French club Saint-Denis 93 TT secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Portugal’s CTM Mirandela in the opening leg of the Europe Cup Women Quarterfinal. Earlier this week, Universidad de Burgos – RM Terán defeated Hungary’s Budaörsi Sport Club 3-1.
The tie in France was tightly contested, with the home side stretched as a team across all five matches. Jie LI opened strongly with a dominant win over Maria RUIVO, but Annamaria ERDÉLYI quickly leveled the score by defeating Agathe AVEZOU in straight games.
Hsing Yin LIU restored the lead for Saint-Denis with a 3-1 win over Ines MATOS, before ERDÉLYI struck again—this time overcoming Jie LI—to make it 2-2. In the decisive fifth match, Agathe AVEZOU delivered a composed performance, beating Maria RUIVO in straight games to seal the win for the French side.
“It was a difficult match, but we are happy to have won in the end! I’m proud to get the last win at 2-2,” said AVEZOU. “Now we have to win in the second leg!”
Despite ERDÉLYI’s impressive double victory, CTM Mirandela fell just short of the upset. However, by taking the match to five matches, they reduced the pressure heading into the return leg on 27th April, which they will host on home soil.
Saint-Denis 93 TT – CTM Mirandela 3-2
- Jie LI – Maria RUIVO 3-0 (11-2, 11-4, 11-7)
- Agathe AVEZOU – Annamaria ERDELYI 0-3 (9-11, 2-11, 8-11)
- Hsing Yin LIU – Ines MATOS 3-1 (17-15, 11-7, 9-11, 11-1)
- Jie LI – Annamaria ERDELYI 1-3 (11-4, 6-11, 3-11, 9-11)
- Agathe AVEZOU – Maria RUIVO 3-0 (11-2, 11-3, 11-8)
