It has been a few days since the European Championships are over but the excitement still remains for some. Although many already have their eyes set on the upcoming tournaments before the big event of the year, the Olympics, we take a quick look at what the players had to say about the big event on their social media.

“We did it!”

What better way to express happiness than with this simple and straightforward statement to go with your podium photo. No wonder Alina Davletova is overjoyed, as she got her hands on a mixed doubles gold with Rodion Alimov, a first for Russia. 

“Inexpressible emotions. I still can't believe that we won. Thank you all for your faith, words and help”

Alina Davletova’s mixed double companion, Rodion Alimov, was still astonished by their amazing win. Saying thank you to your fans for the support goes a long way.

“Some could'ves and some should'ves but that's life. Line played a fast, smart game (as did I at some points). A lil bronze to add to the collection. If this is what I can do with 4 weeks of training then you'd better believe I'm excited about getting back to the grind and preparing for what's to come. Always learning.”

Kirsty Gilmour earned a bronze and is still hungry for more. Reflecting on her performance in the championships, she feels optimistic about what is to come, as this demonstrates she has recovered well from her injury. The women’s singles player feels fully prepared for the upcoming challenges and is looking forward to learn even more from her future games and opponents.

”Not the colour I was hoping to bring home but on reflection it's been a good week with Marcus Ellis & Chloe Birch.”

Lauren Smith can be more than proud of going home with not just one but two medals. The ambitious double European silver medalist has now more prizes to add to her collection and a few important points too, although this is not something that worried her or her pairs. 

“Really happy with my performance this week. I have learned a lot from the matches and I’m looking forward to go home and continue the hard work”

Line Christophersen takes some time to reflect on the excellent performances she gave at the championships but she was already focusing on going home to Denmark to prepare for the next tournaments and continue gathering good results.

“Crazy European Championships with many ups and downs here in Kyiv: back on court with Linda Efler, strong performances during the week, a really close defeat in the semifinals in mixed doubles and then the news of Mark's positive test result. Oh would I have loved to see Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel fight for the gold medal… but health definitely comes first!”

‘Crazy’ is the word Isabel Herttrich used to describe the European Championships as she waited in quarantine at the hotel in Kyiv, which perfectly illustrates what a roller coaster the last days of the event were for most. Despite the difficulties posed by the positive COVID-19 results, the German doubles player got to collect a well-deserved bronze medal in mixed doubles with Mark Lamsfuss.

“What a crazy week it has been. Super happy with our bronze medal, but missed out on the prize ceremony.”

Just like Herttrich, Sara Thygesen describes the exciting championships as crazy. It sure has been a few hectic days, and the Danish doubles player is delighted with her medal despite not being able to attend the ceremony. 

“Really sad ending to this European Championships. I know this was a highly anticipated match and it sucks that we can’t entertain the people with a good match.”

Anders Antonsen earned a gold medal despite not facing fellow Dane and Europe’s number one Viktor Axelsen. It was a clash everyone looked forward to, but Axelsen’s infection with COVID-19 prevented the big game from happening. Hopefully we will get to see the two players battling it out soon, and the medal is a well-earned one despite the circumstances.

“It’s been such a challenging week both mentally and physically. Still happy with my performance on court and proud to get a medal, so it’s obviously not all bad.”

Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus is still ready to fight as he has shown in the championships. The great efforts have paid off, as he has won yet another medal this time. 

“I am happy to have the medal I have dreamed of. This medal is the success of all of us, which is earned after a long journey, correct planning, discipline and determined work.”

Dreams do come true and Neslihan Yiğit has managed to win her first medal. The 27-year-old has proved that she is determined to add more wins to her career and this important victory might be the push she needed to continue impressing badminton fans.

“I prepared hard, trained, dreamed about this medal since 2014, and wanted to win this fight. Our current rival Mark Lamsfuss got a positive COVID-19 test and the morning began with the news that there would be no final for them. Today this new reality has played in our favor, but no one knows what will happen tomorrow.”

Vladimir Ivanov is certainly in high spirits about his and Ivan Sozonov’s win, which makes them two-time European champions. Still, he had time to dedicate a few words to who would have been their opponents, Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel. We hope we can see a clash between these two strong pairs in the upcoming tournaments. 

“We didn’t play that well yesterday, the Germans did. But it has been one hell of a week. Really hope athletes can get a vaccine as soon as possible. We want to play and entertain but it really is difficult with all the testing and measurements we try to take, and then we still have cases like in Ukraine.”

Anders Skaarup Rasmussen did not make any direct reference to the bronze medal him and Kim Astrup earned, their fourth European Championships medal in their men’s doubles career —  a great feat indeed. Still, he placed the focused on the issues the pandemic brings to the world of badminton and sports, and poses the question of players being vaccinated as a priority, a heated debate in the recent months.

“Bronze and silver at this years European Championships. Feel disappointed at the moment that I couldn't get a gold but overall happy with a good week and showed good fighting spirit to get to where we did.”

Marcus Ellis played in two categories and returned to England with two medals. The English doubles player was aiming for gold but took home a bronze and silver, a great achievement, nevertheless. If one thing is for sure is that Ellis can keep on winning if he keeps up with his positive thinking.

"EUROPEAN CHAMPION! #PuedoPorquePiensoQuePuedo”

Six emojis and two words to summarise Carolina Marin’s historic win. A hand that symbolises five, and five medals that represent the golds she has already earned in the European Championships. The hashtag, meaning “I can because I think I can”, is a powerful statement that represents her life motto — which also served as the title of her book and film.