after adjusting his serve he found his rhythm. In the fifth set he was down 1–3, stayed focused, and won five points in a row to close the match,” explained KONECNY.
Enoli Borges Vall – SF SKK El Nino Praha 0-3
- Marc DURAN – Tomas KONECNY 0-3 (3–11, 4–11, 3–11)
- Francesc CARRERA – David REITSPIES 2-3 (11–7, 4–11, 7–11, 13–11, 3–6)
- Joan MASIP – Yevhen PRYSHCHEPA 0-3 (6–11, 6–11, 9–11)
In Slovakia, STK Vyhne recorded a 3–1 home win against Dojlidy Białystok, bouncing back after conceding the opening match. Patryk CHOJNOWSKI gave the visitors the early lead with a four-game win over Boguslaw KOSZYK, but the hosts responded decisively. Adam KLAJBER leveled the score with a composed straight-games victory against Piotr CHODORSKI, before Filip SZYMANSKI produced a commanding performance to overcome Piotr MICHALSKI. Returning to the table, KOSZYK redeemed himself by defeating CHODORSKI in four games, securing the first-leg advantage for STK Vyhne.
STK Vyhne – Dojlidy Białystok 3-1
- Boguslaw KOSZYK – Patryk CHOJNOWSKI 1-3 (5–11, 11–2, 9–11, 5–11)
- Adam KLAJBER – Piotr CHODORSKI 3-0 (12–10, 11–8, 11–8)
- Filip SZYMANSKI – Piotr MICHALSKI 3-0 (11–3, 12–10, 11–1)
- Boguslaw KOSZYK – Piotr CHODORSKI 3-1 (10–12, 11–6, 11–9, 11–9)
ASD Marcozzi Cagliari edged Real Club Cajasur Priego TM 3–2 in a tightly contested encounter, with the outcome decided only in the final match.
The visitors took an early lead as Carlos MACHADO overcame Federico VALLINO in four games. Marcozzi responded through Carlo ROSSI, who showed resilience after dropping a dramatic opening game to defeat Hampus SODERLUND 3–1 and level the tie.
The hosts then moved in front thanks to Jeet CHANDRA, who delivered a solid four-game win against Alejandro CALVO, putting Cagliari within touching distance of victory. Priego TM kept their hopes alive as SODERLUND returned to the table to beat VALLINO in straight games, forcing a decisive fifth match.
In the decider, ROSSI produced a solid performance, defeating MACHADO in straight games to seal a hard-fought victory for ASD Marcozzi Cagliari.
ASD Marcozzi Cagliari – Real Club Cajasur Priego TM 3–2
- Federico VALLINO – Carlos MACHADO 1–3 (9–11, 7–11, 11–8, 10–12)
- Carlo ROSSI – Hampus SODERLUND 3–1 (15–17, 12–10, 11–9, 13–11)
- Jeet CHANDRA – Alejandro CALVO 3–1 (11–4, 7–11, 11–5, 11–7)
- Federico VALLINO – Hampus SODERLUND 0–3 (5–11, 7–11, 9–11)
- Carlo ROSSI – Carlos MACHADO 3–0 (11–6, 14–12, 11–8)
