Chambly Oise’s pursuit of a playoff berth in France’s Top 12 badminton league took a significant hit this weekend, falling 5-3 to Saint-Maur in a rematch of a November contest that ended with the same score. The defeat leaves Chambly facing an increasingly uphill battle to reach the semi-finals – a stage they haven’t missed since the 2010-2011 season.
The match, played Saturday, March 14th, was marred by an early injury to Kalle Koljonen, a Finnish international player, after losing the first set. This setback proved costly for Chambly, according to reports from Le Courrier Picard. The men’s doubles pairing of Eloi Adam and Estelle van Leeuwen also struggled early, falling behind before ultimately being overwhelmed.
Despite the challenging start, Chambly showed resilience throughout the match. Delphine Delrue, fresh off a finalist appearance at the All England Open with partner Thom Gicquel, secured a crucial point for Chambly alongside her brother, Florian. Emilie Drouin came close to leveling the score but ultimately faltered late in the second set while leading 18-13. Enogat Roy also pushed his opponent to a lengthy battle, earning three game points before Saint-Maur prevailed.
Kaloyana Nalbantova kept Chambly’s hopes alive for a draw, which would have been beneficial in the standings, by playing a tight first set and ultimately securing the win after a close second set. However, the momentum wouldn’t last.
Delphine Delrue continued her undefeated streak in the 2026 championship, winning comfortably with Estelle van Leeuwen. The decisive blow came in the men’s doubles, where Eloi Adam partnered with Fabien Delrue – a change from his usual pairing with Léo Rossi, who had competed in the quarter-finals of the Swiss Open (Super 300) the previous day. This loss sealed Chambly’s fate.
Chambly now sits third in the standings with 35 points, tied with Saint-Maur due to a defensive bonus point earned during the match. The team faces a critical test on March 28th against the league-leading, undefeated Fos-sur-Mer, featuring the Popov brothers. A win is now essential for Chambly to remain in contention for a semi-final spot.
Here’s a breakdown of the match results:
SAINT-MAUR – CHAMBLY: 5-3
Yanis Gaudin (Saint-Maur) def. Kalle Koljonen (Chambly): 21-18, ab.
Mady Sow (Saint-Maur) def. Enogat Roy (Chambly): 24-26, 21-8, 21-16
Kaloyana Nalbantova (Chambly) def. Anna Tatranova (Saint-Maur): 23-21, 21-18
Sophia Noble (Saint-Maur) def. Emilie Drouin (Chambly): 21-13, 23-21
Maël Cattoen/Yanis Gaudin (Saint-Maur) def. Eloi Adam/Fabien Delrue (Chambly): 21-16, 21-17
Delphine Delrue/Estelle van Leeuwen (Chambly) def. Iben Bergstein/Agathe Cuevas (Saint-Maur): 21-8, 21-14
Fabien Delrue/Delphine Delrue (Chambly) def. Lucas Corvée/Agathe Cuevas (Saint-Maur): 21-12, 21-10
Mael Cattoen/Iben Bergstein (Saint-Maur) def. Eloi Adam/Estelle van Leeuwen (Chambly): 21-18, 21-6
The injury to Kalle Koljonen proved particularly damaging for Chambly. The Finnish player, currently ranked 52nd in the world according to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) (as of February 3, 2026), has a history of success on the international stage, including a bronze medal at the 2014 European Men’s Team Championships. Koljonen’s highest individual ranking reached 47th in September 2025, demonstrating his potential impact when fully fit.
This loss underscores the razor-thin margins at the elite level of badminton. Matches often hinge on a handful of crucial rallies, demanding not only peak physical conditioning but also exceptional mental fortitude. For Chambly, the inability to capitalize on key moments proved decisive. The team will require to regroup quickly and prepare for their crucial upcoming match against Fos-sur-Mer if they hope to preserve their playoff aspirations alive.
The March 28th match against Fos-sur-Mer will be a true test of Chambly’s resilience. The Popov brothers represent a formidable challenge, and a victory will be essential to maintain any hope of reaching the semi-finals. Fans can follow updates on the league’s official website and through Chambly Oise’s social media channels.
