Cartagena, Spain – Badminton Huesca La Magia clinched their place in the Liga Top-10 Iberdrola with a stunning 3-4 victory over league leaders Puertas Padilla Cartagena on Saturday. The win, secured against a team previously undefeated in the competition, marks a significant achievement for the club in their inaugural season in the top flight.
The match, played at the Palacio de los Deportes in Cartagena, was a rollercoaster of momentum swings. Huesca La Magia, coached by Roberto Mollinedo, entered the contest knowing that securing at least two points would guarantee their safety in the league, regardless of the result of the concurrent match between Rinconada de Sevilla and Ibiza. As it turned out, they needed – and delivered – more than the minimum.
The early stages of the match didn’t favor the visitors. Puertas Padilla Cartagena swiftly took a 3-0 lead by dominating the doubles matches. Natxo Cervelló and Celia Ibáñez fell in three sets (11-8, 11-5, 11-5) in the mixed doubles. The women’s doubles pairing of Sonia Da Cunha and Tashvi Parab also lost in a closely contested match, going down 10-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9. The men’s doubles team of Alejandro Gállego and Gonzalo Isábal faced a particularly tough battle, ultimately losing in five sets (7-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5) to the strong Cartagena duo.
Facing a seemingly insurmountable deficit, Huesca La Magia mirrored their previous comeback against Ibiza, relying on their individual performances to turn the tide. Alejandro Gállego provided the first spark, overcoming Nadeem Dalvi in his singles match. After dropping the first set 11-6, Gállego secured victory when Dalvi was forced to retire with a 3-11 score in the second. This crucial win ignited hope for the Huesca team.
Tashvi Parab then delivered a pivotal performance, defeating Sara Peñalver in three sets (2-11, 7-11, 10-11). This victory not only narrowed the gap to 3-2 but also mathematically secured Badminton Huesca La Magia’s Liga Top-10 Iberdrola status. The team’s persistence and resilience were on full display.
Natxo Cervelló continued the momentum, winning his singles match in three sets (8-11, 10-11, 8-11), leveling the score at 3-3 and placing the outcome in the hands of Sonia Da Cunha. The Portuguese player rose to the occasion, battling through a five-set thriller against her opponent, ultimately prevailing 11-6, 10-11, 9-11, 11-7, 8-11 to seal the remarkable 4-3 victory for Huesca La Magia.
“We came with full motivation and the desire to enjoy playing in such a lovely and competitive league,” said coach Roberto Mollinedo after the match. “Our players are in very good shape, knowing that by doing what they need to do, they will stay in the Honor Division, which is difficult to achieve in our first year.”
Mollinedo emphasized the team’s “equilibrium” and “great attitude” as key factors in their success. “I’m very happy with that attitude and the progress we’re seeing, which has made us function as a team. When one player can’t, another steps up to take their place,” he explained. He also acknowledged the importance of maintaining their league position, stating, “It’s not easy to achieve what we have in our first year in the league. Few teams that get promoted manage to stay up.”
Looking ahead, Mollinedo expressed ambition for the future, stating, “Our objective cannot be anything other than to fight for the title, reach the semi-finals, and compete for the championship.” He highlighted the need for continued institutional support from the Diputación Provincial de Huesca (DPH), the Gobierno de Aragón (GA), and the Ayuntamiento (city council) to build a more competitive team and attract talented players.
Interestingly, a surprise result in the other Liga Top-10 Iberdrola match on Saturday also aided Huesca La Magia’s position. Rinconada de Sevilla secured their first win of the season, defeating Ibiza 4-3. This outcome further solidified Huesca La Magia’s standing in the league.
The victory in Cartagena represents a significant milestone for Badminton Huesca La Magia, demonstrating their ability to compete at the highest level of Spanish badminton. The team’s resilience, tactical flexibility, and unwavering spirit have earned them a well-deserved place in the Liga Top-10 Iberdrola for the upcoming season.
What’s Next: Badminton Huesca La Magia will now prepare for the playoff stage of the Liga Top-10 Iberdrola. Details regarding the playoff schedule and opponents will be announced by the league in the coming weeks. Fans can follow the team’s progress and receive updates on the official club website and social media channels.
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