Mulhouse, France – The Red Star Mulhouse badminton team finds itself in a crucial position as it pushes for a coveted spot in the Final Four of the French Top 12 league. Following two consecutive victories, the team is firmly back in contention, though they face a challenging road ahead, particularly relying on the outcome of a match involving rivals ASPTT Strasbourg.
Currently, Strasbourg remains the dominant force in the league, seemingly untouchable at the top of the standings. However, the battle for the remaining Final Four places is intensely competitive, with Aire-sur-la-Lys, Rostrenen, and Mulhouse all vying for position. A favorable scenario exists where Mulhouse could leapfrog into second place by the end of this penultimate matchday.
Before hoping for a result from league leaders Strasbourg against Aire-sur-la-Lys, François Schmitt-Baagoe’s squad must focus on their own task: securing a win against Rostrenen on their home court. This match will be particularly challenging as the team will be without Arnaud Merklé, who is being rested in preparation for the European Championships in Spain, scheduled for April 6-12. The team will field Arlin alongside a player from the reserve squad in the men’s singles, even as Nurhidayah, Lasis, Lambert, and Pognante will compete in the women’s events.
Facing a Tough Test in Brittany
Rostrenen is expected to present a formidable challenge. Schmitt-Baagoe anticipates a full-strength Rostrenen lineup, 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 notably the American Beiwen Zhang and the Irishman Nhat Nguyen who are very strong,” Schmitt-Baagoe said. Mulhouse narrowly lost the first encounter against Rostrenen in November (3-5), a result that seemingly surprised their opponents. “They were surprised to have beaten us that day. I remember seeing them taking pictures next to the score,” Schmitt-Baagoe recalled.
However, Mulhouse enters the match with confidence, boosted by a strong performance at the Orleans Masters the previous week. Margot Lambert and Camille Pognante, both performing at 100% in the Top 12 season, will be key players. “The pressure is more on Rostrenen. 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,” Lambert stated, referencing the April 11th match.
ASPTT Strasbourg’s Role in the Playoff Picture
The ASPTT Strasbourg team will play a significant role in determining the final standings, as they face Aire-sur-la-Lys, their closest challenger, this Saturday at the Herrade gymnasium. Julien Fuchs, the coach of ASPTT, expects a strong showing from their opponents. “They will surely reach with their best team because, as they finish against Bordeaux, they will secure the playoffs by winning here,” Fuchs noted. The Strasbourg team will be without Gardon and the Stoeva sisters, but will likely feature Lanier, Pancasari, Hemming, and Vorobeva.
With little at stake for the “Postiers” (the Strasbourg team’s nickname), they are expected to aim for at least a draw. The focus of the top teams is already shifting towards the Final Four, scheduled for May 8th and 9th in Levallois-Perret. In the other pool, Fos-sur-Mer, led by the Popov brothers, remains undefeated, but their upcoming match against Chambly could shake up the standings. Saint-Maur is currently the likely semifinal opponent for ASPTT Strasbourg.
The stakes are high for Red Star Mulhouse as they navigate this critical stage of the season. A win against Rostrenen is essential not only for their own playoff aspirations but similarly for potentially setting up a decisive showdown against Strasbourg on home turf. The team’s performance in the coming weeks will determine whether they can secure a place among the league’s elite.
Other National Interclub Results: N1: Maromme – Kembs (4:30 PM). N2: ASPTTS II – Schwindratzheim (11:30 AM), Besançon – Trois Frontières (4:00 PM). N3: Besançon II – Colmar (12:30 PM), Étupes – R. Star Mulhouse II (3:00 PM), ASPTTS III – Dommarteront (11:30 AM), Reiningue – Trois Frontières II (4:00 PM).
Next up for Red Star Mulhouse is their match against Rostrenen. Fans can follow updates on the team’s official social media channels for the latest news and results. The April 11th home match against Strasbourg promises to be a thrilling encounter with significant playoff implications.
