Azerbaijani table tennis player Zemfira Mikayılova has won a medal with a foreign club for the first time

Competing for Masa Der Spor Klubu, the athlete secured a bronze medal in the Turkish Super League and praised the high level of the competition:

“The tournament was very interesting. It was my first time receiving an invitation from a foreign club and competing there. The opponents were strong. Out of the nine teams we faced, we defeated seven and lost to two. It was exciting and engaging for us. In the end, we finished third. We were very happy to achieve such success for the first time.”

She also spoke about the tournament format and her team’s results:

“First place went to Çukurova Üniversitesi, second place to Çorum Belediyesi ASK, and we came third. The competition lasted two rounds. There are several leagues in Türkiye, and we competed in the Super League. Such tournaments are held every year. Since we finished third, we have a chance to be promoted to the Elite League. If we are invited again next season, we may play in the Elite League with the strongest teams.”

Mikayılova also touched upon the factors that prevented them from becoming champions:

“We lost to both teams with a 2:3 score. Small details made the difference. The opponents were more accustomed to each other and to the conditions there. Since the tournament was held abroad, we felt some pressure. However, our gameplay was good – we had a training camp and prepared well. The teams we lost to had local players, while other clubs had legionnaires from Egypt and Iran.”

It should be noted that Azerbaijani table tennis players Zemfira Mikayılova and Mərziyyə Nurmətova, representing Masa Der Spor Klubu, won bronze medals in the Turkish Super League.