In the quarterfinal of the ETTU Europe Cup Women, TTC Novi Sad and SKST Plus Hodonín delivered one of the most dramatic ties of the round, with both legs going the full distance before the Czech side sealed the victory in a decisive golden match. After two legs played at maximum intensity and a nerve-testing golden match, SKST Plus Hodonín emerged as semifinalists, ending TTC Novi Sad’s spirited European campaign.
The opening leg in Hodonín went the way of the hosts, while Novi Sad responded in Serbia with a 3-2 victory to level the overall tie and force the shootout. Despite the Serbian club’s strong comeback, SKST Plus Hodonín held their nerve at the crucial moment to secure a place in the semifinals.
TTC Novi Sad started strongly, with Aneta MAKSUTI opening the tie in commanding fashion against Marketa SEVCIKOVA. Valeria SHCHERBATYKH then survived a tense five-game duel with Karin GROFOVA to put the home side in a promising position.
Hodonín answered through Zhang BINYUE and GROFOVA, who both claimed important wins to turn the score around. With elimination looming, SHCHERBATYKH produced a composed performance against SEVCIKOVA to clinch the match for Novi Sad and send the contest into a golden match.
In the sudden-death decider, the Czech team struck quickly. Zhang BINYUE defeated SHCHERBATYKH in the opening duel, and GROFOVA followed by overcoming MAKSUTI to seal qualification for SKST Plus Hodonín.
TTC Novi Sad – SKST Plus Hodonín 3-2
- Aneta MAKSUTI – Marketa SEVCIKOVA 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-8)
- Valeria SHCHERBATYKH – Karin GROFOVA 3-2 (11-5, 11-5, 11-13, 12-14, 6-5)
- Valeria KOTCYUR – Zhang BINYUE 1-3 (11-6, 7-11, 7-11, 11-13)
- Aneta MAKSUTI – Karin GROFOVA 1-3 (11-7, 4-11, 7-11, 8-11)
- Valeria SHCHERBATYKH – Marketa SEVCIKOVA 3-0 (11-3, 11-8, 11-8)
Golden match
TTC Novi Sad – SKST Plus Hodonín 0-2
- Valeria SHCHERBATYKH – Zhang BINYUE 0-1 (6-11)
- Aneta MAKSUTI – Karin GROFOVA 0-1 (5-11)
SKST Plus Hodonín – TTC Novi Sad 3-2
- Binyue ZHANG – Sara RADAK 3-0 (11-4, 11-5, 11-4)
- Karin GROFOVA – Aneta MAKSUTI 1-3 (11-13, 11-9, 8-11, 10-12)
- Marketa SEVCIKOVA – Reka BEZEG 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-5)
- ZHANG Binyue – Aneta MAKSUTI 0-3 (3-11, 5-11, 9-11)
- Karin GROFOVA – Sara RADAK 3-0 (11-4, 11-6, 11-5)
