UCAM Cartagena’s women’s table‑tennis squad clinched a spot in the Champions League Final Four after a dramatic comeback against France’s Saint‑Quentin, securing the last‑place berth for the tournament in Tarnobrzeg, Poland, on May 23‑24. Facing a 3‑0 loss in the first leg just 72 hours earlier, the Spanish side rallied at home to win the return match 3‑1 and then prevailed in the mandatory Golden Match, equalising a historic semifinal run from three seasons ago.
From a 3‑0 deficit to a 3‑1 victory
On February 14, UCAM Cartagena hosted Saint‑Quentin in the quarter‑final second leg. María Xiao opened the tie with a clean 3‑0 win over Sweden’s Linda Bergström (11‑6, 11‑6, 11‑9). Tin Tin Ho fought a five‑game battle but fell 2‑3 to Russia’s Polina Mikhailova, while Qi Fei edged out Germany’s Camille Lutz 3‑1 (11‑7, 11‑7, 8‑11, 12‑10). Xiao then secured the decisive fifth game, beating Mikhailova 3‑2 after a tense exchange (11‑7, 6‑11, 11‑6, 7‑11, 6‑4), giving Cartagena a 3‑1 overall win for the match.
Golden Match settles the tie
Because each club had won one of the two legs without a 3‑2 scoreline, the competition rules mandated an immediate tiebreaker. In the two‑game Golden Match, Qi Fei delivered a 1‑0 victory over Mikhailova (15‑13) and Xiao added another 1‑0 win over Bergström (11‑6), sealing the overall triumph and a ticket to the Final Four.
Match‑by‑match score table
| Leg | Result | Key Individual Wins |
|---|---|---|
| First leg (France) | Saint‑Quentin 3–0 UCAM Cartagena | Maria Xiao lost 1‑3 to Polina Mikhailova; Qi Fei lost 0‑3 to Linda Bergström; Tin Tin Ho won 3‑1 vs. Camille Lutz |
| Return match (Spain) | UCAM Cartagena 3–1 Saint‑Quentin | Maria Xiao 3‑0 Bergström; Qi Fei 3‑1 Lutz; Xiao 3‑2 Mikhailova; Ho 2‑3 Mikhailova |
| Golden Match | UCAM Cartagena 2–0 Saint‑Quentin | Qi Fei 1‑0 Mikhailova; Maria Xiao 1‑0 Bergström |
What the Final Four means for Cartagena
The victory propels the club to the elite Final Four stage, joining the continent’s best women’s clubs in a showdown that will accept place in Tarnobrzeg, a town in south‑central Poland. The achievement mirrors the squad’s run to the semifinals three seasons ago, marking the second time the team has reached the competition’s penultimate phase.
Coach Jesús Cantero praised the resilience of his players, noting the psychological hurdle of overturning a 3‑0 loss in just two days. “The girls showed extraordinary composure under pressure,” he said after the Golden Match, highlighting Xiao’s leadership and Qi Fei’s clutch performance as pivotal.
Looking ahead
UCAM Cartagena will now prepare for the Final Four slated for May 23‑24 in Tarnobrzeg. The tournament format pits the four qualified clubs in a single‑elimination bracket, with the champion earning the title of European club champion. Official updates, including the draw and match schedule, will be posted on the European Table Tennis Union’s website in the coming weeks.
Fans and followers are invited to share their thoughts on the comeback and what the Final Four could mean for Spanish women’s table tennis. Comments and shares are welcome.
