In a little over three weeks, players will be descending on Germany to compete for Europe’s most prestigious prize – the right to be named the best on the continent. The seedings have been released, let’s take a look at who is in the mix!
The 2024 European Championships will take place in Saarbrücken, Germany from 8 to 14 April. The seeding is based on the BWF World Ranking published on 12 March 2024.
Men’s singles
The world number one and reigning champion, Viktor Axelsen, is in the hunt for his fourth European gold. His compatriot and finalist two years ago, Anders Antonsen, will be looking for another shot at adding to his title from Kyiv 2021.
Bronze medallist from Madrid 2022, Toma Junior Popov, will hope to fly the French flag on the podium once again. His brother, Christo Popov, recently lifted the German Open title and will be searching for similar glory on German soil.
1. Viktor Axelsen (DEN)
2. Anders Antonsen (DEN)
3. Christo Popov (FRA)
4. Toma Junior Popov (FRA)
5. Rasmus Gemke (DEN)
6. Magnus Johannesen (DEN)
7. Nhat Nguyen (IRL)
8. Julien Carraggi (BEL)
Women’s singles
Spain’s Carolina Marin catapulted herself to another level when winning a sensational sixth consecutive championship in front of her adoring fans in Madrid. If she succeeds to win a seventh, Marin will match Denmark’s doubles legend Kamilla Rytter Juhl.
Mia Blichfeldt, silver medallist at the European Games last year, will be determined to upgrade her two European bronze medals from 2018 and 2022. However, three-time silver medallist, Kirsty Gilmour will likely have a say on the order of the podium.
Germany took women’s singles gold in 2006 and 2008 with Xu Huaiwen. Their hopes lie with fifth seed Yvonne Li.
1. Carolina Marin (ESP)
2. Mia Blichfeldt (DEN)
3. Line Højmark Kjærsfeldt (DEN)
4. Kirsty Gilmour (SCO)
5. Yvonne Li (GER)
6. Line Christophersen (DEN)
7. Neslihan Arin (TUR)
8. Julie Dawall Jakobsen (DEN)
Men’s doubles
World silver medallists in Copenhagen and European Games champions, Kim Astrup/ Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, are primed to add to their solitary European gold from 2018.
Reigning champions, Mark Lamsfuss/ Marvin Seidel, would love nothing more than backing up their European success with another gold for the home supporters in Germany.
Challenges for the podium can come from emerging Danish pair Rasmus Kjær/ Frederik Søgaard, runners up at the Canada Open last year, and England’s Ben Lane/ Sean Vendy who took home the bronze in Madrid 2022 and the silver at the 2023 European Games.
1. Kim Astrup/ Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (DEN)
2. Rasmus Kjær/ Frederik Søgaard (DEN)
3. Ben Lane/ Sean Vendy (ENG)
4. Mark Lamsfuss/ Marvin Seidel (GER)
5. Alexander Dunn/ Adam Hall (SCO)
6. Lucas Corvee/ Ronan Labar (FRA)
7. Daniel Lundgaard/ Mads Vestergaard (DEN)
8. Christo Popov/ Toma Junior Popov (FRA)
Women’s doubles
Three-time European champions, Gabriela Stoeva/ Stefani Stoeva, are in an unfamiliar position seeded third. However, the Bulgarian sisters are chasing a fourth title in-a-row which would match a feat achieved by Christinna Pedersen/ Kamilla Rytter Juhl.
Top seeds Maiken Fruergaard/ Sara Thygesen have an opportunity to turn their run of four bronze medals into a European final appearance.
Germany’s Linda Efler/ Isabel Lohau secured a silver medal in Madrid 2022 and then followed that up with a European Games bronze in Poland last year. Another strong run will certainly get the home crowd cheering!
1. Maiken Fruergaard/ Sara Thygesen (DEN)
2. Margot Lambert/ Anne Tran (FRA)
3. Gabriela Stoeva/ Stefani Stoeva (BUL)
4. Debora Jille/ Cheryl Seinen (NED)
5. Linda Efler/ Isabel Lohau (GER)
6. Julie Macpherson/ Ciara Torrance (SCO)
7. Moa Sjoo/ Tilda Sjoo (SWE)
8. Bengisu Ercetin/ Nazlican Inci (TUR)
Mixed doubles
European Games champions, Robin Tabeling/ Selena Piek, are focused on the chance to become the first Dutch European mixed doubles champions. Meanwhile, European silver medallists, Thom Gicquel/ Delphine Delrue, are eyeing up a first ever European gold medal for France which would be a big statement leading towards the Paris Olympics this year.
Top seeds Mathias Christiansen/ Alexandra Bøje are looking to deliver a first European title for them, while reigning champions, Mark Lamsfuss/ Isabel Lohau have a golden opportunity to go back-to-back at home.
1. Mathias Christiansen/ Alexandra Bøje (DEN)
2. Thom Gicquel/ Delphine Delrue (FRA)
3. Robin Tabeling/ Selena Piek (NED)
4. Mathias Thyrri/ Amalie Magelund (DEN)
5. Marcus Ellis/ Lauren Smith (ENG)
6. Mark Lamsfuss/ Isabel Lohau (GER)
7. Mads Vestergaard/ Christine Busch (DEN)
8. Gregory Mairs/ Jenny Mairs (ENG)
The draw will be conducted and published on Tuesday 19 March 2024.