UTT Season 6: Reigning Champions Dempo Goa Challengers face resolute U Mumba TT in semi-final 2

ANI June 15, 2025 243 views

Defending champions Dempo Goa Challengers aim for a historic third consecutive UTT final as they clash with playoff returnees U Mumba TT. Singapore's Zeng Jian remains unbeaten for Goa while U Mumba's foreign duo Szocs and Bardet hit peak form. The winner advances to face debut finalists Jaipur Patriots in Sunday's championship match. All eyes are on Ahmedabad's EKA Arena for this battle between table tennis powerhouses.

"Zeng Jian won all five of her matches and dropped just one game across the league phase." – UTT Press Release
Ahmedabad, June 14: Reigning champions Dempo Goa Challengers will be eyeing a third-straight final appearance when they take on a resolute U Mumba TT in the second semi-final of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 6 on Saturday, as per a release.

Key Points

1

Dempo Goa eye third straight final with Zeng Jian's unbeaten streak

2

U Mumba return to knockouts after Season 3 absence

3

Winner faces Jaipur Patriots in Sunday's Grand Finale

4

Szocs and Bardet lead U Mumba's late-season surge

Back-to-back champions and the only team to have won two UTT titles, Goa finished second in the table with three tie wins and 44 points. U Mumba, who last made the playoffs in Season 3, return to the knockouts after finishing third with two points fewer. The winner of this tie will face first-time finalists Jaipur Patriots in the Grand Finale on Sunday.

Staged under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani, UTT continues to grow as a premier professional league. All 23 ties, over 16 action-packed days, will take place at Ahmedabad's EKA Arena, with tickets available only on BookMyShow.

Dempo Goa Challengers have alternated wins and losses throughout the league stage but remain a powerhouse led by Harmeet Desai and the dominant Zeng Jian, who won all five of her matches and dropped just one game across the league phase. Zeng also played a key role in the mixed doubles, partnering Harmeet for two important wins.

Harmeet himself has been consistent with four wins from five, while Krittwika Sinha Roy has quietly impressed, winning three of her four matches, including a memorable victory over China's Fan Siqi. Brazil's Vitor Ishiy, brought in as a late replacement for Tiago Apolonia, began his UTT campaign with a win.

U Mumba, meanwhile, come in with momentum firmly on their side after back-to-back tie wins. Their foreign unit has clicked into gear with Bernadette Szocs and Lilian Bardet each winning four of their last five singles rubbers. Indian youngster Yashaswini Ghorpade has continued her impressive season, notching three wins from four, while Abhinandh PB turned heads in his first appearance, taking down Singapore's Izaac Quek, one of the league's top foreign paddlers. The Szocs-Akash Pal pairing has also delivered in mixed doubles, winning three out of five.

Dempo Goa Challengers and U Mumba did not meet in the league stage, making this their first clash of the season. With both squads stacked with in-form players, the semi-final promises fresh, high-stakes matchups as they battle for a place in the final.

Dempo Goa Challengers: Zeng Jian (Singapore), Harmeet Desai, Vitor Ishiy (Brazil), Ronit Bhanja, Krittwika Sinha Roy, Sayali Wani

U Mumba: Bernadette Szocs (Romania), Lilian Bardet (France), Yashaswini Ghorpade, Swastika Ghosh, Akash Pal, Abhinandh PB.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
What a season UTT is having! 🔥 Dempo Goa's consistency is impressive but U Mumba's young guns like Yashaswini and Abhinandh are the real dark horses. That win against Izaac Quek was something else! Indian table tennis future looks bright 🇮🇳
P
Priya M.
Zeng Jian is literally carrying Dempo on her shoulders! 5/5 wins with just 1 game dropped? That's insane domination. But U Mumba's mixed doubles pairing looks dangerous too. Can't wait for this clash!
A
Arjun S.
As a Goan, I'm nervous about this match! Our team has been inconsistent this season unlike previous years. Krittwika has been our silent performer though. Hope Harmeet brings his A-game today 🤞
S
Sneha R.
UTT deserves more attention! The quality of matches is world class but still not getting prime time coverage. Bernadette Szocs vs Zeng Jian would be an epic clash if it happens. Why isn't this on Star Sports?
V
Vikram J.
Mixed feelings about foreign players dominating Indian leagues. On one hand it raises competition, but are we giving enough chances to our own players? That said, Abhinandh's performance shows Indian talent is stepping up!
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Neha P.
The real winner is Indian table tennis! 🏓 From empty stands few years back to packed stadiums in Ahmedabad. Kudos to TTFI and organizers. My money's on Dempo - their championship experience will show in crunch moments.

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