Bargh eyes Euro medal hat-trick

Having won singles silver in Spain four years ago and a bronze in Ireland two years back, the Sedlescombe-based player is very much looking forward to flying out to Bulgaria tomorrow (Sunday) for the 2012 tournament in Sofia.

She said: “I can’t wait. It’s like a business trip to me. There’s a lot of names in there I don’t recognise and that’s what I like. I sometimes play better against people I’ve not played so much.”

Along with Heidi Bender (Germany), Bargh is one of the 3/4 seeds in a 21-strong over-50 women’s singles field. She has a bye in round one and will face Ilona Kienitz (Germany) in round two for a quarter-final place.

“I’m terribly proud and privileged to have that ranking out of the whole of Europe,” continued Bargh, who incidentally beat Bender 22-20, 22-24, 21-10 at the All England Senior Open Badminton Championships in April.

Bargh will also line-up in the over-45 women’s doubles alongside Kay Vickers. They are one of four English pairs in the 18-strong draw and two of the other three are seeded, including top ranked Sue Crompton and Viv Gillard.

Following a bye in round one, Bargh and Vickers will face the Germain pair of Bettina Horbach and Martina Tusche in round two. They could take on Dutch second seeds Sandra Kroon and Jeannette Van Der Werff in the last eight.

“The ladies’ doubles over-45s is an extremely high standard,” added Bargh. Although unseeded, she and Vickers have beaten English 3/4 seeds Betty Blair and Debbie Miller every time they’ve played them.