Last Sunday, the champagne was flowing freely in its country of origin after underdogs Saint-Denis Us 93 claimed the Women's Europe Cup in Novi Sad, Serbia. Today, there was yet another reason for France to prepare the stemware. 13 of Europe's top teams gathered in Varaždin, Croatia for the Tamanneftegas Europe Cup Men's Final. Germany's Post SV Mühlhausen 1951 E.V. were the top seeds, led by Daniel Habesohn of Austria and Romania's Ovidiu Ionescu. Everything was going according to plan for Mühlhausen until the semifinals, where they ran into unheralded AS Pontoise Cergy. Mühlhausen team captain Daniel Habesohn lost both his matches, falling in the opener to Quentin Robinot and in the last match against Patric Baum. With a surprise 3-1 win, AS Pontoise Cergy were on to the finals. "We did not expect that we will win," admitted Robinot. "Germany's club was the favorite. It gave us space to play without the pressure. The key to success was my quick win in straight games against Habesohn in the opening match. It gave the tone of the match and moved the duel into our direction." Buoyed by their surprise win, AS Pontoise Cergy were already playing with house money when they reached the final. There, they met SPG Walter Wels of Austria, led by Croatia's Frane Kojic, playing on his native soil. Unfortunately for SPG Walter Wels, home field provided no advantage for Kojic, who followed Habesohn's lead by losing to Robinot and Baum. Throw in a clutch five-game win from Adrien Mattenet over Adam Szudi and AS Pontoise Cergy won the championship, three matches to one. With both Europe Cups now in French possession, champagne may be to 2021 what toilet paper was to 2020.

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