Guingamp Badminton’s quest for promotion to the Regional 3 (R3) league remains uncertain after a mixed performance in the Departmental 1 classification day on Sunday, March 15, 2026. While the team demonstrated strong form throughout the regular season, finishing atop their group, their hopes now rest on decisions made by league officials in June.
The team, led by captain Romain Ethève, needed a victory against AL Badminton Club Briochin in their opening match to secure immediate promotion. However, they fell short, losing six of the eight matches played. “It’s a remarkably quality team that was better than us,” Ethève conceded, adding that the team may have felt undue pressure. Le Télégramme reported on the team’s disappointment following the match.
A Second Chance Emerges
Despite the setback against Briochin, Guingamp Badminton still has a pathway to R3, thanks to a subsequent win against Trégor Badminton in the match for third place. The situation is complicated by the fact that Saint-Brieuc already has a team competing in R3, meaning they are ineligible for promotion. This opens a potential opportunity for Guingamp.
“Saint-Brieuc already has a team in R3 and therefore cannot be promoted,” Ethève explained. “So, it could potentially be us. But we are not sure, and we will find out in June.” The final decision rests with the league authorities, who will determine whether Guingamp Badminton will be granted promotion. Le Télégramme first reported on this possibility in late January.
This would mark a historic moment for Guingamp Badminton, representing the first time the club has reached the Regional 3 level. The team finished the regular season with nine wins and one draw, ten points ahead of their nearest competitor, demonstrating their dominance in Departmental 1. Archysport’s earlier coverage highlighted the team’s impressive performance throughout the season.
Key Players and Team Dynamics
Romain Ethève captains a squad that includes Geoffrey Lirzin, Samuel Nevot, Julie Corbin, Mélodie Moullière, and Claire Le Maillier-Divaret. Ethève, in his third season with the club, emphasized the team’s ability to play without excessive pressure as a key factor in their success. “It would be a big victory to move up, it would be a first for the club to be in the Regional,” he said. “It wasn’t really a goal, but we quickly found ourselves in the lead. And by playing without too much pressure, we managed to maintain our level.”
The team’s success is a testament to their dedication and teamwork. Badminton, while perhaps not receiving the same mainstream attention as some other sports, demands a high level of athleticism, strategy, and precision. For those unfamiliar with the sport, it involves two (singles) or four (doubles) players using rackets to hit a shuttlecock over a net. Points are scored when the shuttlecock lands within the opponent’s half of the court, and matches are typically best-of-three games.
What’s Next for Guingamp Badminton?
The coming months will be crucial for Guingamp Badminton as they await the league’s decision regarding their promotion. The team will undoubtedly continue training and preparing for the possibility of competing in R3 next season. The final decision is expected in June, leaving fans and players alike in a state of anticipation.
The outcome will not only impact the club’s competitive standing but as well potentially inspire greater participation in badminton within the Guingamp community. A successful promotion could attract new players and increase the visibility of the sport in the region.
Archysport will continue to follow the story of Guingamp Badminton and provide updates as they become available. Stay tuned for further developments on their pursuit of a historic promotion to R3.
