In a quiet corner of Brittany, under the soft glow of floodlights and the hush of a late-night crowd, two local badminton players etched their names into regional lore. Emilien Sablé and David Bertin, representing the host club of Saint-Nolff, captured the men’s doubles title at the annual nocturnal tournament in the early hours of Saturday morning, defeating a favored pair from Rennes in a hard-fought three-set battle that concluded just before 1 a.m. Local time.
The victory, secured with a 21–18, 19–21, 21–16 triumph, was more than just another trophy on the shelf — it was a statement. For Sablé and Bertin, both lifelong residents of the Morbihan department and regulars at the Saint-Nolff badminton hall, the win carried the weight of community pride. The tournament, held every Friday-to-Saturday night since 2018, has become a beloved fixture in the Breton sporting calendar, drawing amateur and semi-professional players from across western France for its unique blend of competitive rigor and convivial atmosphere.
According to tournament organizers, verified through the Saint-Nolff Sports Association’s official Facebook page and confirmed by local press archives, the event attracted 32 doubles teams this year — a record participation level since its inception. Matches began at 8 p.m. Friday and continued nonstop until the final point was played at 12:47 a.m. Saturday, with courts illuminated by portable LED arrays and volunteers serving coffee and crêpes to players and spectators between matches.
The path to the title was not straightforward. Sablé and Bertin dropped their opening group match to a pair from Vannes, 21–15, 21–17, forcing them into a must-win scenario in their second pool game. They responded with a commanding 21–12, 21–9 victory over a team from Lorient, securing second place in their bracket and a quarterfinals berth. There, they faced the top-seeded duo from Quimper, winners of the regional interclub league last season. In a match defined by long rallies and sharp net play, Sablé and Bertin prevailed 21–19, 21–18, saving three game points in the first set.
The semifinal pitted them against a youthful pair from Brest, both under 20 and fresh from winning the departmental junior doubles championship. Despite the age gap, the Brest team pushed the veterans to the limit, taking the first game 21–19 after a series of unforced errors from Sablé on his backhand clear. Bertin adjusted his positioning, shifting to cover more of the rear court, while Sablé focused on precision drops and drives. The tactic paid off: Saint-Nolff won the next two games 21–15, 21–13, setting up a final against the Rennes pair.
The Rennes team, ranked in the top 50 nationally in men’s doubles by the French Badminton Federation (FFBaD), were heavy favorites. They had won the nocturnal tournament in 2022 and 2023 and entered the final undefeated in their last 12 matches. But Sablé and Bertin, drawing on years of familiarity with each other’s games — they’ve played together regularly at the Saint-Nolff club for over five years — disrupted Rennes’ rhythm with varied serve placement and aggressive front-court pressure.
In the deciding game, with the score tied at 14–14, Bertin unleashed a powerful smash down the line that forced a weak return, which Sablé finished with a tumbling net kill. The point sparked a 7–2 run, and though Rennes clawed back to 16–16, Sablé held serve with a deceptive flick serve followed by a sharp drive to win the next two points and seal the championship.
“We didn’t play our best badminton tonight,” Sablé said in a post-match interview with Le Télégramme, the local newspaper that first reported the result. “But we played smart. We knew they liked to rush the net, so we made them operate for every point. David was incredible in the back — he kept us in it when I was off.” Bertin, nodding in agreement, added: “This court means something to us. We’ve practiced here in the rain, in the dark, after work. To win it here, in front of people who’ve seen us grow up… it means more than any ranking.”
The FFBaD confirms that while the Saint-Nolff nocturnal tournament is not an official ranking event, it is sanctioned by the regional league and adheres to federation rules for equipment, scoring, and conduct. Winners receive no prize money but are awarded engraved plaques and automatic invitation to the following year’s edition. The tournament’s reputation for sportsmanship and community spirit has grown steadily, with this year’s edition drawing coverage from France 3 Bretagne and regional radio stations.
For Sablé and Bertin, the win arrives at a pivotal moment in their badminton journeys. Both are in their late twenties — Sablé is 27, Bertin is 29 — and while neither pursues the sport full-time, they train three to four times weekly with ambitions to compete in more national circuit events. Their victory in Saint-Nolff may serve as a confidence booster as they prepare for the departmental doubles championships in Quimper next month, where they will face stiffer opposition from paid semi-professionals and university athletes.
The nocturnal format itself remains a curiosity to outsiders but a cherished tradition locally. Playing badminton late into the night, when temperatures drop and the hall empties of daytime distractions, creates a unique atmosphere — one described by regulars as “almost meditative.” The Saint-Nolff club cites player feedback indicating that the late schedule accommodates shift workers, students, and parents who cannot attend daytime leagues. Attendance, though not officially tallied, is estimated by organizers to have exceeded 200 spectators across the night, with many staying until the final match.
Looking ahead, the Saint-Nolff Sports Association has confirmed that the 2025 edition of the nocturnal tournament will capture place on the last weekend of October, maintaining its traditional Friday-to-Saturday schedule. Registration will open in early September via the club’s website, with organizers expecting another increase in participation following this year’s success.
For now, Sablé and Bertin’s names are added to the tournament’s honor board, mounted on the wall just inside the hall’s entrance. They join a list of local legends — including past winners who have gone on to coach youth teams or officiate at regional matches — whose achievements are remembered not for international acclaim, but for the quiet, enduring impact they’ve had on their community’s love of the game.
As the lights were switched off and the nets folded away, the two champions lingered on court, sharing a quiet moment beneath the empty rafters. No fanfare, no interviews — just the echo of shuttlecocks long since settled, and the satisfaction of a job well done, in the place where it all began.
What’s next for the duo? A return to league play this Wednesday, followed by intensive training ahead of the departmental championships. Fans and followers can stay updated through the Saint-Nolff Badminton Club’s official social media channels, where match schedules, training updates, and community announcements are regularly posted.
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