In the group shootout today the line up of each team suggested a match that would go down to the wire however that is not how things panned out. Lucas Corvee, who was the key figure in the French teams run to gold last year, once again led by example and set the ball rolling for IMBC beating Matthias Borg in two games. 

Stefani Stoeva was introduced in singles and her singles pedigree saw her claim the second point beating Rebecca Kuhl in two games. The Swede’s did keep the tie alive thanks to their strong men’s doubles pair Richard Eidestedt and Nico Ruponen but the Stoeva sisters quickly dispelled any notion of a comeback taking the women’s doubles over Fabbeke and Sjoo. 

Lucas Corvee partnered Audrey Fontaine in the mixed doubles and with any chance of the win now gone Nico Ruponen and Amanda Hogstrom went through the motions as the French cruised to an overall 4-1 tie win. 

Both teams progress to the quarter finals with the French assuming top spot and the Swede’s taking second at the expense of Switzerland’s Team Argovia. 

In group 4 Recreativo Ies La Orden had the group wrapped up even before today’s final match against Euro minnows BK Valmiera. The Spanish fielded a ‘B’ team to save the legs of their top stars and still won easily 5-0. 

The main action for group 4 came in the battle for second as Deltacar Benatky (pictured above) had to dig deep to fend off BC Jonglenster of Luxembourg. The Czech’s only coming through 3-2 in the final women’s doubles preventing the Luxembourg team from creating some Euro clubs history. 

Primorye looking unbreakable

The sting of losing last year is still fresh in the minds of one of the European clubs must successful team, Primorye Vladivostok. The Russians have come this year with a renewed focus and look to be almost unbeatable as they continued to rotate their large squad through the group stages. 

Another easy win today sees them top group 2 and joining them in the quarter finals as group runners up and for the fourth year in succession are hosts Calvi Network BC Milano.  In today’s decider the hosts beating Kosice 5-0 but not without been tested by the Slovak champions who will rue missed chances in the opening mixed doubles and men’s singles. 

BC Anderlecht leave the competition without a singles match or tie success. Three consecutive 5-0 defeats does not do the Belgians justice as they truly deserved better. The Belgian supports who made the long trip to Milan have been the most vocal this week supporting their players every move on court. It is teams and supporters like the Belgians that typifies everything that is good about the European Club Championships and things can only get better for Anderlecht and we hope to see them back. 

Chambly topped group 3 as expected and Club Sports da Madeira (pictured above) followed the French champions into the quarter finals after they came through a winner take all match against TBR of Iceland. 

QUARTER FINAL DRAW

Issy Les Moulineaux (FRA) V Club Sports da Madeira (POR)

Primorye Vladivostok (RUS) V Fyrisfjadern (SWE)

Recreativo Ies La Orden (ESP) V Calvi Network BC Milano (ITA)

BC Chambly Oise (FRA) V  BK 1973 DELTACAR BENATKY n/j (CZE) 

For all results from day 3 at #ECC17 click HERE

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