The 2012 European Championships will commence on Monday 16 April where the official opening ceremony is held. The local organizers in Karlskrona have prepared an exiting show for the audience, and as the final "act" of the evening, the opening match of the event is played at 20.00.

The opening match will be a clash between the young Slovakian player Jarolim Vicen and then the local hero, Magnus Sahlberg, who is representing the organizing club BK Carlskrona. The 28-year old, who is reigning national champion in men's doubles and former national champion in men's singles, was given a Wild Card to the event by Badminton Europe, and he must be seen as favourite going into the opening match as he will strive not to disappoint his many local fans.

The opening match, and the rest of the 2012 European Championships, can be followed live on Badminton Europe's streaming portal - www.badmintoneurope.tv

Photo by BadmintonPhoto