On May 1, 2024, an event took place at the sports field of the FC Petrzalka the first Open-Air Teqball Tournament in Bratislava took place.
At this exciting event, I had the opportunity to play doubles with the talented Slovakian Monika Benusova. I already knew Monika from the 2023 Euro Teqball Youth Cup in Senec And she kindly stepped in at the last minute because my mixed doubles partner, Rea, had to drop out. So this was our first tournament together, and the challenges and sense of accomplishment we experienced were truly impressive.
The Start of the Tournament
It was clear from the start that the competition would be tough. Monika and I faced some strong teams, and during the group stage, it became apparent that we worked well together. We won three of our four games, which was enough to advance to the knockout round as the second-place team in our group. Our only loss was an important lesson that helped us refine our strategy and improve our coordination.
The Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals gave us the chance to play against an up-and-coming mixed doubles team that looked promising. Our nerves were put to the test, but we held our ground under pressure and secured the victory. Our combination of Monika’s precise returns and my aggressive attacks proved to be successful.
A Dramatic Semifinal
In the semifinals, we faced the top-ranked men’s doubles team of Marian Badar and Michal Molnar. Badar, ranked No. 42 in the world, and Molnar, the Slovak U19 champion, were considered the favorites. After an outstanding first set that we won 12–2, we were put to the test in the second set when our opponents staged a strong comeback and evened the score. The third and decisive set was a nail-biter right down to the last point, which we managed to win by a narrow margin. This victory was a huge moment for us, showing us that we can hold our own even against top-tier opponents.
The Intense Finale
In the final, we faced Branislav Rodman and Karina Zustakova from the Rodman Teqball Academy, an experienced mixed doubles pair ranked in the top 100. The first set was a challenge, and we had to learn quickly and adapt.
The second set was a battle for every rally, and we managed to win it narrowly, 12–11, thanks in part to our improved serves and powerful spikes. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough energy left to win the decisive third set, and we had to admit defeat.
Awards Ceremony
Reflection from Open-Air Teqball Tournament in Bratislava and the view
Although we didn’t win the championship, finishing in second place at a national tournament was an amazing achievement, especially given the strong competition. This tournament wasn’t just a platform to showcase our skills, but also a valuable experience that helped us grow closer as a team. The energy and team spirit we experienced during the tournament were inspiring. I look forward to further strengthening our partnership and achieving even greater success in the future.
My next stop on the tour is the Lithuanian Teqball Open on May 18, 2024, in Vilnius. After that, our home tournament, the PODOBEACH TEQBALL PRO INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT, will take place from June 14 to 16 in Podersdorf am See. After that, I’ll be in Denmark from June 21 to 23 for the TEQBALL TOUR GRINDSTED, where I’ll compete not only in the singles competition but also in the men’s doubles alongside David Kontra from Hungary.
