In just two and half weeks, Europe’s top stars will be battling it out in Kyiv for the continental crown. Now we know the all-important seedings for each category, let’s have a look at the contenders.
The 2021 European Championships will take place in Kyiv, Ukraine from 27 April to 2 May. The seeding is based on the BWF World Ranking as of 6 April 2021.
Men’s singles
Reigning champion from 2018 and world number two, Viktor Axelsen, takes the top seed slot, vying to pick up his third European Championship gold. The 2019 European Games gold medallist, Anders Antonsen, will hope to meet his fellow Dane in the final, setting up a third clash between the two this year with their 2021 head-to-head greatly poised at one each.
The 2019 European Games silver medallist, Brice Leverdez, leads the French trio who make the last seeded spots, with recently crowned Orleans Masters champion, Toma Junior Popov, and the experienced Thomas Rouxel.
1 – Viktor Axelsen (DEN)
2 – Anders Antonsen (DEN)
3 – Rasmus Gemke (DEN)
4 – Hans-Kristian Vittinghus (DEN)
5 – Mark Caljouw (NED)
6 – Brice Leverdez (FRA)
7 – Toma Junior Popov (FRA)
8 – Thomas Rouxel (FRA)
Women’s singles
Will we witness history in Kyiv? No player/ pair has won five consecutive championships. Spain’s Carolina Marin is eyeing up this extraordinary feat as the number one seed. She would also equal Peter Gade’s five titles, taking her to legendary heights.
In the running to try and spoil Marin’s run, the 2019 European Games gold medallist, Mia Blichfeldt has been in good form and would embrace an opportunity to overturn the 2018 European Championship semifinal loss to the Spaniard. A major plus is the last time they met was at the Denmark Open three years ago, with Blichfeldt fighting to a win.
Another player to keep an eye on is Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour, who makes her return from an injury just before Christmas at the 2021 European Mixed Team Championships Qualification. Gilmour defeated Marin around a month prior, on her way to the SaarLorLux Open 2020 title.
1 – Carolina Marin (ESP)
2 – Mia Blichfeldt (DEN)
3 – Evgeniya Kosetskaya (RUS)
4 – Yvonne Li (GER)
5 – Kirsty Gilmour (SCO)
6 – Neslihan Yigit (TUR)
7 – Line Højmark Kjærsfeldt (DEN)
8 – Line Christophersen (DEN)
Men’s doubles
The reigning champions, Kim Astrup/ Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, have rediscovered their form just in time for their title defence. The Swiss Open champions and All England semifinalists are in pole position to grab the double, a feat last achieved by Danes Lars Paaske/ Jonas Rasmussen in 2008 and 2010.
Despite this upward trajectory for the Danes, the second-seeded English pair of Marcus Ellis/ Chris Langridge may have the psychological edge, having defeated Astrup/ Rasmussen in the 2019 European Games final. England also has a strong second claim with Ben Lane/ Sean Vendy, who reached the World Tour Finals semifinal in January and recently took home the Orleans Masters title.
1 – Kim Astrup/ Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (DEN)
2 – Marcus Ellis/ Chris Langridge (ENG)
3 – Vladimir Ivanov/ Ivan Sozonov (RUS)
4 – Ben Lane/ Sean Vendy (ENG)
5 – Mark Lamsfuss/ Marvin Seidel (GER)
6 – Jones Ralfy Jansen/ Peter Kaesbauer (GER)
7 – Christo Popov/ Toma Junior Popov (FRA)
8 – Daniel Lundgaard/ Mathias Thyrri (DEN)
Women’s doubles
Following the reign of Christinna Pedersen/ Kamilla Rytter Juhl, the Bulgarian Stoeva sisters embraced the position of being the queens of Europe and come to Kyiv as strong favourites to retain their crown. This year, either side of a disappointing All England performance, they reached two finals at the Swiss Open and Orleans Masters. They expect to also be playing come Sunday and to deliver the goods in the final.
The fourth-seeded Dutch duo of Selena Piek/ Cheryl Seinen may play a significant role in who is featured on the podium after a standout All England Open this year, defeating Ponnappa/ Sikki, the pair that knocked out the Stoevas, to reach the semifinals. The 2019 European Games champions also took the Stoevas to three games at the Orleans Masters.
1 - Gabriela Stoeva/ Stefani Stoeva (BUL)
2 – Chloe Birch/ Lauren Smith (ENG)
3 – Maiken Fruergaard/ Sara Thygesen (DEN)
4 – Selena Piek/ Cheryl Seinen (NED)
5 – Emilie Lefel/ Anne Tran (FRA)
6 – Alexandra Bøje/ Mette Poulsen (DEN)
7 – Amalie Magelund/ Freja Ravn (DEN)
8 – Linda Efler/ Isabel Herttrich (GER)
Mixed doubles
One might perhaps think that with the unfortunate absence of the double reigning champions, Chris and Gabby Adcock, the path to the gold would become clearer. However, several pairs in mixed doubles throw their hats into the ring. Top seeds Marcus Ellis/ Lauren Smith took gold in Minsk at the 2019 European Games and with two semifinal runs at the Swiss and All England Opens, they will hope to deliver in Kyiv.
The new French sensations, Thom Gicquel/ Delphine Delrue, who have been in scintillating form of late, have a strong chance for something special. The Swiss Open champions and All England quarterfinalists have stated firmly that they want to prove that they are the best in Europe.
A pair that has also risen up the pecking order is Mathias Christiansen/ Alexandra Bøje, who displayed a consistent run of form this year. Reaching the final of the Swiss Open which they were unfortunate to lose, pushed the eventual All England champions Yuta Watanabe/ Arisa Higashino to a close match, and recently secured a title win at the Orleans Masters.
1 – Marcus Ellis/ Lauren Smith (ENG)
2 – Thom Gicquel/ Delphine Delrue (FRA)
3 – Mark Lamsfuss/ Isabel Herttrich (GER)
4 – Mathias Christiansen/ Alexandra Bøje (DEN)
5 – Robin Tabeling/ Selena Piek (NED)
6 – Rodion Alimov/ Alina Davletova (RUS)
7 – Sam Magee/ Chloe Magee (IRL)
8 – Ronan Labar/ Anne Tran (FRA)
The draw has been pushed back by one week and will be conducted and published on 20 April 2021.
The seeding will be adjusted if needed in case a seeded player/pair has to withdraw before the draw is done and subsequently announced on Tuesday 20 April before the draw is conducted.
For more information about the 2021 European Championships, click here.
The full list of seeded entries can be viewed here.