Le  padel made its grand debut at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto And Spain didn't miss the opportunity. The Spanish team leaves Italy with  two gold medals and one silver medal confirming once again its dominance over European padel.

At men's,  José Antonio García Diestro / David Gala  secured the title. In the women's competition, Spain had already guaranteed gold before the final with an all-Spanish duel won by  Lucia Sainz / Patty Llaguno  face  Jimena Velasco / Nuria Rodriguez In mixed doubles, however, the title goes to  Portugal  thanks to the brothers and sisters  Pedro and Sofía Araújo .

Diestro / Gala crowned in front of the Italian public

In the men's final,  José Antonio García Diestro and David Gala  had to contend with an Italian pairing favored by their fans:  Álvaro Montiel / Flavio Abbate .

The first set was extremely close and decided by a tie-break. The Spanish team managed the important points better to take the lead, before pulling away in the second set.

Victoire  7 / 6 6 / 4  for Diestro / Gala, who thus become the  first male padel champions in the history of the Mediterranean Games .

A well-deserved reward for a pair who weren't necessarily considered the favorites at the start, but who managed their week perfectly. In the semi-finals, the Spaniards notably eliminated the Portuguese brothers.  Nuno and Miguel Deus 7/5 7/5 .

Sainz/Llaguno win the all-Spanish final

In the women's competition, Spain was certain to leave with the two best medals since  Lucia Sainz / Patty Llaguno  et  Jimena Velasco / Nuria Rodriguez  had both reached the final.

Experience has finally spoken.

Former world number 1s  Sainz and Llaguno  are required  6 / 3 6 / 4  and take the gold, while Velasco / Rodríguez leave with the silver medal.

Before that, Sainz/Llaguno had dominated the Italian women  Carolina Orsi / Giorgia Marchetti 6/3 6/4 while Velasco/Rodríguez had only conceded three games to the Portuguese  Sofía Araújo / Ana Catarina Nogueira: 6/2 6/1 .

For Sainz and Llaguno, this success adds another line to two already accomplished careers, this time in a historic competition for padel.

Portugal makes history in mixed

The only title that eludes Spain goes to  Portugal .

Brothers and sisters  Pedro Araújo / Sofía Araújo  won the mixed final against the Italians  Marco Cassetta / Giulia Dal Pozzo  at the end of a three-set match:  6/2 3/6 6/3 .

After a first set dominated by the Portuguese, Italy came back into the game before Araújo / Araújo regained control in the decisive set.

They thus become the  first mixed padel champions in the history of the Mediterranean Games .

Italy confirms it is getting closer

While Spain still finished well ahead, this edition also confirmed the progress of  italian padel .

Italy leaves Taranto with  four medals: two silver and two bronze , but no title. She was still present at several major events, notably with Montiel / Abbate in the men's final and Cassetta / Dal Pozzo in the mixed final.

The gap with Spain remains significant, but European competition continues to intensify.  Portugal , with his mixed title, also confirms his ability to get involved in the fight.

In the end, this first appearance of padel at the Mediterranean Games concludes with  Spain, the big winner Portugal won the mixed doubles title, and Italy confirmed its rise to prominence. Another successful international event for a discipline that continues to gain ground in major multi-sport competitions.

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !

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