The Challenger Teqball League & Open Gijón marked a historic milestone for Spanish Teqball as the city hosted an international event of this scale for the very first time. Held from 10–12 July at Pabellón de Deportes La Tejerona, the tournament welcomed athletes from Brazil, France, Hungary, Lebanon, Portugal, Romania and Spain, combining world-class competition with the emergence of a new generation of talent.

 

Organised by Noreña Teqball Club, the event successfully delivered two competitions over three days in a welcoming atmosphere, showcasing Gijón’s passion for sport while further expanding the international reach of the Challenger Teqball League.

 

Barabasi Continues Her Winning Streak in Women's Singles

 

The Women's Singles competition unfolded largely according to expectations, with Kinga Barabasi (ROU) - Gobek Teqball Team player and Amelie Julian (FRA - GFEC Caixeiros Santarém) progressing to the final.

 

The Romanian produced another composed and consistent performance, limiting unforced errors and controlling the key moments of the match to secure yet another international Women's Singles title.

 

The bronze medals were shared by GFEC Caixeiros Santarém's two players - Carolina Clemente (POR) and Zsofia Dezsenyi (HUN),  who both impressed throughout the tournament with confident displays.

 

The Spanish fans had high hopes for local favourites Tania Canal (ESP) and Chivi Ferrer (ESP), but despite determined performances, neither player managed to advance beyond the group stage.

 

Young Portuguese Star Challenges the World Champion

 

While reigning World Champion Apor Gyorgydeak (ROU) - Gobek Teqball Team player ultimately captured the Men's Singles title, one of the tournament's biggest stories belonged to Goncalo Reis (POR).

 

Only 18 years old, Reis produced a remarkable breakthrough performance after being drawn into arguably the strongest group of the tournament alongside Benjamin Toth (HUN), Soma Cseri (HUN) and Daniel Varga (HUN). The Portuguese youngster sensationally topped the group before defeating compatriot and doubles partner Martim Vasques (POR) in the semi-finals. Vasques had also impressed throughout the competition, finishing second in his group after pushing Gyorgydeak to three sets.

 

The final once again highlighted Reis' enormous potential. Although Gyorgydeak successfully defended his status as tournament favourite, the young Portuguese player fought for every point and pushed the reigning World Champion throughout the match, confirming himself as one of the brightest emerging talents on the international circuit.

 

Romanian-Hungarian Duo Prevails in Women's Doubles

 

The Women's Doubles tournament also followed the expected script, with the leading partnerships reaching the decisive stages.

 

The final saw Kinga Barabasi (ROU) and Zsofia Dezsenyi (HUN) defeat Maria Chedid (LBN) and Amelie Julian (FRA) in straight sets. Although the scoreboard suggested a comfortable victory, the match proved far more competitive than the result indicated.

 

Chedid and Julian, benefiting from greater experience together, made an excellent start and created several problems for their opponents. However, Barabasi and Dezsenyi gradually found their rhythm, adapted quickly to one another's playing style and ultimately demonstrated superior quality to lift the title.

 

Hungarian Final Delivers High-Class Men's Doubles Battle

 

One of the most anticipated stories of the weekend was the reunion of Illyes Szabolcs (ROU) and Apor Gyorgydeak (ROU), silver medallists at the 2021 World Championships in Gliwice, bronze medallists at the 2022 World Championships in Nuremberg and partners in more than 300 matches together.

 

The experienced Romanian pairing comfortably won their group ahead of the talented Portuguese duo of Martim Vasques and Goncalo Reis, as well as the Iberian partnership of Joao Rodrigues (POR) and Manuel Sanchez Poncela (ESP).

 

In the opposite group, Benjamin Toth (HUN) and Soma Cseri (HUN) finished ahead of Daniel Varga and Mate Hercegfi (HUN) to book their place in the semi-finals.

 

Both semi-finals produced teqball of exceptional quality. Illyes and Gyorgydeak advanced with an impressive victory over Daniel Varga and Mate Hercegfi, while Benjamin Toth and Soma Cseri needed three thrilling sets to overcome the rapidly improving Portuguese pairing of Martim Vasques and Goncalo Reis.

 

The final delivered some of the highest-quality rallies of the weekend. Illyes once again demonstrated the technical brilliance that has characterised his legendary career, while Gyorgydeak covered enormous ground throughout the contest. However, after a physically demanding three-set battle, the younger Hungarian pairing proved fresher during the decisive moments. Benjamin Toth and Soma Cseri eventually claimed the title with an outstanding display of consistency and composure.

 

World Champions Dominate Mixed Doubles

 

The Mixed Doubles draw featured one of the strongest fields of the weekend, led by reigning World Champions Kinga Barabasi (ROU) and Apor Gyorgydeak (ROU).

 

Among the other leading contenders were Amelie Julian and Benjamin Toth, Maria Chedid and Soma Cseri, Zsofia Dezsenyi and Daniel "Dodi" Varga, Carolina Clemente and Martim Vasques, as well as Spanish favourites Tania Canal and Manuel Sanchez Poncela.

 

The reigning World Champions comfortably progressed through the group stage before eliminating Chivi Ferrer and Goncalo Reis in the quarter-finals.

 

Their semi-final against Amelie Julian and Benjamin Toth produced one of the most unusual matches of the tournament. Momentum shifted dramatically throughout the encounter before Barabasi and Gyorgydeak prevailed 12–1, 4–12, 12–4.

 

In the second semi-final, Maria Chedid and Soma Cseri produced a composed performance to defeat Zsofia Dezsenyi and Daniel "Dodi" Varga in straight sets.

 

The final belonged once again to the reigning World Champions. Barabasi and Gyorgydeak controlled the match from the opening points, defeating Maria Chedid and Soma Cseri in convincing fashion to add another international Mixed Doubles title to their remarkable collection.

 

Building a Lasting Legacy in Spain

 

Beyond the results, the inaugural Challenger Teqball League & Open Gijón successfully fulfilled one of the core objectives of the Challenger Teqball League: bringing international teqball to new destinations while creating a lasting legacy for local communities.

 

Approximately eight athletes, both men and women, made their international competitive debut during the event, representing another important step in the growth of Spanish Teqball.

 

The tournament also contributed significantly to the development of officiating in Spain, with four Spanish referees successfully completing the FITEQ Referee Course under the supervision of Portuguese International Referee Telmo Monteiro (POR).

 

Together, these achievements have strengthened the foundations of Spanish Teqball by expanding the player base, increasing the number of qualified referees and reinforcing the country's ability to host future national and international competitions.