Bea Corrales and Kike Peñalver light the flame

Spain already has representatives in the round of 16 of the European badminton tournament in Madrid, where Carolina Marín hopes to be, who debuts this afternoon against the Czech Katerina Tomalova (at 7:40 p.m., through Badminton Europe TV). Beatriz Corrales, after beating the Serbian Marija Sudimac and Kike Peñalver, after doing the same against the Czech Jan Louda, they have been the first to light the flame of an enthusiastic Gallur Municipal Sports Center, who does not stop encouraging the national representatives and who, from the first games, is noted. It is not for less.

The player from Leganés, especially connected with the public, and the player from Toledo, well, open a phase of the competition in which Clara Azurmendi will not make an appearancewho fell yesterday, on the opening day, against Mariya Mitsova (21-13, 14-21 and 21-17), nor Pablo Abián, who, already in the second round, exempt from the first, touched the epic before the English Toby Penty (21-16, 11-21 and 21-18)but could not finish. The one from Catalayud, with the push of some stands that chanted over and over again “come on, Pablo”, forced the third round after a hesitant start. He let go and marked territory, with authority, to reach a third partial that turned from one side to the other until Penty’s final blow, which grew to turn around a promising 16-14.

An effort that fell by the wayside, but was reciprocated by an audience dedicated to Corrales, who was brilliant in his second round. In the first, with a lot of sweat, she beat the Israeli Ksenia Polikarpova (20-22, 21-17 and 21-17). A warning, an alert to shift gears. Sudimac, the victim of it. 21-9 and 21-8 in 21 minutes without rushing, in which he was always ahead except at the beginning of the second set. A mirage of possible Serbian rebellion. In eighths, you must continue to increase the level, The Danish Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt, seventh favorite for the title, is waiting. Peñalver, for his part, will meet one of the great stars of the tournament: the Danish Anders Antonsen, second head of the series.

In the doubles category, witness collected by Joan Monroy and Carlos Piris, very confident against the German couple formed by Marvin Datko and Patrick Scheiel, daring in their game, but also hasty. Convincing 21-10 and 21-8 in 31 minutes for the Spaniards, a wall in defense and timely when attacking near the net. In the round of 16, they will face the French Christo and Toma Junior Popov. The second of them, within the general increase in difficulty for the members of the Navy, is fourth in the list of favorites. He starts the good.