Number #2 seed Mia Blichfeldt was the latest withdrawal from the competition.

The Badminton European Championships 2025 will see some of the continent’s top players battling for glory, but a few high-profile names will be missing from the competition.

In the men’s singles category, Danish star and two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen has withdrawn due to a back injury that necessitated surgery. Axelsen’s absence leaves the field more open, allowing emerging talents to vie for the top spot.

This is not the first time Axelsen has had to withdraw from the European Championships. In 2021, he was forced to give a walkover in the finals due to Covid-19, handing the title to Anders Antonsen. In 2023, he withdrew in the second round due to illness.

Surgery went well! Thankful to be surrounded by highly competent people. Appreciate all your support. Rehab ahead. 💪🔥🏸 pic.twitter.com/i291enJQiL

— Viktor Axelsen (@ViktorAxelsen) April 2, 2025

With Axelsen out, the race for the title is wide open, with top contenders like Anders Antonsen, Toma Junior Popov, Christo Popov, and Alex Lanier. Antonsen, the number one seed, defeated Toma Popov in 2024 to claim the European Championships title. Christo Popov, on the other hand, reached the final of the European Games 2023, where he fell to Axelsen.

The young Frenchman Alex Lanier has been making significant strides with his recent performances. He recently reached the All England Open semifinals and clinched the Orleans Open title. Additionally, he won the Japan Open 2024, where he defeated top players like Lee Zii Jia, Shi Yuqi, and Chou Tien-chen. These achievements establish him as a strong contender for the European Championships title.

Also Read: Badminton European Championships 2025: Updated schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details

Additionally, Joran Kweekel from the Netherlands has also pulled out of the European Championships 2025, further impacting the men’s singles lineup.

Among the notable absentees is Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt. She was the number #2 seed but has been compelled to withdraw due to a shoulder injury that requires an estimated 8–12 weeks of rehabilitation. This development was confirmed by Jens Maibom, Elite and Sports Director at Badminton Denmark.

With her absence, the focus now shifts to the tournament’s No. #1 seed Line Kjærsfeldt, who recently finished as the runner-up at the Swiss Open, and fellow Dane Line Christophersen, the No. #5 seed. Both are now considered strong title contenders in the women’s singles category.

Also Read: European Badminton Championships: Full list of title winners

Blichfeldt’s absence opens up opportunities in the lower half of the draw, potentially benefiting players like the BEC Young Player of the Year, Kaloyana Nalbantova, and third-seeded Kirsty Gilmour.

The women’s singles competition faces additional withdrawals with Yasmine Hamza of Italy and Poland’s Wiktoria Dabczyńska not participating.

In the women’s doubles category, the Faroe Islands pair Bjarnhild Justinussen and Miriam Í Grótinum have withdrawn, as have Scotland’s Alexander Dunn and Julie Macpherson.

The mixed doubles event will also see the absence of England’s Gregory Mairs and Jenny Mairs, which could influence the outcomes in this category, potentially leading to unexpected pairings and results.

These withdrawals, while unfortunate, present opportunities for other athletes to make their mark on the European stage. Here’s the full list of players who have withdrawn from Badminton European Championships 2025:

Also Read: Badminton European Championships 2025: Live streaming, TV channel, where and how to watch?

Players who have withdrawn from Badminton European Championships 2025

Men’s Singles

• Viktor Axelsen (Denmark)
• Joran Kweekel (Netherlands)

Women’s Singles

• Mia Blichfeldt (Denmark)
• Yasmine Hamza (Italy)
• Wiktoria Dabczyńska (Poland)

Women’s Doubles

• Bjarnhild Justinussen/Miriam Í Grótinum (Faroe Islands)
• Julie Macpherson/Ciara Torrance (Scotland)

Mixed Doubles

• Gregory Mairs/Jenny Mairs (England)

The withdrawals of Viktor Axelsen and Mia Blichfeldt leave the men’s and women’s singles titles wide open, giving players like Christo Popov, Alex Lanier, Line Kjærsfeldt, Kirsty Gilmour, and Line Christophersen a golden opportunity to shine and win the championships.

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