TTC Berlin Eastside Concludes Champions League Group Stage with Prestige Match in Linz
Linz, January 12, 2026 – Fresh off their impressive German Cup victory in Kolbermoor, TTC Berlin Eastside is set to face Linz AG Froschberg in their final Champions League group stage match on Tuesday. With three wins from three matches, Berlin has already secured the top spot in Group C and a place in the quarterfinals, easing the pressure for this encounter.
Despite the secured qualification, the match against long-standing rival Linz AG Froschberg is considered a prestige duel that Berlin Eastside aims to win, striving to maintain an undefeated record in the group phase.
High Stakes for Linz AG Froschberg
For the Austrian opponent, Linz AG Froschberg, the match holds significant importance. Having played only two of their four group matches, both resulting in defeats, Linz still has a chance to advance. If they win their two remaining games, they could snatch second place in the final standings from the French team from Saint-Denis and join TTC Berlin Eastside in the quarterfinals.
It is therefore expected that Linz will field their strongest squad, potentially including Japan’s Moe Nomura or Thailand’s Suthasini Sawettabut, Dutch player Britt Eerland (a former Berlin Eastside player), and one of the two Croatians, either the experienced Ivana Malobabic or the current national champion Andrea Pavlovic. This formidable lineup will undoubtedly fight for every point, especially on home turf.
Berlin’s Youthful Challenge After Cup Triumph
All eyes will be on how the Berlin team performs so soon after their Cup triumph. The challenge for the three selected players, all of whom participated in Kolbermoor, will be to quickly switch from celebratory mood to competitive mode. This presents a valuable opportunity for the youngest players, Mia Griesel and Josi Neumann, to gain crucial Champions League experience.
Berlin’s manager, Andreas Hain, confirmed the lineup the day before the match: “Since we are already group winners, our young talents Mia Griesel and Josi Neumann will get a chance to play in the Champions League. The team will be complemented by Natalia Bajor.” Hain emphasized, “We are not going to Linz to lose; on the contrary, we believe in our chances and want to finish the group stage undefeated.”
First Leg Result
In the first leg on November 16, 2025, TTC Berlin Eastside defeated Linz AG Froschberg 3:1:
- Yuka Kaneyoshi – Britt Eerland 3:0 (11:6, 11:1, 11:4)
- Natalia Bajor – Suthasini Sawettabut 1:3 (6:11, 8:11, 11:8, 6:11)
- Shan Xiaona – Andrea Pavlovic 3:0 (11:6, 11:6, 11:9)
- Yuka Kaneyoshi – Suthasini Sawettabut 3:0 (11:9, 11:9, 11:8)
This upcoming match promises to be an exciting conclusion to the Champions League group stage for TTC Berlin Eastside, offering both a chance to maintain their perfect record and to blood young talent in a high-stakes environment.
