In Stage 3 of the Europe Cup Women, in an all-Spanish clash, UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS – RM TERAN overcame Museo de la Almendra Francisco Morales. On their way to the quarterfinals, the winning team secured a 3-1 victory in the second leg and then triumphed in the golden match 2-0.
Gabriela FEHER, Maria BERZOSA, and Maria MENDEZ had lost the opening leg, but tonight they dominated against Meng JIAQI, Patricia SANTOS, and Margarita FETUKHINA. Margarita was the only player from Museo de la Almendra Francisco Morales to score a point.
However, since the team from Burgos had suffered a straight-match defeat in the opening leg, the golden match was introduced.
“We did not have big expectations. Museo de la Almendra Francisco Morales reached the final of the Europe Cup last year, and on our side, we had a very young player, Maria MENDEZ, who is still in the Under-17 category. Additionally, we lost the first leg 1-3,” said Gabriela FEHER.
That took a great deal of pressure off the team from Burgos.
“We just wanted to give our best and, primarily, enjoy the game. I had to start because Maria BERZOSA recently lost to Meng JIAQI in the league. I won a very close match, which gave us a strong start. I encouraged Maria to maintain her rhythm. She played exceptionally well against the strong FETUKHINA and won. Maria MENDEZ lost her match, but we are very happy with her performance. A young player, our own, above all—she fought hard.
The most important factor was the incredible support we received from our fans. The supporters in Burgos gave us wings; they led us to victory, as they have so many times before. I believe we have won many matches thanks to their support. It was crucial, especially since the pressure in the golden match was immense. In my 30 years of playing experience, I had never played a golden match before. The fans gave me extra courage,” explained FEHER.
Polish club FIBRAIN KU AZS POLITECHNIKA RZESZÓW also reached the quarterfinals yesterday.
Museo de la Almendra Francisco Morales – UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS – RM TERAN 1-3
- Meng JIAQI – Gabriela FEHER 2-3 (13-15, 14-12, 11-2, 4-11, 2-6)
- Patricia SANTOS – Maria BERZOSA 0-3 (7-11, 4-11, 8-11)
- Margarita FETUKHINA – Maria MENDEZ 3-0 (11-3, 11-2, 11-3)
- Meng JIAQI – Maria BERZOSA 0-3 (8-11, 7-11, 6-11)
Golden match
- Museo de la Almendra Francisco Morales – UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS – RM TERAN 0-2
- Margarita FETUKHINA – Gabriela FEHER 9-11
- Meng JIAQI – Maria BERZOSA 8-11
Opening leg
Museo de la Almendra Francisco Morales – UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS – RM TERAN 3-0
- Meng JIAQI – Maria BERZOSA 3-0 (11-1, 11-3, 11-3)
- Margarita FETUKHINA – Gabriela FEHER 3-0 (14-12, 12-10, 11-7)
- Patricia SANTOS – Maria MENDEZ 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-3)
