"It shows how far Britain has come in padel" - Brits reflect on FIP Euro Padel Cup success
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One half of GB women's heroic match-winning duo in Madrid says achieving qualification for the FIP Euro Padel Cup Final 8 "shows how far GB padel has come in Britain."
Lisa Phillips and partner Catherine Rose kept their composure in a nervy, noisy finale to GB's decisive final group match against Sweden on Sunday morning, beating Hanna Borjeson and Lisa Andersson 6-2, 7-6 at the G24 Padel arena in the Spanish capital.
That sealed a 2-1 team victory that saw GB finish top of Group A in Phase 2 of the Euro Padel Cup competition, earning them a place at the top table of European padel with big guns Spain, Italy, France and Portugal and fellow Phase 2 qualifiers Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. The climatic Final 8 takes place in the autumn but a precise date and venue has not yet been announced.
"I think this weekend shows how far GB padel has come from a few years ago to now," said a joyous Phillips after the British celebrations had finally subsided. "The future's definitely bright for padel in the UK."
GB women's two debutantes included 15-year-old Rosie Quirk, who made a victorious start to her international career with a win over Austria alongside veteran Abigail Tordoff.
"To have new players coming through like Rosie who's only 15 is so exciting," said Phillips. "We've proved we deserve to be in the top eight. Playing competitions in the manner we've done here shows our level is there. It spurs us all on to get even better."
By the time Phillips and Rose's defining final tie had got under way, GB's men had already wrapped up victory over Monaco to make it a clean sweep in Group C and seal qualification for the Final 8. So they decamped behind the back glass to help drown out the Swedish supporters and make it a raucous finale to the weekend.
"The atmosphere was absolutely electric," said GB No.4 Phillips. "The Swedes had such big support so before the match we said, 'We need everyone behind us making loads of noise,' That type of thing makes a big difference when the match is tight."
British No.1 Aimee Gibson, who together with partner Tia Norton dropped just four games over the weekend's three matches, said the women's team spirit had been "crazy good."
"We're all getting on so well off court and cheering each other on," said the world no.93. "It's a totally different level this year.
"This is testament to all the hard work everyone has been putting in. I'm doing my thing in England, Tia is training hard in the Netherlands and Catherine and Lisa have been competing so much on the road. We've all really knuckled down since last year."
GB's women were unified in their praise of Agustin Silingo, a new addition to the GB women's coaching team. A former world champion as a player, the Argentine transitioned into coaching last year and has worked with the iconic Juan Lebron, so brings serious pedigree to the GB bench.
"Big shout out to Silingo because his tactics were spot-on and it makes such a big difference in these matches," said Gibson. "He's very experienced in these situations and gives us a lot of confidence because we know we can rely 100% on what he's got to say."
For both GB teams, focus will now shift to preparing individually and collectively for the Final 8 stage of the FIP Euro Padel Cup in the autumn.
Tom Farquharson, who finished his first tournament in GB colours with a 100% winning record in Madrid, said: "For all the coaches and players it's now about setting a plan, making sure we get good training in, and hopefully the guys can play a lot of tournaments leading into it, because we know how tough it's going to be.
"We've had a great weekend and everyone has performed really well, so we're going to celebrate as a team then start straight away on preparing for the next stage. That's the main focus from here."
Farquharson, who partnered Alfonso Patacho for the victories over Switzerland and Greece, then fellow debutant Jamie Lobo in the final tie with Monaco, said his first taste of international team padel had been immensely enjoyable.
"I know all the guys really well, but to be here amid the atmosphere of all the other teams, you can't quite describe it. Everyone's making so much noise and it's an experience like no other. As a player, I really enjoy playing in those environments. It gives you so much energy. I'm just really excited for the next stage."
Keep up with all the results and updates from Team GB at the 2025 Euro Padel Cup below.
