FITEQ's newest tournament kicked off in 2025 in Pecs while the city simultaneously hosted a Tier VI. event for lower-ranked players but one of them stood out. 

Teqball season started in the Pecs a month ago and continued with two more events. The first of the eleven tournaments of the Challenger Teqball League this season brought the attention of the favourites as multiple world and European champions competed for 3000 USD. Altogether, 60 athletes from 15 countries registered for the Challenger Teqball League Pecs PSN but one nation's best won everything. 

In women's singles, the favourites confidently advanced from the group stage along with the two-time world champion, Zsanett Janicsek (HUN) who competed only once since the World Teqball Championships 2023. In the death group, the Hungarian Zsofia Dezsenyi did not give any chance to her opponents, Mira Faeno Dahlmann (DEN) and Maria Chedid (LBN) who got injured during her first match and had to skip the rest of the two. With Dezsenyi, Janicsek qualified but then was stopped in three sets by the European silver medallist, Amelie Julian. The Frenchwomen finished as bronze medallists after Kinga Barabasi (ROU) won in two in the semifinal. On the other branch, the world champion in 2021, Anna Izsak first triumphed against Viorica Tonu (MDA), then secured her spot in the final against Dezsenyi in three super-tight sets. However, Barabasi stayed immaculate at this tournament in women's singles by not dropping any single set during her campaign as she also won by 2:0 against Izsak in the gold game. 

"We started this year with a clear goal in mind—we want to become world champions, both individually and in mixed doubles," said Barabasi after the triumph. "We have been training really hard, and I am confident that this effort has played a huge role in helping me perform at such a high level."

The biggest question in men's singles was whether Apor Gyorgydeak could extend his unbeaten streak or somebody could take it from him. Many high-ranked and seasoned veterans and multiple world champions were up for the task. After the paper form in the group stage, the Round of 16 also did not bring surprises. In the quarterfinals, the record-champion, Adam Blazsovics (HUN) took revenge on the three-time world champion in men's doubles, Nikola Mitro after the Serbian beat 'Blazso' in the quarterfinals of the World Teqball Championships 2024 for the first time in his career. This time, in three sets, the Hungarian advanced further, however, his compatriot, another world champion, Balazs Katz stopped him in the semis in two close sets. The title holder - just like in Odorheiu Secuiesc experienced the biggest challenge in the SF when his teammate, the Polish Marek Pokwap forced him to three sets. That was Gyorgydeak's only drop after beating Katz to 2:0 in the final. 

I was confident about my victory, and I was 100% focused on it," highlighted Gyorgydeak. "The truth is, we have had a fantastic preparation. We have been training twice a day—strength training, pilates, and working with a mental trainer. We have developed a really strong team, and the victories are thanks to them too."

The dominance of team GOBEK did not stop in mixed doubles although many duos seemed to be the favourites before the start of the category. The group stage was quiet and in the KO no upset was registered. In the semis, in the battle of Hungarians Banyik/Acs beat Blazsovics/Pechy in two tight sets while Gyorgydeak/Barabasi did not let any questions unanswered against Pokwap (POL)/Vicsek (HUN). In the first set of the final, Banyik/Acs did everything perfectly while the Romanians missed the table a few times. The second set where Gyorgydeak/Barbasi won by one point became the turning point after they took the third as well and secured the third trophy for GOBEK.

"The main reason we called timeouts was to calm down a bit as the game got to me at times, and I needed a moment to regain focus." highlighted the key moments Gyorgydeak from the mixed final. "It’s a pure joy to play alongside him, and we always try to enjoy our time together on the court. That’s probably why we were able to pull ourselves together when it mattered and perform at such a high level, " Barabasi on the comeback in the final.

Before the finals of the Challenger Teqball League - Pecs PSN, the Tier IV. category Teqball Cup - Pecs PSN's golden matches were also played. In men's singles, the Danish wunderkind, Saxe Paarup-Clausen overshadowed the opponents. The rest of the podium was filled with Hungarians as Daniel Botond Varga finished second, and Arpad Sipos and Gergo Varga were third. In mixed doubles, the two finalists teamed up. They dominated the field and let nobody close to the trophy as they won every games' every set with an average of 7 points!

The second Challenger Teqball League event of 2025 will be held in Presov, Slovakia, between March 21st and 23rd. The finals will be streamed on TEQ TV.