The Big Question

15 Mai 2018

How many medals did little Switzerland bring home from the big Racketlon Doubles and Mixed World Championships in Nussloch (Germany)? To say it straight away, the small delegation brought 4 big medals across the border and one victory over the World Champions.

How is that possible? Benjamin Gränicher (for not up-to-date people known as Hampl) together with his partner Dan Busby (GB) competed in the Men’s A Doubles in a group of 5 teams. They unfortunately lost to the later silver and bronze medal winners, but managed to win as the only team against the German pair (Thorsten Deck and Christian Wiessner) and later World Champions. Consequently, our Swiss/English pair finished 4th. This is just another example that a lot is depending on the different profiles.

The situation was much clearer in the Women’s Elite Doubles. The winners of 2016 – Christine Seehofer (AUT) and Natalie Paul (GER) World Championships could defend their title quite comfortably. The big question in this draw was more about silver. Will it be the comeback team or our Swiss/Austrian pair? Nicole Eisler and Bettina Bugl unfortunately didn’t win big enough in table tennis. Even though they played an excellent badminton together they lost in the end by only 4 points ­– but were also happy with bronze and the victory over the German team.

Two more bronze medals were won by our youngest and the most experienced player: Dara Ladner paired up with another junior, Oskari Laiho from Finnland. The pair seemed to get on well on the court even though they haven’t met before and were happy to end on the podium in the Juniors Mixed U21 category. Graham King stood on the podium as well together with Julian Clapp (GB) in the Men’s +60 Doubles. Rumours say that the secret of his success lies in the fact that he was wearing a right sock for his left foot.

On top of the 3 bronze medals Esther Dübendorfer, together with Bruce Shepherd (GB), won the only silver medal. Comfortably having made their way to the finals they only lost this last match to the clearly dominating pair from England/Hungary (Izzy Bramhall (former Tyrrell)/Levente Nandori).

After 2 intense days of playing the Doubles World Championships some players went home and some new players came to compete at the IWT Nussloch Open held at the same venue.

Léon Mamié was still fresh and won bronze in the U21 category. He was only 3 points away from winning silver and was a bit disappointed. The way he is focused and skilled with his hands is promising for the future, though.

Bronze seemed to be the most popular colour of the Swiss team this weekend: Nicole Eisler (Women A), Benjamin Gränicher (Men A) and Beat Ladner (Men B) all reached the semifinals and played for bronze in the end ... and won it!!! The clearer it was with Eisler against Anna-Klara Ahlmer (SWE), the tighter it was with Gränicher against FIR president Kresten Hougaard (DEN) (+4) and Ladner with only +1!

Was there no Swiss gold medal? Luckily this big question Esther Dübendorfer answered with a clear yes: She won in the Women +40 the only Swiss gold medal of the long weekend.

Not only the players have to recover from this event, but also all the mostly young helpers and organisers who did a great job. A very modern venue with an excellent gastronomie and physiotherapie service make definitively worth a visit, even if you don’t win a medal.

Results Doubles and Mixed World Championships

Results Nussloch Open

Nicole Eisler

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