Fusion and BATTS carried the flag for England in the first stage of the Europe Cup, but neither was able to advance to the next stage.

Fusion hosted teams from Italy, Portugal and Cyprus in the women’s competition. The Fusion squad is pictured above from left: Danielle Kelly (reserve), Tiana Dennison, Elena Todirca and Tianer Yu (picture by Michael Loveder).

Opening up against the strongest side, ASV TT Sudtirol from Italy, Fusion were beaten 3-0 – the Italians would go on to win every fixture by that margin.

They were then narrowly defeated 3-2 by Uniao Sebastianense or Portugal, who went on to finish second in the group. Fusion led 1-0 and 2-1 as Yu and Dennison each recorded a victory, but lost the final two matches 3-2 – deciding games were played as first to six points.

Fusion finished on a high with a 3-0 victory over Onisilos Lakatamias of Cyprus with a victory apiece for Yu, Dennison and Todirca.

In the men’s competition, BATTS travelled to Croatia to face opponents from the host nation, Estonia and Poland. Shayan Siraj, Jack Bennett and Josh Bennett were on duty for the Harlow club.

They started with a narrow 3-2 defeat to TalTach Sports Club of Estonia, despite leading 2-1 after wins for Siraj and Josh Bennett.

There followed a 3-1 defeat to STK Starr Croatia, with Jack Bennett getting the BATTS point, and then a 3-0 reverse at the hands of Lotto Polski Cukier Gwiazda Bydgoszcz of Poland.

The Poles topped the group ahead of the hosts, with TalTech third and BATTS fourth.

Results

Europe Cup – Women’s
ASV TT Suditrol 3 Fusion 0
Deborah Vivrelli bt Elena Todirca 3-0 (11-5, 11-3, 11-1)
Szandra Pegerl bt Tianer Yu 3-0 (11-6, 11-8, 11-6)
Ti Hong Loan Le bt Tiana Dennison 3-1 (11-7, 3-11, 11-3, 11-5)

Uniao Sebastianense FC 3 Fusion 2
Yu bt Raquel Martins 3-1 (16-14, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8)
Leila Oliveira bt Todirca 3-1 (11-8, 4-11, 14-12, 11-4)
Dennison bt Sara Rocha 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-5)
Oliveira bt Yu 3-2 (6-11, 11-7, 11-9, 5-11, 6-3)
Martins bt Todirca 3-2 (11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5, 6-3)

Fusion 3 Onisilos Lakatamias 0
Dennison bt Contantina Meletie 3-1 (12-10, 10-12, 11-5, 11-4)
Yu bt Foteini Meletie 3-1 (15-13, 11-3, 12-14, 11-7)
Todirca bt Georgia Avraam 3-0 (11-8, 12-10, 11-8)

Europe Cup – Men’s
TalTech Sports Club 3 BATTS 2
Samuki Soine bt Jack Bennett 3-0 (11-6, 15-13, 11-9)
Shayan Siraj bt Stanislav Strogov 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-7)
Josh Bennett bt Osqar Pukk 3-2 (8-11, 10-12, 11-1, 11-8, 6-3)
Soine bt Siraj 3-1 (8-11, 11-4, 11-7, 12-10)
Strogov bt Jack Bennett 3-1 (11-4, 8-11, 11-5, 11-6)

STK Starr Croatia 3 BATTS 1
Himnakulhpuingheta Jeho bt Josh Bennett 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 12-10)
Ronald Redjep bt Siraj 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 12-10)
Jack Bennett bt Marko Vidacek 3-2 (11-5, 12-10, 6-11, 10-12, 6-3)
Redjep bt Josh Bennett 3-0 (13-11, 11-5, 11-7)

Lotto Polski Cukier Gwiazda Bydgoszcz 3 BATTS 0
Vladislav Ursu bt Siraj 3-0 (11-9, 11-9, 11-2)
Artur Grela bt Josh Bennett 3-1 (7-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-5)
Padsak Tanviriyavechakul bt Jack Bennett 3-0 (11-4, 11-6, 11-5)