Jayce
The 2024 European Badminton Championships, held in Saarbrücken, Germany, concluded with a historic finals day!
Top European players competed fiercely throughout the week at the 30th edition of the championships, bringing surprises, heartbreak, and pure joy. Today, new kings and queens of European badminton were crowned, making history in the process.
Carolina Marín’s Unbelievable Seven Consecutive Titles
Carolina Marín has just won an incredible seventh consecutive title, solidifying her status as one of the greatest European athletes ever. Her reign began in 2014 when she was just 20 years old. Now, a decade later, at 30, she remains firmly on her throne.
The Spanish player faced a familiar opponent on finals day—Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour. This was their fourth European Women’s Singles final together. Marín continued her dominance, winning the first game decisively. Gilmour, showing fluid attacks in the second game, threatened to force a decider, but Marín ultimately triumphed with scores of 21-11, 21-18.
With this victory, Marín ties the legendary Camilla Martin with seven titles, making her the second-most decorated champion in European history, trailing only England’s Gillian Gilks (12 titles).
The former Olympic champion and current All England champion now sets her sights on her ultimate prize—the Paris Olympics.
Astrup/Rasmussen Triumph
The Men’s Doubles final featured an all-Danish lineup, with 2018 champions Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen facing unseeded players Andreas Søndergaard and Jesper Toft.
The latter duo impressed throughout the week, defeating the eighth seeds, Thom Gicquel/Kristoffer Knudsen, and the second seeds, fellow Danes Rasmus Kjær/Frederik Søgaard, to reach the final.
Silver medalists from the 2023 Copenhagen World Championships and European Games champions Astrup/Rasmussen showcased their prowess in the final, winning 21-16, 21-15. Unlike their injury-shortened 2018 final, they could celebrate and savor this victory.
Stoevas’ Streak Ends
Three-time European champions Gabriela Stoeva and Stefani Stoeva were aiming for a fourth consecutive title, which would have tied the record set by Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl.
However, the French badminton scene experienced a stir this week. Yesterday, Margot Lambert and Anne Tran watched Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue secure France’s first European Mixed Doubles gold medal.
Inspired, they turned the tables in the final after dropping the first game, ultimately winning 16-21, 21-17, 21-11.
Earlier in the week, France had not won a European gold medal, but they secured two within days. This victory was particularly satisfying for Anne Tran, who had lost to the Stoevas in the 2018 European final with Émilie Lefel. Today, she emerged victorious.
Antonsen Finally Triumphs
Anders Antonsen had been seeking a memorable European final moment. In 2017, he narrowly lost to England’s Rajiv Ouseph. In 2021, he withdrew before the final, yet won the European gold. In 2022, he disappointed in a final against Viktor Axelsen. In 2024, through stellar performance all week, he reclaimed the European crown.
His opponent, Toma Junior Popov, who had defeated world number one and defending champion Viktor Axelsen in the semifinals, rode a wave of French victories. Despite a valiant effort, Popov couldn’t trouble Antonsen in the final. Antonsen controlled the match, winning 21-18, 21-13.
Antonsen released all his pent-up emotions. This was the final he dreamed of, and now he can call himself European champion heading into the Paris Olympics.
EC24 Medal Winners:
Men’s Singles (MS)
- Gold: Anders Antonsen (DEN)
- Silver: Toma Junior Popov (FRA)
- Bronze: Viktor Axelsen (DEN) and Joakim Oldorff (FIN)
Women’s Singles (WS)
- Gold: Carolina Marín (ESP)
- Silver: Kirsty Gilmour (SCO)
- Bronze: Julie Dawall Jakobsen (DEN) and Neslihan Arin (TUR)
Men’s Doubles (MD)
- Gold: Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (DEN)
- Silver: Andreas Søndergaard/Jesper Toft (DEN)
- Bronze: Rasmus Kjær/Frederik Søgaard (DEN) and Ben Lane/Sean Vendy (ENG)
Women’s Doubles (WD)
- Gold: Margot Lambert/Anne Tran (FRA)
- Silver: Gabriela Stoeva/Stefani Stoeva (BUL)
- Bronze: Debora Jille/Cheryl Seinen (NED) and Bengisu Ercetin/Nazlican Inci (TUR)
Mixed Doubles (XD)
- Gold: Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue (FRA)
- Silver: Mathias Christiansen/Alexandra Bøje (DEN)
- Bronze: Robin Tabeling/Selena Piek (NED) and Mathias Thyrri/Amalie Magelund (DEN)
