French shuttlers script history at Badminton European Championships; confirm gold in men's singles, doubles

This is the first time France will have gold medallists in men’s singles and men’s doubles at the Badminton European Championships.

France have confirmed gold medals in men’s singles and doubles – their first in the disciplines at the Badminton European Championships.

Both finals on Sunday will be all-French. In men’s singles, Toma Junior Popov will face off against Alex Lanier, who booked his place after a hard-fought 21-15, 21-23, 21-19 victory over Toma’s younger brother Christo. Meanwhile, the elder Popov eased past Croatian Aria Dinata 21-11, 21-13.

In men’s doubles, the Popov brothers advanced after an epic 76-minute battle against Daniel Lundgaard/Mads Vestergaard, edging it 19-21, 21-18, 25-23. Their challengers for the gold will be fellow Frenchmen Eloi Adam and Leo Rossi, who progressed after Rasmus Kjær/Frederik Søgaard retired in the third game of their semifinal.

Elsewhere, Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva cemented their place in the history books, becoming the joint-most successful women’s pair in tournament history by equalling the four European titles won by Danish greats Kamilla Rytter Juhl/Christinna Pedersen.

The Bulgarian sisters did not drop a single game throughout the week and sealed the championship with a 21-11, 21-16 win over Denmark’s Natasja P. Anthonisen and Maiken Fruergaard.

In the other final played on Saturday, Jesper Toft and Amalie Magelund captured gold by defeating top seeds Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue 21-18, 21-19.

Reflecting on the triumph, Magelund told Badminton Europe: “It’s really nice to stand here with the gold instead of bronze like last year. I’m so proud of us for keeping this level all week.”

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