With just days left until the 2021 European Mixed Team Championships, we take it in turns to look at each of the eight teams competing to be crowned the best in Europe.
France’s Group 2 opponents: England, Russia and the Netherlands.
There is no doubt about the potential in the French. The in-form European mixed doubles pair at the moment, making an impact on the world stage, is Thom Gicquel/ Delphine Delrue. The youngsters recorded good results in Thailand last month, and with two teams medaling at the 2020 European Men’s & Women’s Team Championships, the French team is not to be underestimated.
In the men’s singles category with the Popov brothers at the helm, the French have more than one card to play, and with strong doubles the French team will arrive in Finland believing they have a chance to medal for the very first time at the European Mixed Team Championships.
With Qi Xuefei on the roster, the French team also bring a strong women’s singles player, who can secure important points on the way to the podium.
France’s #EMTC trophy cabinet is currently empty, but this could change in Finland. On the back of an innovative internal team tournament called the INSEP Games, they are ready to go!
Strongest lineup based on squad and world ranking as of 09.02.21.
MS – TOMA JUNIOR POPOV (49)
WS – QI XUEFEI (39)
MD – ELOI ADAM/ JULIEN MAIO (51)
WD – ANNE TRAN/ EMILIE LEFEL (22)
XD – THOM GICQUEL / DELPHINE DELRUE (13)
To watch all of the live-action from the 2021 European Mixed Team Championships, 16-20 February, visit badmintoneurope.tv