The draw for the 2018 European Women’s Team Championships was conducted at the BEC office by Senior Manager Jimmy Andersen who was assisted by Danish women’s singles player Mia Blichfeldt.
Out of the 24 women’s teams, the six seeded teams were divided into the six groups. The list of seeded nations for the women’s team championships are: Denmark [1], Spain [2], Germany [3], Russia [4], Bulgaria [5] and England [6].
Hosted in Kazan, Russia, the combined event 2018 European Men’s & Women’s Team Championships will take place from the 13-18 February 2018.
Denmark are the reigning champions from 2016 and hopes to be able to continue their streak in order to qualify for 2018 Uber Cup in Thailand, in May.
The pressure
Blichfeldt and the Danish women’s team had to wait for the 8th draw before Sweden was drawn as the first opponent for Denmark in group 1.
- It’s going to be some exciting matches where I think we have the pressure on us, Blichfeldt said.
The women’s singles player has played the Uber Cup in 2016 but the 2018 European Women’s Team Championships will be the first for the young Dane.
Not as strong
Israel and Iceland joins Denmark and Sweden in group 1, so the Danish team must prepare for a couple of Scandinavian countries.
- It is not as strong compared to the other groups, but I think there will be some good matches, Blichfeldt commented during the draw.
Jimmy Andersen predicted an exciting first encounter between Denmark and Sweden, in a group where the two of them will be clear favourites to exceed.
Group 1:
Denmark
Sweden
Israel
Iceland
Group 2:
Spain
Hungary
Portugal
Slovakia
Group 3:
Germany
Lithuania
Ukraine
Ireland
Group 4:
Russia
Turkey
Estonia
Latvia
Group 5:
Bulgaria
France
Greenland
Belarus
Group 6:
England
Norway
Czech Republic
Poland
Watch the video of the live draw with Mia Blichfeldt: