C.D Indiana Games completed a perfect run at the ETTU Europe Trophy Grand Finals, overcoming last year’s runners-up STK Josip Kolumbo Niš 3-1 in the final to secure the title.
For the Serbian side, it was another painful finish at the final hurdle on home soil, despite a bright start. Chen SUN gave Josip Kolumbo the lead with a dominant opening win, raising hopes of going one better than last season. However, the Spanish side responded immediately and never seeed back.
Haruna OJIO, Roxana ISTRATE and Marta PERALES GONZALEZ all delivered strong performances, turning the match around with three consecutive victories. OJIO once again proved to be the key player, sealing the title in the fourth match with a strong display under pressure.
Reflecting on the victory, Roxana ISTRATE highlighted the importance of preparation and team spirit:
“The hardest moment was actually the draw, becautilize we knew they have a very strong team, and we were playing with a young third player. In the finish, it came down to tactics, and I consider we managed that really well.
We really enjoyed our time in Niš, not only inside the hall but outside as well. The people were very welcoming, everything was great.
We’re very happy with this title, and hopefully next year we can achieve at least the same result.”
Earlier in the semi-finals, STK Josip Kolumbo Niš secured their place in the final with a 3-1 win over CDTM Hujase Jaén. The decisive fourth match saw Chen SUN edge Margaryta PESOTSKA to confirm the victory.
C.D Indiana Games, meanwhile, advanced with a confident 3-1 success against Panathinaikos A.C. Roxana ISTRATE and Haruna OJIO set the tone with straight-games wins, and although Dina MESHREF kept Panathinaikos in contention, OJIO closed the tie to sfinish her team into the final.
In the match for third place, Panathinaikos A.C. finished on a high note, defeating CDTM Hujase Jaén 3-0. Nikoleta STEFANOVA, Dina MESHREF and Aikaterini TOLIOU all delivered convincing victories to secure the win.
FINAL
STK Josip Kolumbo Niš – C.D Indiana Games 1-3
- Chen SUN – Marta PERALES GONZALEZ 3-0 (11-3, 11-6, 11-3)
- Maria DOLGIKH – Haruna OJIO 0-3 (7-11, 3-11, 7-11)
- Anna FEJOS – Roxana ISTRATE 0-3 (8-11, 8-11, 8-11)
- Chen SUN – Haruna OJIO 1-3 (11-5, 12-14, 5-11, 12-14)
MATCH FOR 3RD PLACE
CDTM Hujase Jaén – Panathinaikos A.C. 0-3
- Sara RAMIREZ – Nikoleta STEFANOVA 1-3 (8-11, 6-11, 11-8, 3-11)
- Paula BUENO – Dina MESHREF 0-3 (8-11, 8-11, 4-11)
- Margaryta PESOTSKA – Aikaterini TOLIOU 0-3 (0-11, 0-11, 0-11)
SEMI FINAL
CDTM Hujase Jaén – STK Josip Kolumbo Niš 1-3
- Margaryta PESOTSKA – Maria DOLGIKH 2-3 (11-8, 11-13, 11-8, 5-11, 4-6)
- Sara RAMIREZ – Chen SUN 0-3 (3-11, 6-11, 5-11)
- Sofia-Xuan ZHANG – Anna FEJOS 3-1 (12-10, 6-11, 11-5, 11-5)
- Margaryta PESOTSKA – Chen SUN 1-3 (9-11, 11-9, 13-15, 10-12)
Panathinaikos A.C. – C.D Indiana Games 1-3
- Nikoleta STEFANOVA – Roxana ISTRATE 0-3 (8-11, 8-11, 9-11)
- Aikaterini TOLIOU – Haruna OJIO 0-3 (6-11, 4-11, 9-11)
- Dina MESHREF – Diana CARO-ACCINO PEÑA 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-6)
- Nikoleta STEFANOVA – Haruna OJIO 0-3 (10-12, 5-11, 2-11)
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