Final 8 ready to begin. Draws are out, all teams hit the court tomorrow

Sixteen teams — eight men’s and eight women’s — divided into two groups, are set to start the race for the European title. The draw held in La Línea de la Concepción, Spain, officially kicks off the Final 8 of the FIP Euro Padel Cup, the last stage of the new continental team tournament format. After Phase 1 and Phase 2 last July, the 14th edition now enters its decisive days, with matches starting on Tuesday.

MEN Group A starts with defending champions Spain as top seeds. Coach Gutiérrez’s team will face Portugal, led by the Deus brothers, bronze medalists in 2024. Great Britain and Sweden, both coming from Phase 2, complete the group. Group B features Italy, silver medalists in Cagliari last year, who will take on France, the Netherlands, and Germany — the latter two promoted from the second phase.

Group A: Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, Sweden

Group B: Italy, France, Netherlands, Germany

WOMEN Just like in the men’s draw, Spain are the team to beat. Iciar Montes’ squad, last year’s champions, lead Group A once again ahead of Portugal. Belgium and the Netherlands, both qualified from Phase 2, complete the group. Top seed in Group B is Italy, runners-up in the last edition, who will face France — bronze medalists in 2024 — along with Germany and Great Britain.

Group A: Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands

Group B: Italy, France, Germany, Great Britain

On the opening day, the first team in each group will play the third, and the second will face the fourth. Each tie will be played best of three matches, with each match best of three sets. The top two teams from each group will reach the semifinals on Friday, October 24. Finals — and the third-place matches — will take place on Saturday, October 25.