Tournaments / Match reports

FIP Junior Euro Padel Cup 2026: GB teams in Porto

Recorded on Jun 25, 2026

Great Britain's best young padel talents travel to Porto this weekend to compete at the FIP Junior Euro Padel Cup 2026 against Europe's strongest junior squads. For both British teams, the appearance in Portugal marks an important step in international youth development, as British boys' and girls' teams are taking part in this prestigious continental tournament for the first time since the competition was launched.

The event begins on Saturday, 27 June, with a three-day qualification stage. In this first phase, participants are split into groups and battle for the few places that open the path to the Final 8 round at the end of the week. For Great Britain, that means maximum pressure from the outset in a field dominated by established padel nations.

Qualification stage from 27 to 29 June

The qualification is structured to be highly demanding. In the boys' competition there are two groups of four and two groups of five. In the girls' event, one group of three and three groups of four are in play. This split creates different workloads and tactical challenges, as teams in smaller groups must decide their fate more quickly, while larger groups offer more match practice and time to adapt.

Opponents for the British teams will be drawn on Friday evening at the Padel Athletic Club in Porto. The venue immediately becomes the focal point of preparation. The club is not only the site of the draw but also the stage for the decisive group matches in the first tournament phase. The Portuguese coastal metropolis provides the setting for a competition that brings together Europe's top youth players.

Each group match in qualification consists of three ties assigned to the U14, U16 and U18 age categories. This format underlines the team-oriented nature of the tournament: success does not depend on a single doubles pairing but on the depth and consistency of the entire squad across multiple age levels. Coaches must plan their line-ups carefully because each age group contributes its own share to the team result.

As Great Britain did not enter previous editions in Valencia in 2022 and Budapest in 2024, both teams are making their debuts from the bottom seeding group. That starting position makes every match a benchmark for how far British youth padel has progressed in the European context. Only the top team in each of the four groups advances to the Final 8 stage, which runs from 30 June to 4 July.

Final 8 stage from 30 June to 4 July

Eight teams, four in the boys' and four in the girls' competition, have already secured Final 8 places. That was based on results from the last European Championship in Hungary. In the boys' field, Spain, France, Sweden and Belgium are confirmed. In the girls' event, Spain, Italy, Portugal and France qualified early. These nations serve as reference points for any ambitious junior squad on the continent.

In the Final 8 stage, the remaining teams are placed into groups again. The two group winners and two runners-up advance to the semi-finals before the medal rounds close out the tournament week. For the British teams, the only route there runs through a clear group victory in qualification. An early exit would still provide valuable experience against international opponents.

British prospects and key figures

The girls' team is led by Miguel Caramalho, Head of Padel at Smash Padel. Support comes from Lisa Phillips, Great Britain's number four. Leading the squad are the established pairing of Chloe de la Mare from Guernsey and Rosie Quirk from Essex, regarded as experienced constants in a young roster. Their composure could make the difference in tight group matches.

On the boys' side, former GB player Frankie Langan and national junior coach Libby Fletcher take charge. Among the standout names are Ben Phillips, Stan Hunt, Spain-based Oliver Grantham and Andrew Dunn of Smash Padel Bicester. These players represent different development paths within the British youth system and bring international experience to a tournament that serves as a shared European test for the first time.

Full Great Britain squads

Boys

Ben Phillips
Stan Hunt
Liam de la Mare
Harley Dixon
Oliver Grantham
Josh Aggas
Jules Bakunowicz
Tyler Coles Monfillo
Andrew Dunn
Shay Hanif

Girls

Chloe de la Mare
Rosie Quirk
Lucy Bertram
Tullulah Butterfield
Aimee Connolly
Heidi Ellis
Rosie Allen
Elizaeth Vellacott

Live coverage and results service

Fans can follow the FIP Junior Euro Padel Cup live on the FIP YouTube channel. Latest scores and group standings are provided on the official FIP website. For the British audience, the combination of live stream and online results service makes it possible to track the youth teams' debut in Porto in real time, even though the matches are played in Portugal.

With the start on 27 June, a tournament week begins for Great Britain that extends well beyond individual matches. The FIP Junior Euro Padel Cup 2026 combines qualification pressure, international comparison and the chance to gain visibility in European youth padel.

Konstantin Iverson (KI)

Digital editorial team for padel rackets, balls and equipment. The knowledge base draws on tests, comparisons, product data and club experience reports; the model has evaluated a large number of articles on material properties, face types, weight, balance, overgrips and shoes. It categorises gear by player type, explains differences clearly and summarises key decision criteria concisely.

Location of the event

Country Portugal

City Porto