The reigning champions ttc berlin eastside started their 2025/26 ETTU Champions League Women campaign with a 3–0 away victory over Saint-Denis TT 93 in the opening round of Stage 2.
Berlin’s club, chasing their seventh European crown, delivered a powerful performance against the French side, combining control, and confidence from start to finish.
In the opening singles, Germany’s Nina MITTELHAM (ER 7) set the rhythm with a commanding 3–0 win over Prithika PAVADE (ER 8). Japan’s Miyuu KIHARA (WR 22) extended the visitors’ lead by overcoming Hana ARAPOVIC (ER 32) in straight games.
In the third encounter, Germany’s experienced Xiaona SHAN (ER 14) sealed the victory with a 3–1 triumph over Li JIE (ER 96). After dropping the opening game 8–11, Shan recovered quickly and secured the overall 3–0 team win for ttc berlin eastside.
Club president Andreas HAIN praised his team’s start to the season:
“That was a focused performance from our team in Paris against Saint-Denis. We didn’t just want to win the match, but also make a statement. A 3–0 victory and a 9–1 set score against this opponent sends a clear message to the competition that we are a force to be reckoned with. Nina was brilliant against PAVADE and dominated them. A truly outstanding performance! We hope to continue this form against Linz on Sunday.”
The reigning champions thus begin their title defence in Group 3 with a confident away win. They will next host Linz AG Froschberg (AUT) on 16 November.
Saint-Denis TT 93 (FRA) – ttc berlin eastside (GER) 0–3
- Prithika PAVADE – Nina MITTELHAM 0–3 (6–11, 6–11, 5–11)
- Hana ARAPOVIC – Miyuu KIHARA 0–3 (6–11, 8–11, 7–11)
- Li JIE – Xiaona SHAN 1–3 (11–8, 5–11, 9–11, 6–11)
Top Seeds Tarnobrzeg Open with Dominant 3–0 Victory in Spain
Top-seeded KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg concluded the opening leg in dominant fashion, securing a 3–0 away victory over MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Durada.
The reigning champions and four-time title holders started confidently, with Ying HAN displaying her trademark precision and defensive mastery to overcome Ruichen GUO 3–1. After a tight opening game that HAN narrowly took 13–11, GUO levelled in the second, but the experienced German international raised her level to close the next two games decisively and secure Tarnobrzeg’s first point.
Xiaoxin YANG doubled the lead for the Polish powerhouse, defeating Olga VOROBEVA in straight games before Yu FU completed the team’s perfect start, producing a composed 3–0 victory over Andrea TODOROVIC to seal the tie.
Coach Zbigniew NĘCEK reflected on his team’s performance after the opening victory: “We won, but to achieve it the players had to rise to the heights of their abilities. The match with Ying HAN was especially very close, but the experience of our player helped us secure a good result. We don’t have time to rest, our focus is already on the upcoming match, which we will play in Tarnobrzeg this Saturday.”
Tarnobrzeg will next face Saint-Quentin TT on 15 November.
MIRÓ Ganxets Costa Durada – KTS Enea Siarkopol Tarnobrzeg 0–3
- Ruichen GUO – Ying HAN 1–3 (11–13, 12–10, 6–11, 4–11)
- Olga VOROBEVA – Xiaoxin YANG 0–3 (9–11, 7–11, 8–11)
- Andrea TODOROVIC – Yu FU 0–3 (4–11, 8–11, 5–11)
Metz TT Overcome Rzeszów Challenge
Last season’s runners-up Metz TT beat PGE Fibrain KU AZS Politechnika Rzeszów. The opening match brought early celebration for the hosts, as the experienced Fen LI produced an excellent performance to defeat Adina DIACONU and give Rzeszów a 1–0 lead.
Metz responded through Hana GODA, who edged past Zuzanna WIELGOS in a dramatic five-game thriller. The young Polish player fought back bravely, taking the fourth game 11–4 to force a decider, but GODA held her nerve to claim the win and level the score at 1–1.
The French side then moved ahead when Charlotte LUTZ overcame Ilona SZTWIERTNIA, giving Metz a crucial advantage.
“It was a hard match and we won not only at the table but also mentally. We have a really good spirit, and I think this is very important. We will do our best to make it to the main draw,” said Charlotte LUTZ.
In the decisive fourth match, Hana GODA returned to the table and completed Metz’s victory by defeating Fen LI in another five-game battle. Despite LI’S strong start, the Egyptian rising star found her rhythm to close out the contest and secure the win for the runner-ups.
“I am very happy that we won. It was a very tough match, but we all gave our best and managed to take the victory in the end,” said Hana GODA.
PGE Fibrain KU AZS Politechnika Rzeszów– Metz TT 1–3
- Fen LI vs Adina DIACONU 3–1 (10–12, 11–7, 11–9, 11–6)
- Zuzanna WIELGOS – Hana GODA 2–3 (8–11, 11–9, 9–11, 11–4, 3–6)
- Ilona SZTWIERTNIA – Charlotte LUTZ 1–3 (11–9, 6–11, 13–15, 6–11)
- Fen LI – Hana GODA 2–3 (11–7, 11–6, 7–11, 3–11, 5–6)
Etival Edge Novi Sad
Etival ASRTT overcame TTC Novi Sad in a gripping contest that went the full distance twice, securing a 3–1 victory in their opening match of Stage 2.
The French club, seeded number four, were made to fight hard by the Serbian champions, who showed great determination and spirit throughout the evening.
In the opening encounter, Australia’s Yangzi LIU (WR 35) gave Etival an early lead by defeating Serbia’s Aneta MAKSUTI. Despite Maksuti’s strong third game, Liu managed to close the fourth by the narrowest of margins to secure the opening point for the visitors.
Valeria SHCHERBATYKH then levelled the score for Novi Sad with an outstanding 3–1 victory over Portugal’s Jieni SHAO, giving the home supporters plenty to cheer. The tie continued with another intense duel, as Valeria KOTCYR faced Sweden’s Christina KÄLLBERG. After dropping the first two games, KOTCYR fought back impressively to equalise, but KÄLLBERG’S consistency under pressure allowed her to prevail and put Etival back in front at 2–1.
In the fourth singles, Aneta MAKSUTI returned to the table to face Jieni SHAO. The Serbian player once again delivered a spirited performance, pushing the Portuguese international to five games. MAKSUTI led 2–1 and even held opportunities to extend the match further, but SHAO’s experience and resilience proved decisive as she fought back to win 3–2, sealing Etival’s overall victory.
TTC Novi Sad (SRB) – Etival ASRTT (FRA) 2–3
- Aneta MAKSUTI vs Liu YANGZI 1–3 (7–11, 4–11, 11–6, 12–14)
- Valeria SHCHERBATYKH vs Jieni SHAO 3–1 (8–11, 11–5, 12–10, 11–9)
- Valeria KOTCYR vs Christina KÄLLBERG 2–3 (3–11, 7–11, 11–8, 11–5, 2–6)
- Aneta MAKSUTI vs Jieni SHAO 2–3 (8–11, 11–8, 11–3, 12–14, 3–6)
