Euro Final 8, the Under 20 charge: Gala & Släryd drive Europe’s NextGen

They’re only nineteen, but they play with the calm confidence of players who’ve been on court all their lives. David Gala and Willy Släryd, both born in 2006, are two faces of the new generation reshaping the map of international padel and bringing fresh energy to the FIP Euro Padel Cup Final 8. Alongside them, other rising names like Rosie Quirk (16, Great Britain), Martina Calvo (17, Spain), the French pair Fonteny and Boronad (18), and the 2007-born Milla Blaschke (Germany) and Constança Gorito (Portugal). Young players who grew up with a racket in hand and no fear of taking on the best. Yesterday, Gala and Släryd met again — Spain versus the fast-rising Sweden — a rematch two years after the Junior World Championships final in Asunción, where Spain claimed gold and Sweden a historic silver.

PRIDE For Gala, world no. 45 in the FIP Ranking, Spain’s red shirt already feels like a second skin. In 2023, just months before the Junior Worlds, he won gold at the European Games in Krakow. He’s the youngest of La Roja, the reigning champions everyone wants to beat. “Playing for Spain is always a huge honour, a real privilege”, he says. “Thanks to coach Juanjo Gutiérrez for trusting me”. He’s full of enthusiasm but grounded too: “As Spain we feel some responsibility — we’re always the favourites. But all the teams are improving a lot; players are stronger and more professional. This year might be one of the toughest European Championships ever. Anyway, I’m the youngest, so there’s not too much pressure yet,” he smiles. “Both the European Games and this tournament in La Línea are a source of pride. It’s always an honour to represent your country.”

RISING On the other side of the net, in a Swedish team that’s improving season after season, Släryd feels part of a generation on the rise. “It’s amazing to be here. We’re a young team, but we’re improving really fast”, says Willy, who in early October won back-to-back titles on the CUPRA FIP Tour — in India and Sweden — in just ten days. Huge progress for someone who’s only been playing regularly on the FIP circuit for less than a year. “We’re all growing, and you could see it against Portugal: we had a big chance, it didn’t go our way, but I feel we can compete with the top nations”.

TWO PATHS One goal, two different journeys. Gala represents the strength and tradition of a country that has long ruled the sport but keeps its eyes on the future; Släryd embodies the evolution of a new movement that doesn’t want to be seen as just an outsider anymore.

“We’ve come a long way,” he says, “and I think our generation can go even further”. Gala, used to playing alongside veterans, highlights the value of that mix between youth and experience that makes Spain such a complete team: “For us young players it’s key to have experienced teammates. And it helps them too — our energy makes them enjoy the tournament even more. If I had to describe us with one word: passion”. Släryd, meanwhile, focuses on team spirit: “We all know what we can do and how we want to do it. We know each other well and we love being together. The team chemistry is amazing. We don’t play just for ourselves, but for everyone on the team. We’re one fighting spirit”.