In Group 1 of Stage 2 in the ETTU Champions League Women, French Saint-Quentin TT, seeded no. 5, will face top-seeded KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg and Spanish MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Daurada, runners-up from Stage 1.
The Saint-Quentin lineup features a deep and versatile roster: Sweden’s Linda BERGSTRÖM, Slovakia’s Barbora VARADY, France’s Camille LUTZ, Agnes LELANNIC, and Jeanne MATHIEU, Russia’s Polina and Olga MIKHAILOVA, Belgium’s Eloise DUVIVIER, and England’s Emily BOLTON.
Ahead of the new stage, Coach Olga MIKHAYLOVA and team leader Linda BERGSTROM shared their thoughts on the team’s preparation, expectations, and motivation.
“TT Saint-Quentin has kicked off the French team season in good form, securing three consecutive victories in our first three Pro A matches. Our team is ready for the coming week, a packed one with two League matches, followed by the first leg of the European Champions League group stage,Ћ саид Coach Olga MIKHAYLOVA. “Our primary goal is to secure a spot in the quarterfinals after Stage 2, and then push as far as possible into the main draw. Our strong team spirit and positive mindset are driving our motivation this season. In our group, the leader team is Tarnobrzeg which is as strong as usual, and the Spanish team Miro Ganxets is also very good. So we are prepared for interesting matches to offer to our supporters.”
Linda BERGSTRÖM explained: “We are in good shape and have a good atmosphere in the team. We have started well in the French Pro A and are ready for the new Champions League season. Our expectation for the group stage is to be top 2 and qualify for the play-off. Tarnobrzeg is always a strong team with a lot of good players, and the new team from Spain will also be a challenge. We will have to play on top to fulfil our goals.”
The four-time ETTU Champions League champions, Tarnobrzeg with Germany’s Ying HAN, Japan’s Satsuki ODO, Portugal’s Fu YU, Monaco’s Xiaoxin YANG, China’s Zhuojia HE, Hong Kong’s Wing Lam NG and Poland’s Magdalena SIKORSKA and Kinga STEFANSKA are the toughest adversaries.
“Tarnobrzeg has the strongest team in the group. They always have a very strong and versatile team. The important thing for us is to have all our players in good shape. We have a mall roster so we can’t afford injuries or being out of shape.”
In French Pro A TT Saint-Quentin is a current leader.
“We have played three matches in the French Pro A and won all of them. So we are in first place together with the other two unbeaten teams. The Champions League is always important for the club. The goal is to qualify for the play-off and play some great matches for our spectators at home. All of us have started the season well. Barbora VARADY is a new player in the team, and she has really been a key player to win our first matches. Normally also Polina MIKHAILOVA is important for us. It has been shown before that when she is in good shape, we perform well as a team.”
What message would you like to send to your supporters before the start of the group stage?
“That the matches will be tough from the beginning and that we need their support to perform at the highest level from the start,” stated Linda BERGSTRÖM.
