From June 14 to 16, 2024, Podersdorf am See was transformed into a true teqball stronghold. The 2nd PODOBEACH Teqball Pro International Tournament brought together 26 participants from twelve European countries and featured not only high-level matches but also an impressive variety of talents and age groups. The tournament was planned and organized by Anton Kiss, our coach and head of the Teqball division at the multisport club laketownRIDERS, in close collaboration with Podersdorf Tourism.
Young and Old Caught Up in Teqball Fever
Special mention goes to 14-year-old Clemens Rath from St. Andrä am Zicksee, the youngest participant, and 73-year-old veteran Marek Kaminski from Poland, the oldest participant. It was truly inspiring to see how Teqball brings people of all ages together and gets them excited. Both impressed the audience with their passion and skill, demonstrating that Teqball knows no age limits—it’s a sport for young and old alike.
Personal Highlights and Valuable Teqball Lessons
Before the tournament, there was an exclusive training session with Martin Csereklye, who is currently ranked No. 5 in the world. Training with such a top-tier player was an incredible experience and gave me valuable insights and tips for my own game.
For me personally, the tournament was an exciting experience. I finished fifth in singles and played against Oleh Usychenko from Ukraine, who is currently ranked 19th in the world, in the quarterfinals. Even though I lost by a narrow margin (10–12, 12–7, 12–5), I’m proud of my performance. Fair play was especially important to me: With the score at 8–10 in the first set, I called a table touch myself that the referee had missed.
Friendships and Celebrations Next to the Teqball Court
The tournament was a complete success off the field as well. In particular, the legendary Players' Party at the Born to Beach Club created a great atmosphere. The owner, Antonio Rosa, also treated every player and referee to a drink. Thank you very much for that.
International friendships were strengthened, and the fantastic weather made the event unforgettable for everyone involved. It was great to get to know the other players in a relaxed atmosphere and celebrate together.
Results and Winners
In the singles competition, Martin Csereklye of Hungary, ranked No. 5 in the world, took first place ahead of Patryk Kaminski of Poland and Oleh Usychenko of Ukraine. Lasha Mushkudiani of Georgia, a brilliant soccer freestyler, finished fourth.
In doubles, Patryk Kaminski and Ewa Kaminska from Poland took first place. Pasquale Errico from Italy and Lasha Mushkudiani from Georgia took second place, followed by Rui Leitao from Portugal and Oleh Usychenko from Ukraine in third place. Peter Gergely and Bence Simo from Romania, who had defeated Georg Haider and me in the quarterfinals, took fourth place.
The other results for the Austrian players:
- Clemens Rath and Patrick Steinhofer were eliminated in the doubles during the second group stage.
- Georg Haider finished in 9th place in the singles competition.
- Georg Haider and I finished in 5th place in the men's doubles.
- Nina Steinbauer and Daniel Neuhold also finished in 5th place in mixed doubles.
- Unfortunately, Andrea Sommer had to withdraw due to injury and finished in 5th place.
Special Thanks and a Look to the Future
A big thank you goes to the sponsor Podersdorf Tourism, who played a key role in the tournament's success and at Red Bull for the beverage sponsorship. Podersdorf has once again proven itself to be Teqball Hotspot I've established myself in Austria, and my club, the laketownRIDERS (Teqball division), has solidified its reputation as the country's leading Teqball club.
The next challenge is already waiting for me: the Teqball Tour in Grindsted, Denmark, June 21–23. In addition, PODOBEACH offers Teqball for beginners every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. and a free introductory session for vacationers and locals every Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon through the end of August. You’re welcome to sign up for these sessions through my Sign up for the contact form (click).
Conclusion – 2nd PODOBEACH Teqball Pro International Tournament
The 2nd PODOBEACH Teqball Pro International Tournament featured exciting matches, spectacular rallies, and an enthusiastic crowd. Podersdorf am See has once again proven to be the perfect venue for this up-and-coming sport. It was an unforgettable weekend, and I’m already looking forward to the next challenges and events. It’s going to be exciting!
