Badminton Club Zadar has reached an important milestone in the development of its young athletes — for the first time, our club participated in an international tournament, the 32nd TEM Slovenia Youth International, held in Mirna, Slovenia, from August 28th to 30th.

The event brought together 125 players from across Europe, creating a vibrant and competitive atmosphere. The diversity was visible right from the player list: athletes arrived from Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, England, and Portugal, each bringing their own style, energy, and sporting culture to the courts.

Lea Šimurina — our lone representative with a big heart

Our club was represented by Lea Šimurina, who competed in U13 singles and in U13 doubles alongside her partner, Katja Pavlić from BK Zagreb Maksimir. Although we were one of the smallest teams at the tournament, with just a single participant, Lea showed determination to participate in such a big event.

The atmosphere in the hall was inspiring — from large teams with many players to small clubs with only one or two representatives, everyone contributed to the unique spirit of the event. This mix of backgrounds and playing styles made the tournament both exciting and unforgettable.

First international victory in doubles

Lea and Katja achieved a significant milestone — their first-ever win at an international tournament. After winning gold in the Zagrebačka Liga earlier this June, this result confirms their progress and gives them an extra boost of motivation.

An experience that inspires growth

Participating in a tournament of this level offers much more than results. Lea had the chance to face different playing styles, meet new friends, observe top young European players, and feel the atmosphere of a major international competition.

We believe this experience will motivate her to continue improving, train with even greater focus, and embrace new challenges ahead.

Next up: Croatian Cup

The season continues quickly — the Croatian Cup is coming up this weekend 5.9. -6.9 . We look forward to new matches, new experiences, and new opportunities for our young athletes to grow.

Thank you for your support!

This is just the beginning of our club’s international journey. We are proud of Lea, proud of our community, and grateful to everyone who supports the development of badminton in Zadar.

We will keep training, improving, and building the future of our sport.