Last week’s press conference officially marked the opening of the 14th edition of the Italian International, a 15.000 Dollars event in the Badminton Europe circuit which will take place in Rome, Italy at PalaFIJLKAM from December 9 to 12.

232 athletes from 36 countries from all four continents will be participating in the tournament.  Beatriz Corrales of Spain (n. 29 of the BWF world rankings) and French star Brice Leverdez (photo) lead the strong singles field as the top seeds. Michael Fuchs and Johannes Schöttler, Germany’s number one duo, are the hot favourites to take the men’s doubles crown in the Italian capital.

The “Team Azzurro” will be present with 17 athletes, under the leadership of its Technical Director Arturo Ruiz supported by Youth Technical Director Fabio Morino. The attention will be on three athletes of “Fiamme Oro”, Jeanine Cicognini (n. 72 of the Ranking), who already won five tournaments in 2014, Giovanni Greco and Rosario Maddaloni, (n. 74 of the Ranking in the doubles and  n. 136 and n. 114 respectively in the singles), and recent winner of the Zambia International men’s doubles category.

Click here for all previous champions of the Italian International 



The event will take place under the Patronage of CONI (the Italian Olympic Committee) and with the support of the Italian Defence Staff (Air Force, Carabinieri, Army and Navy), by Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Oro, Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Azzurre, Gruppi Sportivi Fiamme Gialle and Gruppo Sportivo Forestale.

Moreover, 650 students will watch the competition thanks to the project “Play Badminton”, supported by Regione Lazio in collaboration with MIUR – Ufficio Scolastico Regionale per il Lazio.

The Italian daily sports newspaper Corriere dello Sport will be FIBa Media Partner while the event accommodation will be assured by Tre Emme Viaggi. Main Sponsor of the event is Energetic Source, one of the major stake holders of the electric and gas market at European level and Partner of Federazione Itailana Badminton.

Click here for the 2014 Italian International results.

Article by Italian Badminton Federation. Photos by BadmintonPhoto.