European Champions League Women (from 3rd to 8th December)
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On the penultimate day of the play in the Sportpark Lissfeld at the European Champions League Women TTC Berlin eastside justified their status and booked their place in the final. On the way to the ultimate stage they overcame French Metz TT. In the second duel of the dayย Linz AG Froschberg joined them after victory over TT Saint-Quentinois.
TTC Berlin eastside GER – Metz TT (FRA) 3:1
SHAN Xiaona – Adina DIACONU 2:3 (11:2 11:8 10:12 7:11 4:6)
Nina MITTELHAM – Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN 3:2 (12:10 3:11 9:11 13:11 6:5)
Britt EERLAND – WU Jiaduo 3:1 (11:7 9:11 11:8 11:8)
SHAN Xiaona – Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN 3:0 (11:6 11:3 11:7)
The opening duel against Adina DIACONU Europe’s no 71 SHAN Xiaona commenced in furious style. Romania’s player won only two points before the game ended in favor of the player currently ranked at the position no. 11 in Europe. From the second game the battle really began. Adina responded fiercely but failed to create the opportunity to make a wider gap. DIACONU stayed close but SHAN withstood the pressure.
In the closing stage of the third game Adina forced SHAN into errors. The pendulum swung. The match that headed toward fast end suddenly changed direction. Adina recovered to win the match by sudden death point.
Europe’s no. 9 Nina MITTELHAM faced Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN currently placed at position no. 43. The opening game started in favor of Romania’s player who created 9:5 gap before German moved to another gear to win the game by narrow margin. Nina failed to stay in the driving seat. Daniela took second game and in third she recovered from being down 5:9 to win 11:9. A moment of loss of the focus in the middle of the fourth game led to error and Nina was there to seize her opportunity. From 4:4 to 5:7 French coach BELGUISE was forced to call for time out. It worked and Daniela had match ball at 10:8 but Irina PALINA called for the time out and it brought back Nina in game to stretch the match to decisive game. On the edge of the knife fifth game this time work for Germany’s side.
Europe’s no. 5 Britt EERLAND won easily the opening game against WU Jiaduo but the wheel turned in next one. It lasted for a short time. From the third game Britt tightened the grips and controlled the match. On her second ecit to the table SHAN showed no mercy and sealed the match in straight games.
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โIt was very difficult match. We are still adjusting to the sudden death new rule . Today once it worked for us once it did not. From what I heard majority of players approves it and I also heard it looks good on TV but as I said it takes time to adapt to it โ said coach Irina PALINA.
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Linz AG Froschberg AUT – TT Saint-Quentinois FRA 3:2
Sofia POLCANOVA – Andreea DRAGOMAN 3:2 (11:13 11:9 11:6 9:11 6:4)
Bernadette SZOCS – Polina MIKHAILOVA 0:3 (8:11 2:11 8:11)
LIU Jia – Sarah DE NUTTE 3:1 (17:15 11:8 8:11 11:5)
Sofia POLCANOVA – Polina MIKHAILOVA 2:3 (10:12 11:6 11:6 7:11 1:6)
Margarita PESOTSKA – Andreea DRAGOMAN (11:5 11:8 14:12)
In the second semi final European no. one Sofia POLCANOVA lost the close opening game against Andreea DRAGOMAN but when she had settled into the rhythm the duel was moving forward in her favor. DRAGOMAN did not give a lot of breathing space and keeping the constant pressure paid off. After being two games to one down she won the fourth and moved the match to the sudden death game. POLCANOVA forced DRAGOMAN into blocking mode but Romania’s player found the way to respond before Russian roulette pistol fired at 6:4. .
Europe’s no. four Bernadette SZOCS failed to find adequate answer for Polina MIKHAILOVA’s defensive skills combined with sharp attacks. Polina currently placed at the position no. 13 in Europe concluded the match with the straight games win.
Experienced host nation star LIU Jia was under severe pressure against Sarah DE NUTTE. LIU is ranked at the position no. 42 currently whilst Sarah is at no. 27 but the match did not finish as the rankings predicted. Despite the pressure LIU prevailed.
For a second time in a day POLCANOVA had to play five games but this time wheel of fortune turned the other way. MIKHAILOVA recovered from 1:2 in games to win the match.
โThe new rule worked fine for me twice. I think I like it. It is early to say for sure the pressure is high โ said POLCANOVA.
PESOTSKA entered the match for the first time today to face Andreea DRAGOMAN.
โI learned that I will play during the match. Nevertheless I was confident and I played my game. I have good tactics for DRAGOMAN and it proved good โ said PESOTSKA.
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