Goa, July 24: Dempo Goa Challengers became the first team to qualify for the Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 final after a commanding 8-2 victory over former champions Dabang Delhi TTC in the first semi-final on Friday.
Olympian Alvaro Robles starred for the hosts with an outstanding all-round display, winning both his men’s singles and mixed doubles matches. The Spaniard gave Goa a flying start by defeating Youssef Abdelaziz in straight games before partnering Syndrela Das to overcome Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Maria Xiao, putting the Challengers firmly in control.
Delhi briefly fought back as Maria Xiao rallied from a game down to beat Bernadette Szocs, reducing the deficit. However, Goa quickly regained momentum, with young Indian paddler Abhinandh P.B. sealing the tie by edging Delhi captain Sathiyan Gnanasekaran 11-9 in the decisive final match.
Having become the first team in UTT history to complete the league stage unbeaten, Dempo Goa Challengers are now just one win away from lifting the Season 7 title.
Robles was named both the ChatGPT Match IQ Player and Foreign Player of the Tie, while Syndrela Das received the Indian Player of the Tie award. Maria Xiao earned the Bisleri Shot of the Tie honour.
Goa will now await the winner of the second semi-final between HVR Kolkata Thunder Blades and U Mumba TT, scheduled for Saturday. The final promises to cap off a remarkable campaign for the unbeaten Goa franchise, who have been the standout team throughout the tournament.
