21 May 2018

History was made on the evening of Friday 18th May as Croatian team Dr. Casl entered its name on the winners list at the highest level of European club competition for the first time following a terrific performance in the 2nd leg of the Seamaster 2017-2018 Women’s Champions League final.

by Simon Daish

Dr. Casl had the momentum in their court after powering to an impressive 3-2 away victory over Turkish opponents Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyespor last week and backed it up with a magnificent 3-0 triumph in the 2nd leg to secure a 6-2 aggregate win overall.

Once again Fu Yu and Yana Noskova lined-up to face one another: in the previous encounter the win went to the former of the two players in a tight five games thriller but this time Fu Yu required just the three games to see off her Russian opponent (11-2, 11-4, 12-10) as Dr. Casl raced into the lead.

Doo Hoi Kem experienced a stunning defeat at the hands of Hu Melek in the opening leg of the contest, however, there was to be no repeat of that outcome this time around with Doo Hoi Kem prevailing by a three games to one score-line (11-5, 11-8, 11-13, 11-4).

Hope looked to be on the horizon for visitors Bursa as young star Simay Kulakceken established a narrow two games to one lead in the third fixture of the tie before Li Jie responded with back-to-back game wins (11-4, 9-11, 9-11, 11-1, 11-2) to bring the proceedings to a close.

Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyespor should be commended for achieving a runner up finish in what has been a tremendous campaign for the Turkish outfit but the main honour falls to Dr. Casl, who become the first Croatian side in the history of the Women’s Champions League to capture the title.

2017-2018 ETTU Champions League Doo Hoi Kem Yana Noskova Fu Yu Hu Melek