ASPTT Strasbourg, a strong contender in the Top 12 badminton league, is already facing an uphill battle after dropping crucial points in their opening match. A 4-4 draw against Côtes-d’Armor on September 27th, a result described as “disappointing” by team captain Julien Fuchs, has put them behind the eight ball early in the season.
Fuchs acknowledged that even without their star player, Alex Lanier (ranked 7th in the world), who experienced a minor discomfort, the team should have secured a victory. He pointed to underperformances in the second women’s singles and second mixed doubles matches as key areas where points were unexpectedly lost.
Strasbourg Navigates a Challenging Week
This Saturday, ASPTT Strasbourg faces immediate pressure to rebound. Though, the team’s lineup remains uncertain due to international commitments. Currently, only Rosy Pancasari, Natan Begga, Clément Massias, and Viktoriia Vorobeva are confirmed for the upcoming match. The availability of other key players hinges on their performance in ongoing international tournaments in Denmark and the Czech Republic, with their participation in the match against Aix-en-Provence dependent on early eliminations.
“This is arguably one of the most demanding weeks of the season in terms of scheduling,” Fuchs admitted. the captain anticipates that Alex Lanier will likely be absent as he is expected to advance deep into the Denmark Open. “While we won’t have our full typical squad, our reserve players are also of a very high caliber,” he added, expressing confidence in the depth of the team.
Their opponents, Aix-en-Provence, who reached the playoffs last May, also experienced an opening-day setback, losing to Le Volant Airois despite winning both their singles matches.The participation of Aix’s top player, Turkey’s Ozge Bayrak (ranked 78th globally), is also in question.
“Playing at home will be a notable advantage for us,” Fuchs believes. “When you’re not at your absolute best, the home crowd can provide that extra push to keep you fighting.”
Mulhouse Faces a Tough Road Test
Meanwhile, Red Star Mulhouse is preparing for their first away match of the season. Three weeks after a dominant 7-1 victory over Union Saint-Bruno Bordeaux, the team, which has maintained an undefeated home record for over 18 months, will be tested on the road in Aire-sur-la-Lys. Mulhouse, French champions in 2025, will be looking to prove their mettle away from home, especially after the departure of Thom Gicquel over the summer, who returned to the Breton club.
Aire-sur-la-Lys, led by Belgium’s Julien Caraggi (a top 10 European player at the end of 2024), has shown promise, winning both their mixed doubles matches in their opening fixture against Aix. The team from Pas-de-Calais is frequently mentioned as a potential playoff contender.
On the Mulhouse side, Arnaud merklé, fresh off his victory at the Dutch Open and having defeated a 13th-ranked player in Finland, expressed optimism. However, the final composition of the Red star Mulhouse team remains to be seen, adding an element of uncertainty to their upcoming challenge.
