Events

(Photo: Badminton Europe)
EBC21 Summary
Date: 5/4/2021 2:03 PM
Published by : Alan Raftery
At the Palace of Sports in Kyiv, Ukraine, the 2021 European Championships took place with 213 players from 36 nations, but only five players/ pairs could leave crowned as the best in Europe. 

In the most diverse medal-winning group in European Championships history, 10 different nations took home medals from Kyiv. 

Men’s singles
A category that has been dominated by Denmark, who came to Kyiv with the top four seeds, was splintered by a surprising source. 

Finland’s Kalle Koljonen, ranked 80 in the world, caused an upset in the third round when he took out seventh seed Toma Junior Popov. The left-hander then delivered some of his best badminton against third seed Rasmus Gemke to secure a historic first-ever medal for Finland. 

Hans-Kristian Vittinghus defeated fifth seed Mark Caljouw to win his second bronze medal, adding to the one from 2017. 

Both Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen did the business in the semifinals, setting up a much anticipated third meeting between the two in 2021. However, due to Axelsen’s positive COVID-19 test result, the reigning champion had to withdraw, gifting Antonsen the European crown. 

Gold – Anders Antonsen (DEN)
Silver – Viktor Axelsen (DEN) 
Bronze – Kalle Koljonen (FIN) & Hans-Kristian Vittinghus (DEN) 

Women’s singles
Neslihan Yiğit won her first medal and the second women’s singles bronze for Turkey, following a strong showing against Germany’s Yvonne Li. Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour, returning from injury, managed to add a third European medal to her collection. 

The 2018 European Junior Champion, Line Christophersen, just three years later competed for the senior title. However, Carolina Marin secured a fifth consecutive title, becoming the first player to do so. Marin is now equal with Peter Gade on the total number of gold singles medals. 
 
Gold – Carolina Marin (ESP)
Silver – Line Christophersen (DEN)
Bronze – Neslihan Yiğit (TUR) & Kirsty Gilmour (SCO)

Men’s doubles
The 2019 European Games champions, Marcus Ellis/ Chris Langridge, battled their way to a second bronze medal. Reigning champions, Kim Astrup/ Anders Skaarup Rasmussen settled for bronze this time after falling to Mark Lamsfuss/ Marvin Seidel. 

It is the first time on the podium for the Germans, however, due to a positive COVID-19 test result for Mark Lamsfuss, the pair had to withdraw from the final. The Russians have subsequently been crowned European champions once again, seven years after their first title in 2014. 

Gold – Vladimir Ivanov/ Ivan Sozonov (RUS)
Silver – Mark Lamsfuss/ Marvin Seidel (GER)
Bronze – Kim Astrup/ Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (DEN) & Marcus Ellis/ Chris Langridge (ENG)

Women’s doubles
Overturning the results of the 2019 European Games final, the champions, Selena Piek/ Cheryl Seinen, won bronze in Kyiv, matching the result they achieved in 2018. This meant that the first European medal for Chloe Birch/ Lauren Smith was silver. 

Denmark’s Maiken Fruergaard/ Sara Thygesen made it three European bronze medals for them. 

The golden duo once again were the Bulgarian Stoeva sisters who made it two in a row, asserting their dominance as being the best in Europe. 

Gold – Gabriela Stoeva/ Stefani Stoeva (BUL)
Silver – Chloe Birch/ Lauren Smith (ENG)
Bronze – Maiken Fruergaard/ Sara Thygesen (DEN) & Selena Piek/ Cheryl Seinen (NED) 

Mixed doubles
Mark Lamsfuss/ Isabel Herttrich picked up another bronze, as they did in Huelva, Spain three years ago. Mathias Christiansen, after winning the bronze in Kyiv with Alexandra Bøje, has now medalled in the mixed doubles with three different partners.

The 2019 European Games champions, Marcus Ellis/ Lauren Smith won the silver, which is a step higher on the podium from 2018. 

In a historic moment, Rodion Alimov/ Alina Davletova won Russia their first mixed doubles medal, and it was the gold. This was four years after their European Junior gold together in 2017. 

Gold – Rodion Alimov/ Alina Davletova
Silver – Marcus Ellis/ Lauren Smith
Bronze – Mathias Christiansen/ Alexandra Bøje & Mark Lamsfuss/ Isabel Herttrich

Watch all matches from EBC21 on www.badmintoneurope.tv

©badmintoneurope.com. All rights reserved.

Related news
29/03/2024
Europeans ready for quarterfinals in Madrid
European favourites out of the...

27/03/2024
EOC Executive Committee awards 2027 European Games to Istanbul
The European Olympic Committee...

27/03/2024
Madrid Spain Masters day 2: Victories, upsets, and excitement on court.
French siblings sweep to victo...

26/03/2024
A first action-packed day unfolds at the Spain Masters
The Madrid Spain Masters 2024 ...

26/03/2024
Spain Masters begins today with an unexpected withdrawal!
Madrid is buzzing with excitem...

25/03/2024
Lane/ Vendy and Marin, victorious at Swiss Open
The Swiss Open concluded this ...

More news