LIST: Here are the stars of each top team (Men)
With just weeks left until the European Padel Championship 2024, the excitement is building. In this list, Padel Alto highlights the most important players for each top team, players who can play a critical role in their team's performances. With experience and tactical insights, these players are incredibly valuable for their teams. We cover the top five countries according to the FIP rankings and have also chosen to include Portugal.
Spain: Momo Gonzalez
There are many candidates who could be considered the biggest star in Spain's squad, but we have chosen to highlight Momo Gonzalez. He has made the most significant impact on the world tour in recent years and will play an important role in the upcoming championship. Although he has not yet won a major WPT tournament, he has two Challenger titles and several final appearances. He finished his time on the WPT ranked number 9 and is currently ranked 12th on the FIP ranking.
Gonzalez has been a key player in Spain's championship team, including their 2021 World Championship victory. This year's Spanish squad is full of rising stars and talents, making Gonzalez's experience valuable both tactically and in play. It will be very exciting to see the Spanish pairings in the championship. One option is to continue his successful partnership with Alex Ruiz, but there is also the possibility of pairing him with other players. Last fall, Gonzalez experimented with playing on the forehand side, a tactical adjustment that could be significant for the team's success.
Italy: Facundo Dominguez
In the Italian squad, it comes down to Facundo Dominguez and Aris Patiniotis, two players who have really made their mark in the padel world this year, including an impressive victory over Bela and Capra. We have chosen to highlight Facundo Dominguez, who is six years younger than his teammate and has shown great potential.
This championship is special for Dominguez and the entire Italian squad, as it is played on home soil. In the last championship, they made it all the way to the final after a victory over Sweden. It will require a significant performance to repeat that success. To beat the other major nations, players like Facundo Dominguez must perform at their best. It is likely that he will form the country's top team, which means he will face some of the other players on this list. It will be exciting to see how far the Italian team can go in this championship, especially in the competition behind Spain. Facundo Dominguez is definitely a player to keep an eye on during the tournament.
Sweden: Daniel Windahl
In the Swedish squad, the choice on the men's side is relatively easy. Daniel Windahl is the player who has made the most progress on the world tour this season. His experience from the biggest stages will be very valuable for the entire Swedish squad. During the spring, Windahl has had a very strong season. He has reached two round of 16s in Premier Padel and showcased his high level to the entire padel world.
It is clear that he will lead the Swedish squad, and his performances will be crucial for Sweden's results. Now it remains to be seen who will play alongside him. Regardless of who it is, that team will be a tough challenge for the other nations.
France: Thomas Leygue
There are several players in the French team who could take on the role of the team's star. We have chosen to highlight 22-year-old Thomas Leygue, who is the highest-ranked French player on the FIP ranking. This year, he has qualified for two Premier Padel tournaments. Given his young age, it will be exciting to see if he can take the next step in his career in the coming year and qualify for more Premier Padel tournaments.
France won the bronze medal in the last championship, and they face a tough challenge to repeat that success. Just like the other players on this list, it will be crucial for these stars to perform at their absolute highest level.
Belgium: Clement Geens
Belgian national team star Clement Geens has made great progress on the international padel scene in recent years. This year, he has qualified for several main tournaments in Premier Padel and is now aiming for his first round of 16. For Belgium to perform well in the championship, it is crucial that Geens is at his best.
Since most of the Belgian team lacks experience from the biggest stages, Geens will be able to provide valuable tactical insights. With a favorable draw, Belgium has a good chance of advancing from the group stage, and Geens's role will be significant for the team's success.
Portugal: Antonio Luque
Antonio, born in Jaén, Spain, has lived in Portugal for many years now. He is the highest-ranked player in the Portuguese team and is used to playing in the main rounds of Premier Padel. His experience of competing against some of the best players will be important for the team. Like all the other players on this list, Antonio's performances will be crucial for the team to go far. Portugal faces a challenge as they are not seeded and will be drawn into the last group, which means they could end up in a tough group.
Despite this, Portugal is still one of the strongest teams when looking at the players. It would be surprising if they did not advance from the group stage. Antonio Luque will play a key role in the team's potential success.
