Juniors Teams Preview | Racketlon World Championships 2022

The FIR Racketlon World Championships are just a few days away and so begins our preview of the tournament with the Juniors Teams categories.

For the first time in Racketlon history, we have four separate categories, with the Juniors U18 Teams title up for grabs. The U18 age group joins the already established U21, U16 and U13 events.

There is also a Juniors U12 Teams category taking part for the first time. This will not be for an official world title as it uses the Racketlon Youth Concept rather than official racket rules. However, it is a fantastic starting point for budding racketlon stars and we’re always delighted to open up the sport to younger kids around the world.

Juniors U21 Teams

Edition: 9th

2019 Champion: Finland (Laiho, Pennanen, Penttinen, Wall)

Most Titles: Austria (6)

The first Juniors Teams category that we’re going to preview is Juniors U21. Finland won this title at the last tournament in 2019. However, with all four of its players no longer eligible, there will be a different name on the trophy.

One certainty is that there will be two British teams on the podium. That’s because three of the four teams registered in the box league are from Great Britain. The fourth is Austria, which will be battling to prevent an all-British podium.

Matthew Davidson and Luke Griffiths won the Juniors U16 Teams title three years ago. Now, they’re teaming up with Cherisse Lau to make up Great Britain’s 1st team. Based on ranking, the trio are the top seeds in the draw.

Great Britain II is made up of David Bennett, Ross Wilson and current Juniors Mixed Doubles, Girls Singles and Doubles World No.1 Alexandra Ogram. Three World Championship debutants are in action for Great Britain III in the form of Ryan Bezer, Jamie Watkin-Rees and Bethany Pye.

Looking to break up the British party is a stacked Austria team headlined by Florian Harca. Last year’s Romanian Open Men’s Singles champion is joined by Benjamin Radl, Leon Sam, Marwin Steiner-Pöschl. The team’s two female players are Clarissa Steiner and Paulina Steiner, who were joint number one in the Girls Doubles rankings for most of this year.

Juniors U18 Teams

Edition: 1st

As racketlon continues to grow around the world, so does the number of age categories available for players to enter. Therefore, we’re delighted to see three teams enter the Juniors U18 Teams as it makes its World Championship debut.

Germany, Great Britain and Austria are the three Nations battling for the gold, with the teams needing two boys and one girl to compete.

After winning a handful of Men’s B and Men’s C singles titles in 2021, Bastian Böhm is representing Germany in this category. He’s joined by Alina Reissenauer and Cornelius Ried.

Cameron Leighton had his first taste of World Championship action three years ago in Leipzig. The youngster returns alongside World Championship debutants Anant Gupta and Holly Ranson to complete the British contingent.

As with the U21 team, Austria is bringing a squad boasting plenty of depth. As well as playing in the U21 team, Radl, Sam and Steiner-Pöschl are also competing in the U18s. Paulina Steiner joins them from the U21 team, as does Christoph Steiner.

Juniors U16 Teams

Edition: 5th

2019 Champion: Great Britain (Davidson, Griffiths)

Most Titles: Great Britain (4)

Historically, the Juniors U16 Teams category has been dominated by Great Britain. The nation has won all four World Championship titles in the past – as well as both European Championships as well. That British success has, over the years, been spearheaded by the Griffiths brothers. With both no longer eligible to compete, the draw has never been more open.

Great Britain is still sending two teams to Austria. The first is made up of Chase Burgess and Ollie Barton, who reached the final of the Men’s C Doubles in London last month. They receive a bye through to the quarter-finals as the No.4 seeds. Debutants Raif Fontanelli and Samuel Rank make up the British second team.

Austria and Czech Republic have also brought multiple teams to this Juniors Teams draw. In fact, Austria has four teams, making up one third of the 12 team draw.

Current Boys U13 Doubles champions Jakob Rosenberger and Sebastian Janser make up Austria’s first team. However, due to ranking, they are only the No.2 seeds. The top seeds in the draw are Austria II, which is made up of Leo Hörtinger, Leonhard Prager and Leon Steiner. Both pairs receive a bye through to the quarter-finals.

Austria III and Austria VI will both begin against Czech opposition. Mathias Schilling and Valentin Zimmermann (Austria III) will open against the Czech’s first team. Meanwhile, Austria VI, consisting of Markus Perschinka, Tobias Wendler and Romy Nothegger, faces Czech Republic III.

Despite bringing eight players and three teams, none of the Czech teams are seeded. Lukáš Dvořák and Matěj Volf complete the first team. Filip Gnida, Šimon Kniezek and Martin Voplakal complete the second team. Czech Republic III consists of Max Sedlacek, Vilém Stránik and Mikuláš Zobač.

There’s a bit of history in Czech Republic II’s first match. That’s because they’re playing in a landmark match against India. For the first time in Racketlon history, we have an Indian team competing in the Juniors Teams World Championships. Aadith K A, Aadirai K A and Dhritih Kandpal are the three players making history as India enjoys this fantastic moment.

France and Switzerland are the other two teams involved in this 12-pair draw. With regular players Andreas Kotala and Lucas Mateo Moreno, it is no surprise that Switzerland is seeded No.3 in the draw. French pair Lucas Steyer and Noa Worobel will open their tournament against GB II.

Juniors U13 Teams

Edition: 3rd

2019 Champion: France (Steyer, Diet)

Most Titles: Great Britain/France (1)

The Juniors U13 Teams category returns and we’re delighted to have five teams from four different countries taking part. Germany, Great Britain, Czech Republic and Austria are the four nations fielding a team, with Austria also adding a second team into the mix. 2019 champion, France, is not sending a team this year.

Germany’s team carries some force in the form of current World Champions Lena Schaedler and Ylvie Zahn, alongside Henri Zahn. Great Britain has the familiar face of Daniel Austin pairing up with newcomer Charlie Hill. Michal Fojtík and Damian Roman are the players competing for the Czech Republic.

A theme throughout the Juniors categories is Austria bringing depth. The first team is made up of Leon Borchert, Mattia Reich, Robin Sam and Romeo Sam. Meanwhile, the second team is Fynn Borchert, Christoph Wagner, Henri Widu and Nina Grüner.

The five teams will all play against each other in a five-pair box league, meaning that the winning team will have to beat all the others for gold. Great Britain could become the all-time leader with two titles if it wins. If Germany wins, then it will add a first World Title to the European Title it won in 2017. However, if Austria or Czech Republic take gold then it will be for the first time in this category.

Juniors U12 Teams

A brand new category, it is fantastic to see five teams heading to Austria to compete for the Juniors U12 Teams title. Due to this event using the Racketlon Youth Concept rather than official racketlon rules, it will not be for an official world title. However, we’re delighted to have opened up this age group to allow even younger players to get involved in the sport.

Germany and Austria are the two nations to have entered teams, with Austria boasting two and Germany bringing an incredible three teams – the future looks bright in Germany!

Lara Altmann, Elizaveta Eliseeva and Yorsalem Luul make up the Germany I team, with Nina Altmann and Charlotte Böll pairing up for Germany II. Anthony Müller and Robin Sach are the final two competing together as part of Germany III.

There’s also a Robin competing for Austria. Robin Sam is playing alongside Mattia Reich and Christoph Wagner for Austria I while Flynn Borchert, Leon Borchert, Romeo Sam and Henri Widu make up Austria II.

Good luck to all of the youngsters as they begin their racketon World Championship journey.