Badminton Club Uzwil opened the new NLA season with a 7:1 victory over league newcomers Courrendlin in Niederuzwil. Playing in front of home supporters on opening day, the established Swiss club turned back a historic milestone for their opponents, who were contesting the first NLA match in their club’s history.
New Signings Fuel Uzwil Opening Victory
BC Uzwil integrated several high-profile summer acquisitions into their lineup, with three new signings making an immediate impact on the court. Lorrain Joliat, a 22-year-old Swiss national team player who transferred from Yverdon during the offseason, debuted against his former youth club, Courrendlin. Joliat secured victories in both the men’s doubles and men’s singles matches to mark a successful start with his new team.
Gaëlle Fux, a 19-year-old athlete from Valais who previously gained NLA experience with her home club Brig, contributed to the scorecard by winning the women’s doubles match. Danish newcomer Laerke Hvid added two more victories to the tally, triumphing in both the women’s doubles and the mixed doubles events.
Home-Grown Talent and Veteran Leadership
Alongside the club’s new arrivals, young players developed within Uzwil’s own ranks delivered crucial wins. Sanna Germann, 18, claimed victory in the women’s singles, while 20-year-old Liano Panza won both his men’s doubles and mixed doubles fixtures.
Head coach Iztok Utrosa praised the performance of the emerging roster, stating in the club’s official announcement that the young squad is already a joy to watch and that team morale is excellent. Danish professional Victor Svendsen anchored the team as a leader, winning the first men’s singles match alongside a victory in the men’s doubles. Veteran Rinoy Manavalan suffered a defeat in men’s singles, which marked the only loss for Uzwil throughout the entire fixture list.
Playoff Ambitions and Upcoming Fixtures
Despite the wide margin of victory, BC Uzwil management is maintaining a measured outlook on the standings. Coach Utrosa noted that the newly promoted Courrendlin side does not yet serve as a true benchmark for the team’s overall strength, with more demanding tests ahead against established NLA opponents.
Additional squad depth remains available for upcoming fixtures, with Dutch player Robin Tabeling and newly signed Danish player Kristofer Kolding awaiting their first appearances of the season. Utrosa confirmed that reaching the playoffs remains the primary objective for the club as the campaign progresses.
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