From September 19th until tomorrow, Sunday the 27th, Cagliari hosts the European Senior Badminton Championships, an event attended by 1,600 athletes from over 30 European countries. These players, including staff and companions, guarantee approximately 2,200 attendances in the Sardinian capital.
The event, which is taking place at the Monte Mixi facilities—with free admission for the public—awards the European titles in the men's and women's singles events and the men's, women's, and mixed doubles events. For each of the five disciplines, competitions are divided into age groups: ten categories for athletes aged 35 to 80.
Representing Sardinia are Francesco Feliziani, Simone Murru, Marino Murgia, and Rosario Maddaloni , who boasts 17 Italian national titles. Also present is Giovanni Greco, an Italian who has won 12 Italian national titles in his career. Among the foreign athletes, many have participated in the Olympics and World Championships, including Swedes Mattias Wigardt and Gabriel Ulldahl, and Germany's Claudia Vogelgsang.
In the quarterfinals of the men's over-35 singles, Rosario Maddaloni defeated Frenchman Tang 21-11, 21-13 yesterday to secure a spot in the semifinals and the bronze medal. However, an injury sustained in yesterday's match proved more serious than expected, and today the multiple Italian champion withdrew from his match against Germany's Paulsen, who advanced to the final without playing.
Maddaloni was satisfied, however: "In my career, I've won 17 Italian titles and participated in over 200 international tournaments, but playing a European Championship at home has a different feel. It was priceless and incredibly exciting to play in front of my wife, daughter, teammates, friends, and an extraordinary crowd. When Francesco Feliziani told me that Cagliari would host the European Championship, I had to prepare myself to achieve my goal of a medal, and experiencing it was fabulous, because I got a bronze medal—what a dream."
Francesco Feliziani , a player, organizing committee member, federal councilor, and director of the Regional Education Office, reveals how the European Championships are proving to be a unique opportunity for young Sardinian students: "Alongside the European Championships, a student village was established, organized with the support of the Ministry of Sport, which has allowed us to involve more than 2,000 Sardinian students, from elementary to high school, who, in addition to attending the matches, can enjoy a multi-sport experience, trying their hand at various disciplines. We have also initiated active collaborations with School-Work Training projects that involve hundreds of high school students, with specific roles depending on their major: some have been hired as line judges, others are in charge of catering and hospitality, social media and digital content, and still others are volunteers. They are making a significant contribution and enjoying a unique experience. Positive feedback from the visiting athletes is also coming. For them, it's a dream to play in Cagliari and then end the evening on the Poetto beach."
