Mulhouse on Mission, Strasbourg the Arbiter in French Badminton Top 12 Race
Levallois-Perret – The battle for a place in the Top 12 badminton Final Four is heating up in France, with the Red Star Mulhouse making a late surge and relying, somewhat surprisingly, on rivals ASPTT Strasbourg to influence their fate. After consecutive victories, Mulhouse finds itself firmly back in contention, though Strasbourg remains the dominant force, seemingly untouchable at the top of the standings.
The stakes are particularly high this weekend as Mulhouse travels to Brittany to face Rostrenen, a crucial match that could define their season. A win for Mulhouse, coupled with a favorable result in Strasbourg’s match against Aire-sur-la-Lys, could see the 2025 French champions leapfrog into second place. This represents a significant turnaround for a team that was recently positioned outside the playoff spots.
A Crucial Test in Brittany
Mulhouse will be without captain Arnaud Merklé for the trip to Rostrenen, as he’s being rested ahead of the European Championships in Spain (April 6-12). Despite his absence, coach François Schmitt-Baagoe is confident in the team’s ability to perform. The lineup will feature Arlin and a player from the reserve team in the men’s singles, while Nurhidayah, Lasis, Lambert, and Pognante will compete in the women’s events.
Schmitt-Baagoe acknowledges the challenge posed by Rostrenen, particularly with a potentially full-strength squad including American Beiwen Zhang (ranked 28th in the world) and Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen (ranked 29th). “There’s a good chance Rostrenen will be at full strength, with Beiwen Zhang and Nhat Nguyen, who are very strong,” Schmitt-Baagoe said. He recalls the close contest in the first meeting between the two teams in November, which Rostrenen won 5-3, noting that the Bretons were “surprised” by Mulhouse’s performance.
Margot Lambert and Camille Pognante, recent quarter-finalists at the Orleans Masters, are expected to be key contributors for Mulhouse. Lambert, in particular, has maintained a perfect record in the Top 12 this season. “The pressure is more on Rostrenen,” Pognante stated. “We’re coming from behind and are still lower in the standings. The goal is to win there to grant ourselves a match point at home against Strasbourg on April 11th.”
Strasbourg’s Role as Kingmaker
While Mulhouse focuses on its match in Brittany, the team is also keenly aware of the importance of Strasbourg’s fixture against Aire-sur-la-Lys. Strasbourg, already assured of a place in the Final Four as the league leaders, will be looking to maintain their undefeated record. However, their match also carries significant weight for Mulhouse’s playoff aspirations.
Julien Fuchs, the coach of ASPTT Strasbourg, anticipates a strong challenge from Aire-sur-la-Lys, who will be eager to secure their own playoff berth. “They will surely come with their best team given that, as they finish against Bordeaux, they will ensure the playoffs by winning here,” Fuchs explained. Strasbourg will be without Gardon and the Stoeva sisters, but is expected to field Lanier, Pancasari, Hemming, and Vorobeva.
Fuchs indicated that his team, having already secured their place in the Final Four, may be aiming for a draw. “They’re looking for at least a draw,” he said. The focus for Strasbourg is already shifting towards the Final Four, scheduled for May 8th and 9th in Levallois-Perret.
The Wider Picture: Fos-sur-Mer and the Playoff Landscape
Beyond the Mulhouse-Rostrenen and Strasbourg-Aire-sur-la-Lys matches, another key contest will seize place in the other pool, where the undefeated Fos-sur-Mer, featuring the Popov brothers, travels to Chambly. A potential upset in that match could shake up the standings and create further opportunities for teams vying for a Final Four spot. Saint-Maur is currently positioned as Strasbourg’s likely opponent in the semi-finals.
National Interclub Competitions
Elsewhere in French badminton, several national interclub competitions are taking place. N1 sees Maromme facing Kembs (4:30 PM CET). In N2, ASPTTS II plays Schwindratzheim (11:30 AM CET), while Besançon takes on Trois Frontières (4:00 PM CET). N3 features matches between Besançon II and Colmar (12:30 PM CET), Étupes and R. Star Mulhouse II (3:00 PM CET), ASPTTS III and Dommarteront (11:30 AM CET), and Reiningue and Trois Frontières II (4:00 PM CET).
The next few days will be pivotal in determining the final lineup for the Top 12 Final Four. Mulhouse’s journey is far from over, and their success hinges not only on their own performance but also on the outcome of matches involving their rivals. The badminton community in France will be watching closely as the competition intensifies.
Next Up: The Red Star Mulhouse will learn their fate following the weekend’s matches, with the results significantly impacting their chances of reaching the Final Four. The ASPTT Strasbourg will also be in action against Aire-sur-la-Lys, a match that could have broader implications for the playoff picture.
