In just a few days, it will be time: the Pickleball Federation Austria is sending Austria’s first official national team to the first Team European Championships, which will take place on November 23-24, 2024, in Southampton. The selection squad was formed in February, and after an extensive qualification process, Austria’s first national team was finalized in September, ready to represent the country with pride. In addition, the PFA board will also travel to the event to network and make contacts in the Pickleball world.
You may follow the live stream of the event via YouTube – Link
Nominees for Austria in the 18+ Category:
- Ashley Simpson, Sigrid Preissler, Jasmin Primus
- Stephen Preissler, Stefan Grubmüller, Thomas Knapp
Nominees for Austria in the 50+ Category:
- Liz Weare, Sandra Pribil, Jessie Dai
- Helmut Hübsch, Yang Dai
Profiles of the Austrian athletes can be found in the tournament magazine: link.
How the European Championships Will Be Played
The competition will include Women’s Doubles, Men’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, as well as Women’s Doubles 50+, Men’s Doubles 50+, and Mixed Doubles 50+. The doubles teams will be determined on the respective match day. The Mixed Doubles events will take place on Saturday, November 23, 2024, while all Men’s and Women’s Doubles events will be held on Sunday, November 24. The format for all events is the same: teams must first pass through the group stage – the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout phase. In Group A, Austria will face title favorite England, as well as Italy, Serbia, the Czech Republic, and Bulgaria. The European titles in the various categories will be contested, and there will also be an overall team ranking. Teams earn points for podium finishes: three points for gold, two for silver, and one for bronze. The team with the most points will be crowned Team European Champion. Link to Tournament Website
Ahead of the European Championships, a preparatory tournament will be held where many national team players will compete to gear up for the season highlight. Link to Tournament Website.
Final Training at UTC LaVille
On Sunday, November 17, a joint final training session took place at the Union Tennis Center LaVille in Vienna. All nine national team players residing in Austria took the opportunity to train together for the event. The U.S.-based players, Sigrid and Stephen Preissler, will join the team on Wednesday. Special thanks go to the Tennis Center La Ville for providing the tennis hard court for this training and ensuring optimal training conditions. The PFA also extends its gratitude to the sparring partners who supported the team.
Austria Is Ready!
The Pickleball Federation Austria is proud of the intensive preparations and is grateful for your support. Austria’s team is ready to give its all in Southampton and represent the country at the European level. Together for Austria – we’re counting on your support!
