UCAM Cartagena T.M produced a dramatic comeback to secure their place in the Final 4 of the ETTU Champions League Women, overturning a 0-3 first-leg deficit against Saint-Quentin TT and clinching qualification in a tense golden match on home soil.
After suffering a heavy defeat in France, the Spanish side responded with determination in front of their supporters, winning the second leg 3-1 to force the decider.
Maria XIAO set the tone with a confident straight-games win over Linda BERGSTROM. Although Polina MIKHAILOVA responded by edging Tin Tin HO in a five-game battle, Fei QI restored parity in the overall tie with a strong performance against Camille LUTZ.
The decisive fourth match of the leg saw Maria XIAO once again rise to the occasion. In a tense encounter against MIKHAILOVA, she held her nerve in the deciding game to level the aggregate score and force a golden match.
With everything on the line, Cartagena showed remarkable composure. Fei QI saved crucial points in a dramatic 15-13 golden game victory over MIKHAILOVA, swinging the momentum firmly in favor of the hosts. Maria XIAO then sealed qualification with an assured 11-6 win against BERGSTROM.
“It was an amazing comeback. We knew we had to produce something special to win today, and fortunately we managed to do exactly that. I’m extremely happy and truly proud of my team,” said XIAO.
From a 0-3 defeat in France to a golden match triumph in Spain, UCAM Cartagena T.M completed a stunning turnaround and now advance to the Final 4, keeping their Champions League dream alive.
UCAM Cartagena T.M – Saint-Quentin TT 3-1
- Maria XIAO – Linda BERGSTROM 3-0 (11-6, 11-6, 11-9)
- Tin Tin HO – Polina MIKHAILOVA 2-3 (11-6, 3-11, 11-5, 10-12, 4-6)
- Fei QI – Camille LUTZ 3-1 (11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 12-10)
- Maria XIAO – Polina MIKHAILOVA 3-2 (11-7, 6-11, 11-6, 7-11, 6-4)
Golden Match
UCAM Cartagena T.M – Saint-Quentin TT 2-0
- Fei QI – Polina MIKHAILOVA 1-0 (15-13)
- Maria XIAO – Linda BERGSTROM 1-0 (11-6)
Saint-Quentin TT – UCAM Cartagena T.M. 3–0
- Polina MIKHAILOVA – Maria XIAO 3-1 (11-6, 11-8, 10-12, 11-3)
- Linda BERGSTROM – Fei QI 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-7)
- Camille LUTZ – Tin Tin HO 3-1 (11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7)
