Technological University of Dublin celebrated success on the European sporting stage recently as their badminton team secured a bronze medal at the EUSA Games in Lodz, Poland.

In a competition that began with 19 universities from across the continent, TU Dublin was pitted into a group with University of Bordeaux (France), University of West Bohemia (Czech Republic) and University of Cyprus (Cyprus

With the competition structure for each match of a men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and a mixed doubles every game was important and that’s how it proved in the opening contest as TU Dublin saw off University of Bordeaux 3-2 with Kate Frost and Moya Ryan winning the deciding women’s doubles to get off to a flyer.

In round two it was another tight clash with University of West Bohemia, after Conor Bradley and Moya Ryan lost out narrowly in the mixed doubles, David Walsh steadied the ship with a two set victory in the Men’s Singles and Kate Frost claimed victory in the Women’s Singles also to put TU Dublin in the driving seat, however David and Conor lost out in the Men’s Doubles so it was again down to the women’s doubles and Moya and Kate again won through.

The final group game proved to be an onslaught from TU Dublin as the team powered past University of Cyprus 5-0 to top the group and guarantee at least a bronze medal.

The semi-final on day two saw TU Dublin take on University of Strasbourg, and the French side had also topped their group. It would prove a very close and hard-fought battle with David Walsh winning the men’s singles however it was to be the only win in the match for TU Dublin as losses in the mixed doubles, women’s singles and men’s doubles saw the French side advance to the final.

This was TU Dublin’s first time to compete in the EUSA Games and after being seeded 19th at the start of the competition, they rose to the podium to claim a bronze medal.