From September 19 through September 27, Cagliari is hosting the European Senior Badminton Championships at the Monte Mixi facilities, drawing 1,600 athletes from over 30 European countries. The international tournament features competition across men’s and women’s singles as well as men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles, divided into ten age-group categories ranging from 35 to 80 years old.
The continental event brings approximately 2,200 total attendances to the Sardinian capital, including visiting players, coaching staff, and companions. Admission to the Monte Mixi venue is free for the general public, putting senior-level international competition on display.
Sardinian Competitors and Notable International Entries
Sardinia is represented on the home court by local players Francesco Feliziani, Simone Murru, Marino Murgia, and Rosario Maddaloni. Maddaloni boasts 17 national titles in his career. Another prominent Italian competitor in the field is Giovanni Greco, who has secured 12 national titles.
The overseas entry list features several competitors with extensive international backgrounds, including those who have competed at the Olympic Games and World Championships. Among them are Swedish players Mattias Wigardt and Gabriel Ulldahl alongside Germany’s Claudia Vogelgsang.
Maddaloni Secures Bronze Before Injury Withdrawal
Rosario Maddaloni advanced to the semifinals of the men’s over-35 singles after defeating France’s Tang 21-11, 21-13 in the quarterfinals, securing a bronze medal for the host nation. However, an injury sustained during that quarterfinal match proved more severe than initially evaluated.
The multi-time Italian champion withdrew from his scheduled semifinal match against Germany’s Paulsen, sending the German competitor directly to the final without a contest. Despite the premature end to his tournament run, Maddaloni reflected positively on the experience.
“In my career, I’ve won 17 Italian titles and participated in over 200 international tournaments, but playing a European Championship at home has a different feel,” Maddaloni said. “It was priceless and incredibly exciting to play in front of my wife, daughter, teammates, friends, and an extraordinary crowd. When Francesco Feliziani told me that Cagliari would host the European Championship, I had to prepare myself to achieve my goal of a medal, and experiencing it was fabulous, because I got a bronze medal—what a dream.”
Student Engagement and Local Facilities
Alongside the competitive brackets, organizers established a student village supported by the Ministry of Sport. Francesco Feliziani, who serves as a player, organizing committee member, federal councilor, and director of the Regional Education Office, noted that the initiative has engaged more than 2,000 Sardinian students from elementary through high school.
“Alongside the European Championships, a student village was established, organized with the support of the Ministry of Sport, which has allowed us to involve more than 2,000 Sardinian students, from elementary to high school, who, in addition to attending the matches, can enjoy a multi-sport experience, trying their hand at various disciplines,” Feliziani stated.
The organizing body also integrated high school students through School-Work Training projects. Students took on roles ranging from line judges and hospitality staff to digital content creation and event volunteering. Visiting athletes have also taken advantage of the local setting, spending evenings along Cagliari’s Poetto beach.
Regional Support and Municipal Infrastructure
Regional and municipal officials visited the Monte Mixi venue to review operations, including Franco Cuccureddu, regional councilor for Tourism, Crafts and Commerce, alongside Marzia Cilloccu, vice president of the Cagliari City Council and commissioner of the Tourism and Culture Commission.
“This is an extremely important event, and the Sardinia Region has fully committed to it,” Councilor Cuccureddu said. “The Regional Department of Tourism, precisely because so many athletes and technical staff are involved—we’re talking over 2,000 people from all over Europe—wanted to fund it through the call for proposals for major sporting events.”
Cilloccu pointed to municipal investments in sports infrastructure upgrades, such as facility maintenance, arena renovations, and gym and skate park updates, which helped prepare the city to host the continental championships.
“Cagliari confirms its position as a hub for truly important sporting events: having 1,600 athletes and 2,200 attendees from all over Europe is truly a great achievement,” Cilloccu said. “The attention paid to the sports facilities, the maintenance, the renovation of the arenas, gyms, and skate park have made the sports village a reality, and the city was seen at the best.”
The European Senior Badminton Championships conclude on Sunday, September 27, with the remaining finals across the age categories at the Monte Mixi facilities.
