For the first time Anders Antonsen can call himself the best Men’s Singles player in Europe.

Anders Antonsen has since the beginning of the European Games been the favourite to win the European Games Men’s Singles category. In the final he was under pressure, but the 22-year old is now the European Games Champion.

Brice Leverdez from France has made a good run at the Games in Minsk. Leverdez took the lead in the beginning of the first game, before Antonsen gained control after the interval winning the first game 21-18.

No easy win
In the past Brice Leverdez has proven that he can beat the absolute top players in the world, and in the second game the French was on fire. Taking the lead throughout the game and winning it 21-14 he forced the final into three games.

The crowd expected an entertaining final, and that was what they got. The level of the final was high, and Antonsen and Leverdez promoted the sport of badminton in the best way possible.

Before today’s match Antonsen had won the two previous meetings between the two finalists, and after the European Games final Antonsen is leading the head-to-head 3-0. The Dane won the European Games final 21-18 14-21 21-10.

Big title
It is the first time Anders Antonsen win a European major event.

- It feels good. It is always nice to claim a title, and this one it one of the bigger ones, so it feels good, Antonsen said.

- It was nice (to see the flag go up). You are standing and thinking how you came here and what you have been through to achieve a title like this. It makes everything worth it.

Fan bearer
Antonsen has been pointed out as the fan bearer for the Danish team on the closing ceremony. An honour he looks forward to.

- It is going to be fun. I was not here for the opening ceremony, so it is going to be fun to see, how it is, the European Games Champion said.

Men’s Singles podium at the European Games 2019:

Gold: Anders Antonsen (Denmark)
Silver: Brice Leverdez (France)
Bronze: Raul Must (Estonia) & Misha Zilberman (Israel)