Dempo Goa Challengers Create History with Unbeaten UTT League Campaign After 10-5 Win Over UP Prometheans

The Dempo Goa Challengers etched their names into the history books of Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 by becoming the first team ever to complete the league phase unbeaten. 

The two-time champions defeated UP Prometheans 10-5 on Wednesday in Goa, capping off a flawless campaign in which they won all six of their league ties to finish comfortably at the top of the standings.

With the playoffs just around the corner, Goa's latest victory not only reinforced their status as title favourites but also showcased the remarkable consistency that has defined their season. Led by international stars Bernadette Szocs and Alvaro Robles, and supported by the emerging Indian talent of Abhinandh PB, the Challengers once again delivered a complete team performance.

Although UP Prometheans fought back late in the tie through Manav Thakkar and Yangzi Liu, Goa had already done enough to secure another convincing victory and create a landmark achievement in Ultimate Table Tennis history.

Goa entered the tie knowing victory would complete a perfect league campaign, and they wasted little time asserting their dominance. Spanish paddler Alvaro Robles opened proceedings with a commanding straight-games victory over Sudhanshu Grover. Robles barely allowed his opponent any rhythm, using his powerful forehand and consistent placement to secure an emphatic 11-7, 11-5, 11-4 win.

The comprehensive victory immediately gave Goa momentum while placing early pressure on the UP Prometheans.

Robles has been one of Goa's most reliable performers throughout the season, and once again he delivered when his team needed him most.

Romanian star Bernadette Szocs once again proved why she has been one of the standout players of Butterfly UTT Season 7. Facing India's Sayali Wani, Szocs appeared set for another routine victory after comfortably taking the opening game 11-3. However, Wani responded brilliantly to level the contest by winning the second game 11-9, forcing the experienced Romanian to raise her level.

Szocs responded like a champion. Displaying remarkable composure under pressure, she edged a closely contested deciding game 11-9, extending Goa's advantage while maintaining her own impressive record this season.

Her influence extended beyond singles, as she would later play a decisive role in the mixed doubles encounter.

The turning point of the evening arrived in the mixed doubles. Goa paired Bernadette Szocs with the in-form Abhinandh PB, while UP fielded the experienced combination of Ricardo Walther and Swastika Ghosh. Although every game remained closely contested, Goa consistently found the crucial points at decisive moments.

The pair edged the opening game 11-9, followed it up with a dramatic 11-10 second-game victory before closing out the contest 11-9 to complete a 3-0 sweep. The victory effectively sealed the tie and ensured Goa's unbeaten league campaign remained intact.

Throughout the season, Goa's mixed doubles combinations have repeatedly delivered under pressure, making them one of the most balanced teams in the competition heading into the knockout rounds.

Despite losing the tie, the UP Prometheans refused to surrender quietly. India international Manav Thakkar produced one of the performances of the evening to defeat Abhinandh PB in three games. After comfortably winning the opening two games 11-8 and 11-7, Manav appeared headed for a straight-games victory before Abhinandh mounted a spirited comeback to take the third game 11-8.

Although the overall tie had already slipped away, the victory handed Abhinandh just his second singles defeat of the campaign after an outstanding season. UP also finished strongly through former two-time UTT MVP Yangzi Liu. Taking on India's teenage sensation Syndrela Das, Liu recovered impressively after narrowly dropping the opening game 10-11.

Drawing on her vast experience, the Chinese paddler dominated the final two games 11-7 and 11-6 to register UP's second victory of the evening. The late resistance reduced the final scoreline but could not prevent Goa from celebrating a historic achievement.

Several Goa players were recognised for their outstanding performances. Bernadette Szocs was named both the ChatGPT MatchIQ Player of the Tie and the Foreign Player of the Tie, reflecting her decisive contributions in both singles and mixed doubles. Young Indian star Abhinandh PB received the Indian Player of the Tie award, continuing his breakthrough campaign despite suffering a rare singles defeat.

Meanwhile, Alvaro Robles claimed the Bisleri Shot of the Tie award after another commanding display. The individual honours highlighted the balance within the Goa squad, with international experience and emerging Indian talent combining seamlessly throughout the league phase.

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Winning all six league ties is an extraordinary achievement in a competition as competitive as Ultimate Table Tennis. Season 7 has featured 42 players from across the world, including 14 Olympians, making Goa's unbeaten run even more impressive. Their success has been built on consistency rather than dependence on a single player.

Robles has provided stability in the men's singles; Szocs has been among the league's best foreign players, while Abhinandh PB and the rest of the Indian contingent have consistently delivered valuable points.

That depth makes Goa a formidable opponent heading into the semifinals.

While Goa's position at the top of the standings is now secure, attention shifts to the final league-stage clash between Dabang Delhi TTC and PBG Pune Jaguars on Thursday. The winner will claim the fourth and final semifinal berth, completing the playoff lineup for Butterfly UTT Season 7.

As the league enters its decisive phase, Dempo Goa Challengers have already sent a powerful message to the rest of the competition. Their unbeaten run has not only secured top spot but also established a new benchmark in Ultimate Table Tennis history. With confidence high, momentum firmly behind them and every department firing, the two-time champions now stand just two victories away from adding another UTT title to their growing legacy.