The host bows out of the European Women’s Team Championships after losing to Denmark.

Denmark had to leave Sara Thygesen and Mia Blichfeldt out of the team due to injuries, but despite of losing their two key players, Denmark was off to the best possible start.

In 2019 Julie Dawall Jakobsen lost four times to French Qi Xuefei, but in the beginning of the tie between Denmark and France it looked like 2020 would be another story.

France took the lead
Jakobsen, who on Saturday was promoted to first women’s singles due to the foot injury of Mia Blichfeldt, won the first game 21-12. In the second game Xuefei bounced back winning 21-16 before taking win 21-8 in the third game.

- I started our really well, and maybe she did not play the best in the beginning. I had a hard time controlling her playing better, and I am just very disappointed. There was a good chance today, Jakobsen said.

Denmark made it 1-1 winning the first women’s doubles, before BEC Young Player of the Year 2018, Line Christophersen, won in three games against Marie Batomene.

3-1 victory
Denmark took a 3-1 win against the hosts, France, who for the first time ever brings home a medal from the European Women’s Team Championships.

The final match of the tie was won by Maiken Fruergaard and Amalie Magelund, who beat Vimala Heriau and Margot Lambert 21-14 21-11.

- When we had the first game in the bag I felt more relaxed and believed in it, Fruergaard said.

- We played with a much higher pace. We moved the shuttle well, and we had a good defence today, Magelund added.

2018 rematch Denmark will be playing their seventh consecutive final, when on Sunday they will be playing Germany in a rematch of the 2018 Kazan final.

Remember that you can watch all matches from all courts on www.badmintoneurope.tv