After the closing of the 13th edition of FIP European Padel Championships, it’s time to do some analysis. This edition, held in Cagliari from July 22 to 27, broke records with a total of 51 teams registered: 30 countries in the men's category and 21 in the women's category, much more than the 29 teams registered during the  previous edition in Marbella in 2021. 

Results of the qualifying phases

After the qualifying phase, the men's and women's teams who advanced to the final phase were:

Spanish domination

Faced with these results, it is time to discuss the impressive superiority of the Spanish team, as usual. Indeed, Spain has won 11 of the 13 editions of this championship.

Although countries like Italy and France have considerably increased their level of play, and Portugal and Sweden are starting to have players who reason on the circuit, this does not seem to be enough to tickle Spain. Not to mention the overwhelming results observed during the qualifying phases. The question then arises: what does Spain do that is different from others?

Rodrigo-Ovide-Juan-Lebron-Paquito-Navarro

It is well known that Spain has the most important sports facilities in the world and that the most renowned padel coaches and trainers have established themselves there with their academies. This forces all those who want to develop their level to go to Spain. Therefore, it is difficult for other countries to compete with this Iberian platform.

An effort to diversify padel

La  FIP  is making a big effort to decentralize padel and take it to other horizons, in order to reverse the current situation and try to balance the level of padel between nations, which would make the circuit more interesting. However, we will have to wait a few years to see the results.

Padel at the Olympic Games?

Could this difference in level between nations hinder the recognition of padel as an Olympic sport? Knowing that at present, Spain or Argentina would be the probable winners, the integration of padel into the Olympic Games Would it be considered unattractive? Let's hope that in the near future, all the combined efforts will allow padel to reach the place it deserves and that we can enjoy a balanced and competitive world circuit.

Sebastian diaz

Sebastián Díaz is a sports project manager specialized in the world of padel.
Currently he is the director of Grancia Padel Club in Switzerland, and he will explore the field of writing to share his passion for this sport through each of his articles.

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