Tennistavolo Sassari wrote history by clinching their first Italian Men’s Team Championship in their rookie season in the top division. In a thrilling playoff series, the Sardinian club overcame seasoned rivals to lift the coveted trophy—marking an extraordinary debut on the national stage.
After eliminating Marcozzi Cagliari in the semifinals, Sassari faced Top Spin Messina WatchesTogether in the finals. The latter had ousted the reigning champions Apuania Carrara, setting up an intense final showdown.
In the first leg played in Messina, the hosts prevailed 4-2. But Sassari, cheered on by a passionate home crowd, responded with a 4-2 win of their own in the return leg. The decisive tie, also held in Sardinia, saw Sassari edge a dramatic 3-2 victory to seal the title. The trophy was presented by federal councilor Raffaele CURCIO.
“This first Italian title in our debut season is an immense satisfaction,” said club president Marcello CILLOCO.
“We built a competitive team around young Andrea PUPPO and experienced players like Sadi ISMAILOV, Lubomir PISTEJ, and Alessandro BACIOCCHI. Our goal was to avoid relegation, so this title is beyond our dreams.”
CILLOCO emphasized the unity and heart shown by the team throughout the season:
“We created a great group. Everyone gave their all for every single point. Even after losing the first leg in Messina, we never gave up. We knew it would be tough, especially with MANHANI returning for Top Spin, but we believed—and we deserved this victory.”
Playoff Finals – Match Results
First leg: TOP SPIN MESSINA WATCHESTOGETHER – TENNISTAVOLO SASSARI 4-2
- Vladislav URSU – Lubomir PISTEJ 3-0 (11-7, 12-10, 11-2)
- Niagol STOYANOV – Andrea PUPPO 1-3 (11-9, 10-12, 3-11, 8-11)
- Tommaso GIOVANNETTI – Sadi ISMAILOV 0-3 (8-11, 6-11, 7-11)
- Niagol STOYANOV – Lubomir PISTEJ 3-2 (11-9, 9-11, 11-13, 15-13, 11-8)
- Vladislav URSU – Sadi ISMAILOV 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-4)
- Junior Humberto MANHANI – Andrea PUPPO 3-1 (9-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-8)
Second leg: TENNISTAVOLO SASSARI – TOP SPIN MESSINA WATCHESTOGETHER 4-2
- Andrea PUPPO – Vladislav URSU 0-3 (7-11, 6-11, 6-11)
- Lubomir PISTEJ – Niagol STOYANOV 3-1 (11-6, 12-10, 10-12, 12-10)
- Sadi ISMAILOV – Antonino AMATO 3-1 (11-8, 10-12, 11-2, 11-9)
- Lubomir PISTEJ – Vladislav URSU 2-3 (7-11, 11-4, 13-11, 10-12, 6-11)
- Andrea PUPPO – Antonino AMATO 3-2 (11-3, 7-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-9)
- Sadi ISMAILOV – Niagol STOYANOV 3-0 (11-6, 11-6, 11-9)
Decisive leg: TENNISTAVOLO SASSARI – TOP SPIN MESSINA WATCHESTOGETHER 3-2
- Andrea PUPPO – Vladislav URSU 0-3 (7-11, 8-11, 8-11)
- Lubomir PISTEJ – Niagol STOYANOV 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-8)
- Sadi ISMAILOV – Junior Humberto MANHANI 3-2 (9-11, 11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-4)
- Lubomir PISTEJ – Vladislav URSU 1-3 (12-10, 6-11, 5-11, 7-11)
- Andrea PUPPO – Junior Humberto MANHANI 3-0 (12-10, 16-14, 11-8)
