Czech side SKST Plus Hodonín bounced back from a straight-match defeat in the opening leg of the Europe Cup semifinal in Hungary to secure a spot in the final. Playing on home soil, they responded with a 3-1 victory over Budaörsi Sport Club, forcing a decisive golden match.
Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ opened the match with a straight-games win over Helga DARI and later sealed the overall victory by avenging her first-leg loss to Dora MADARÁSZ with a dramatic five-game triumph, decided by a sudden death point. Karin GROFOVÁ also overcame MADARÁSZ, while Maria FAZEKAS earned the only point for the visiting team.
Jaroslav MIKESKA, coach of SKST Plus Hodonín, commented:
“Our lineup worked out well—that’s exactly how we planned it. But the match itself wasn’t easy. We aimed for a 3-0 win because Markéta ŠEVČÍKOVÁ wasn’t the favorite against Dora MADARÁSZ. However, she played superbly and turned the fifth set around from 3-5 to 6-5, securing the golden match. That final match was heavily influenced by luck. We’re extremely happy—after reaching the Champions League semifinals, we’re now in the final of the Europe Cup. The Champions League may carry more prestige, but our season isn’t over yet. We’ll fight for the title in the final.”
SKST Plus Hodonín – Budaörsi Sport Club 3-1
Marketa SEVCIKOVA – Helga DARI 3-0 (11-4, 11-9, 11-3)
Karin GROFOVA – Dora MADARASZ 3-1 (11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8)
Solomiya BRATEYKO – Maria FAZEKAS 1-3 (8-11, 9-11, 11-8, 6-11)
Marketa SEVCIKOVA – Dora MADARASZ 3-2 (11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 7-11, 6-5)
Golden Match
SKST Plus Hodonín – Budaörsi Sport Club 2-1
Karin GROFOVA – Helga DARI 11-6
Marketa SEVCIKOVA – Dora MADARASZ 9-11
Solomiya BRATEYKO – Maria FAZEKAS 11-7
Opening leg
Budaörsi Sport Club – SKST Plus Hodonín 3-0
Dora MADARASZ – Marketa SEVCIKOVA 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 13-11)
Helga DARI – Karin GROFOVA 3-2 (5-11, 11-7, 11-8, 6-11, 6-4)
Maria FAZEKAS – Natalia PARTYKA 3-0 (11-3, 11-7, 11-9)
