After securing an emphatic 3-0 away victory in the first encounter, last year’s runners up, SF SKK El Nino Praha reached the semi-final of the Europe Cup Men with a hard-fought 3-2 success against TTC Sokah Hoboken.
Despite already holding a strong aggregate advantage, the Czech side faced determined resistance from the visitors in a tense five-match duel.
Tomas KONECNY opened the tie with a narrow five-game win over Olav KOSOLOSKY, but Hoboken immediately responded as Quentin ROBINOT defeated David REITSPIES to level the score. Praha regained control thanks to a dominant straight-games performance from Yevhen PRYSHCHEPA against Cedric FLEBUS.
ROBINOT once again kept Hoboken in contention by overcoming Martin SIP, forcing a decisive final match. Under pressure, David REITSPIES produced a composed display to beat Olav KOSOLOSKY in straight games and seal another victory for El Nino Praha.
Tomáš KONECNY: “Reaching the European Cup semifinals for the second consecutive time is a huge success in the history of our club. But we are not satisfied yet – we want to go even further. The rematch with the Belgian club was difficult. My match against Olav KOSOLOSKY was not easy; he is an uncomfortable opponent, a left-hander with a very strong serve. At one stage I struggled a bit, but in the end everything worked out and I managed to secure the important opening point. After that, it was in the hands of my teammates, and fortunately it all turned out well.”
SF SKK El Nino Praha – TTC Sokah Hoboken 3-2
- Tomas KONECNY – Olav KOSOLOSKY 3-2 (8-11, 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 6-4)
- David REITSPIES – Quentin ROBINOT 1-3 (11-9, 5-11, 9-11, 7-11)
- Yevhen PRYSHCHEPA – Cedric FLEBUS 3-0 (11-2, 11-7, 11-5)
- Martin SIP – Quentin ROBINOT 1-3 (12-10, 8-11, 4-11, 4-11)
- David REITSPIES – Olav KOSOLOSKY 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-3)
TTC Sokah Hoboken – SF SKK El Nino Praha 0-3
- Quentin ROBINOT – Tomas KONECNY 0-3 (7-11, 8-11, 8-11)
- Olav KOSOLOSKY – David REITSPIES 2-3 (11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 2-6)
- Cedric FLEBUS – Yevhen PRYSHCHEPA 0-3 (2-11, 4-11, 2-11)
