For the second consecutive year, the city of Prešov, Slovakia, hosted a Challenger Teqball League (CTL) event, bringing together 53 athletes from 10 nationalities for a weekend defined by world-class competition, the presence of several world champions, and the unique sense of community that continues to distinguish the circuit.

 

The event was once again organised by the Slovak Teqball Federation, which has consistently contributed to the development of the sport through the successful delivery of international competitions. Over the past few years, Slovakia has become one of the most active hosts on the international calendar, playing an important role in the continued growth of Teqball and in strengthening the Challenger Teqball League as one of FITEQ’s flagship competition series.

 

One of the highlights of the event was the participation of the Ukrainian National Team, represented by a delegation of eight athletes, all currently residing in Ukraine. Beyond the competitive aspect, their participation provided valuable international experience while further integrating them into the global Teqball community.

 

The tournament also fulfilled one of the core objectives behind the creation of the Challenger Teqball League: offering meaningful international competitive opportunities for athletes at different stages of their development. Several players made their official FITEQ debut in Prešov, once again underlining the CTL’s importance as a platform for the future growth of the sport.

 

Throughout the weekend, the atmosphere remained one of the defining characteristics of the event. Fair play, mutual respect, sportsmanship and camaraderie were evident across every category, once again reflecting the values that define the international Teqball community.

 

Women's Doubles

 

The Women's Doubles competition featured one of the strongest line-ups of the weekend. Among the leading contenders were Zsofia Dezsenyi (HUN) and Kinga Barabasi (ROU), Hungarian internationals Petra Pechy (HUN) and Nora Vicsek (HUN), the experienced partnership of Gabriella Kota (HUN) and Krisztina Acs (HUN), as well as the French-Polish pairing of Amelie Julian (FRA) and Agnieszka Zmudzka (POL).

 

All four pairs justified their status by advancing to the semi-finals. Dezsenyi and Barabasi defeated Pechy and Vicsek, while Kota and Acs overcame Julian and Zmudzka to book the second place in the championship match.

 

The final produced one of the best matches of the tournament and required a deciding third set. Kota and Acs ultimately emerged victorious thanks to their consistency, exceptional chemistry and years of playing together. Their disciplined performance, low number of unforced errors and composure during the decisive moments proved enough to overcome Dezsenyi and Barabasi and secure the title.

"We are really happy with the result. There were some high-level opponents in the tournament. We had stability both in attack and defence, and in the end that brought us the final victory," said Gabriella Kota following the Women's Doubles final.

 

Mixed Doubles

 

The Mixed Doubles competition featured another outstanding field. Naturally, reigning world champions Apor Gyorgydeak (ROU) and Barabasi entered the event among the favourites. They were joined by several other strong partnerships, including Kota and Balazs Katz (HUN), Julian and Benjamin Toth (HUN), Acs and Marek Pokwap (POL), as well as Pechy and Adam Blazsovics (HUN).

 

As expected, Barabasi and Gyorgydeak reached the final, where they met Acs and Pokwap.

 

The championship match proved to be one of the highlights of the entire tournament. Spectators enjoyed long rallies, outstanding technical quality and continuous transitions between attack and defence. In a contest decided by the finest margins, Acs and Pokwap displayed greater composure in the decisive moments, reduced their unforced errors and deservedly claimed the Mixed Doubles title in Prešov.

 

Men's Doubles

 

The Men's Doubles competition once again showcased the remarkable depth of the international field. Among the favourites were the young Hungarian pairing of Boldizsar Levik (HUN) and Toth, Katz and Blazsovics, Gergo Dombai (HUN) and Gergo Varga (HUN), one of the breakthrough pairings of the season, Nikola Mitro (SRB) and Stefan Orlowski (POL), as well as the experienced partnership of Pokwap and Gyorgydeak.

 

Following a highly competitive group stage, the quarter-finals produced only one major surprise as Dombai and Varga eliminated Levik and Toth.

 

In the semi-finals, Pokwap and Gyorgydeak confirmed their status as title contenders by defeating Dombai and Varga, while Mitro and Orlowski produced an excellent performance to overcome Katz and Blazsovics, securing their place in the final.

 

The championship match marked the fourth Challenger Teqball League final this season between Pokwap and Gyorgydeak and Mitro and Orlowski.

 

Once again, Pokwap and Gyorgydeak prevailed, winning in straight sets. Although Mitro and Orlowski once again demonstrated their outstanding individual quality, they were unable to reproduce the level that had carried them through the earlier rounds, committing several unforced errors and lacking their usual rhythm throughout the contest.

 

The final once again illustrated an important characteristic of elite Teqball. While individual talent remains essential, long-term partnership, chemistry, shared experience and a deep tactical understanding between teammates continue to be decisive factors at the highest level. Those qualities once again proved to be the difference, allowing Pokwap and Gyorgydeak to extend their impressive run of success on the Challenger Teqball League circuit.

 

With excellent organisation, outstanding technical standards, athletes representing 10 nationalities and an atmosphere built on respect, fair play and sportsmanship, the Challenger Teqball League – Prešov once again demonstrated the continued growth of the circuit while reinforcing its role as one of FITEQ's most important international competition platforms for the development and global promotion of Teqball.

 

The Challenger Teqball League continues with its next stop in Santarém, Portugal, from 27–29 August, where another exciting weekend of international competition awaits. Fans around the world will be able to follow the finals live on FITEQ's official YouTube channel, TEQ