2025 - Shuttlecock European Championships

ISF Admin
5 days ago
5 min read

Hungary, October 2025

Exciting moments at the 8th European Shuttlecock Championship in Hungary

The Hungarian national team won six of the seven possible gold medals at the European Shuttlecock Championship held in Nagykáta and Tápióbicske between 25 and 28 October. Hungarian players were victorious in the men's and women's team events, men's and women's doubles, and men's and women's singles. The mixed double’s title was claimed by the German team.

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Background and format

Before this event the last European Championship was organized by the European Shuttlecock Association (SFE) in 2016, also hosted by Hungary, in Kistelek, Csongrád-Csanád county. The series of continental championships was interrupted due to organizational difficulties and the COVID-19 pandemic, but recently it seems that SFE works effectively.

Representatives from seven countries—Austria, France, Hungary, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, and Romania—participated in the EC. The new format, which allows two units from the same country to enter each event made the competition more impressive as due to the bigger amount of players we could see more exciting matches.

The events

Women's team and singles

Team events came to pass on the very first day, when Hungary 1 played against Hungary 2 for the gold medal in the women's team event, with the result of Hungary 1 winning. The gold medal-winning team included Letícia Diós, Fanni Ézsiás, Lilla Farkas, Erzsébet Hornyák, and Dorka Szaszkó, while the silver was secured by Barbara Berezvai, Petra Dániel, Lili Horváth, and Diána Pál. Franziska Oberlies, Sarah Rüsseler, Kathrin Zentarra and Janina Kolmer from Germany won the bronze medals.

In women's single, two Hungarians also played for the top spot, with Lilla Farkas defeating the youngest member of the national team, the 15-year-old Petra Dániel. Bronze medals went for Sarah Rüsseler from Germany who is an outstanding person for decades in the international shuttlecock playing.

Men's team and singles

The Hungarian teams also battled against each other in the men's team event, though only for a spot in the final. While Germany 1 won against France 1 at the other semi-final. The final brought success for Benett Baranyai, Gergő Horváth, Benedek Lukács, Márton Lukács, and Dominik Palotás. The players excelled in the final, defeating the strong Germany 1 (Philip Kühne, Torben Nass, Christopher Zentarra, David Zentarra) with a mature performance after losing the first set. The other Hungarian team (Martin Kökény, Zoltán Kökény, Zoltán Lakatos, Alexander Rab) overcame Charlie Amans, Etienne Gastineau, Jeremy Godat, Corentin Pestel and Thanh Trung Nguyen (France 1) in the bronze medal match.

In Men's singles, the EC debutante Dominik Palotás fought his way into the final four, where he only managed to steal a set from the German ranking leader, Christopher Zentarra. Alexander Rab defeated Christopher's older brother, David, in the semifinal, and then overcame the younger sibling in the final.

Mixed and women's/men's doubles

Mixed double brought exciting matches in the group stages, as well. Benedek Lukács and Diána Pál defeated the stronger German unit in the group stage, but due to Lukács's injury, they were unable to perform at their best later on and finished fourth. Martin Kökény also got injured, and Lilla Farkas was able to compensate for his hitting power for a while, but it was not enough against the German pair in the final. Torben Nass and Sarah Rüsseler became the champions. Bronze medal also went for Germany, Philip Kühne and Franziska Oberlies won it.

The EC concluded with the double’s competitions. In the men's doubles both semi-finals were between Hungarian and German teams, they were really though matches. Alexander Rab and Zoltán Kökény (Hungary 2) fought their way into the final, where they were met by Philip Kühne and Torben Nass (Germany 2), who had fended off match points in their semi-final. The Hungarian pair secured the gold with a more consistent performance. The Horváth, Baranyai duo won the bronze medal after their opponent withdrew due to injury. In a great display of sportsmanship, the Hungarian pair called the Germans up onto the podium with them.

In the women's doubles, the two Hungarian pairs met in the group stage, where the Lilla Farkas, Fanni Ézsiás pair won against the Barbara Berezvai, Lili Horváth duo. However, the balance of power shifted in the final, and the younger pair became the European Champions after three sets. Bronze medal was won by Janina Kolmer and Sarah Rüsseler from Germany.

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Off-court activities and organization

In addition to the many exciting and close matches, there was also time for entertainment and cultural programs. On Sunday morning, Máté Nagy, the local head organizer from the Tápióbicske Shuttlecock Team guided us to the site of the victorious battle of Tápióbicske during the 1848-49 revolution and war of independence. Traditionalists, including hussars, recounted the battle, showcased period attire, fired a cannon, and offered a tasting of traditional Hungarian dishes. During the presentations, we learned that the Tápióbicske battlefield is featured not only in history books but also, for example, in Mór Jókai's novel The Man with the Stone Hearts (in Hungarian: Kőszívű ember fiai).

After the mixed double’s event, we were hosted at the charming forest school near Tápióbicske. Eating paprikás krumpli (potato stew with paprika) prepared by the locals in the night-time forest was a unique experience.

On the last day of the event, the Tápióbicske organizing team also created a venue to make memorable moments. Before the finals, the audience was warmed up for the matches by a performance from the Budaörsi Vivace Dance Club. Then, the competitors entered accompanied by a light show provided by Special Effects. Following the intense matches, the Hungarian competitors celebrated at the award ceremony, and later at the closing party held in Tápiószentmárton.

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Youth participation and volunteer support

In addition to the national team members, also kids had the opportunity to test their strength. Young shuttlecock players from Dunaújváros, Szederkény and Újszász were invited to participate in a large "Indian game" and a randomized team event. It was a huge experience for the children to be announced like the adults, and to have their matches watched by national team competitors from other nations.

It was a great feeling to see several domestic shuttlecock clubs unite to successfully organize the European Championship. Current and former players undertook tasks such as transporting competitors, refereeing matches, and other event-related duties. The locals of Tápióbicske gave every competitor and invited guest a handmade gift, along with the official event T-shirt and refreshments. Róbert Herczegh, the mayor of Tápióbicske, also supported the event; he was present at the opening ceremony, cultural program, and award ceremony, and helped establish local collaborations.

We sincerely thank the work of the volunteers involved in the realization of the event and the Tápióbicske Shuttlecock Team for hosting the European Championship.

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