Dempo Goa Challengers continued their sensational campaign in Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 Powered by ChatGPT, becoming the first team to secure a place in the final after defeating former champions Dabang Delhi TTC 8-2 in the first semi-final at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Goa.
The unbeaten league leaders once again showcased why they have been the standout team of the tournament, with Spanish Olympian Alvaro Robles delivering a flawless performance in both the men’s singles and mixed doubles.
Robles gave Goa the perfect start by defeating Youssef Abdelaziz in straight games (11-8, 11-4, 11-10), handing the Challengers an early advantage. Although Delhi fought back through Maria Xiao, who came from behind to overcome Bernadette Szocs, Goa quickly regained control.
The mixed doubles pairing of Alvaro Robles and Syndrela Das produced another clinical performance, defeating Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Maria Xiao in straight games to move the hosts within touching distance of the final.
Young Indian paddler Abhinandh PB then displayed remarkable composure under pressure, edging Delhi captain Sathiyan Gnanasekaran 11-9 in the decisive encounter to officially seal Goa’s place in the championship clash.
The victory extends Dempo Goa Challengers’ remarkable unbeaten streak, having already become the first team in UTT history to complete the league phase without suffering a defeat.
For his outstanding performances, Alvaro 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.
The second semi-final between HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades and U Mumba TT will determine Goa’s opponents in the title clash.
Butterfly UTT Season 7 is organised under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani. The league features 42 players from across the world, including 14 Olympians, while continuing to strengthen India’s table tennis ecosystem.
Final Score
Dempo Goa Challengers 8-2 Dabang Delhi TTC
- Alvaro Robles bt. Youssef Abdelaziz 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-10)
- Bernadette Szocs lost to Maria Xiao 1-2 (11-10, 6-11, 4-11)
- Alvaro Robles/Syndrela Das bt. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran/Maria Xiao 3-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-3)
- Abhinandh PB bt. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran 1-0 (11-9)
Discover more from Allycaral
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
