Ambitious paddlers’ plan for the European Games. “We are going for a medal”.

Padel is one of the disciplines that is hoping to gain popularity through the European Games Krakow – Malopolska 2023. – We are not the favourites of the tournament. However, I would like all the athletes to have it in their heads that we are going for a medal, no matter what phase of the tournament it will be,” emphasises Wladyslaw Sredniawa, coach and preparation coordinator of the Polish team.

The paddlers are not slowing down with their preparations for the European Games. The training camp in Alicante is behind them, and now they are polishing their form in Marbella.

‘In addition to two training sessions a day on court, strength and endurance training is also planned. During the camp, two men’s pairs and one women’s pair will take part in the FIP tournament in Torremolinos near Malaga. Maciej Naduk with Mateusz Lipiński and Zosia Piórkowska and Ola Rosolska will play in the main tournament right away, while Jerzy Janowicz and Marcin Maszczyk will probably have to play in the qualifying rounds – emphasises coach Średniawa on iPadel.pl.

The paddlers’ preparations are entirely subordinated to the European Games. With this event, the athletes want to present this dynamically developing sport, and there is no better promotion than success. That is why the Poles are aiming high.

‘As a coach, I don’t think about the chances themselves, but about the attitude of the athletes. And the attitude is to medal. Looking at the ranking page, I realise that we are not the favourites. However, I would like all the players to have in their minds that we are going for a medal, no matter what phase of the tournament it will be,’ Średniawa points out.

The coach notes that the strongest rivals will be teams from Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Italy and France.