With their derby win over Badders, Greenwich made sure of winning the 2013 Team Championship, thus retaining the title which our club has won for the last 3 years. With this defeat Badders can only hope of finishing runners-up. They only need a point to make sure of making it a 1-2 placing for Birkirkara.

For this match Greenwich were without Stefan Salomone whereas Badders were still without the injured Maria Borg. A win for Greenwich meant the title, whereas a win for Badders meant they were still with a chance of forcing a decider for the title.

Greenwich started on a high note with Stephen Ferrante/Fiorella Sadowski winning their Mixed Doubles easily 21-9, 21-8 against Aldo Polidano/Klara O’Berg.

Badders reacted strongly for this early setback when Ivan Salomone met Samuel Cali in the Men’s Singles. Despite playing against the National Champion Ivan played one of his best matches this season and proved a hard nut to crack for Samuel. The first set was extremely balanced with the lead alternating, producing some fine rallies from both players. In the end it was won by Samuel 23-21. The second was as exciting and close as the first and, after some uncertainty, the end of the game found Samuel winner 21-17.

The Ladies Singles was a do-or-die for Badders whilst Greenwich were a point away from the title. After a balanced and close first set won 21-18 by Greenwich player Katerina Vella Ryabkova over Badders’ Marica Micallef, the former emerged easy winner in the second set (21-10) to clinch the Championship for her team.

With the win secured Greenwich won the remaining 2 games to make it a nap-hand victory. First Stephen Ferrante/Samuel Cali beat Arif Rochman/Albert Bezzina 21-14, 21-11 in the Men’s Doubles; then Fiorella Sadowski/Katerina Vella Ryabkova beat Marica Micallef/Klara O’Berg 21-14,21-12.

The committee of Birkirkara Badminton Club would like to congratulate Grrenwich for their Championship win.

Birkirkara Badders 0 – 5 Birkirkara Greenwich