Another day has come to an end here at the 26th European Badminton Championships with victories for the medal candidates.
Viktor Axelsen (1), Carolina Marin (1), Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen (1) and Christinna Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter Juhl (1) are all ready for tomorrow after beating their opponents in straight games today.
Viktor Axelsen had his back against the wall in the first set against Lucas Corvee from France but the Dane manage to win 22-20, 21-10. Carolina Marin defeated Jordan Hart 21-9, 21-10, Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen won 21-14, 21-7, and Christinna Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter Juhl got a solid win against Julie Macpherson/Eleanor O’Donnell, 21-13, 21-8.
The competitors in the women’s doubles category Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva (2) played focused in their first match at the European Championships 2017 as they won 21-16, 21-19 against Kristin Kuuba/Helina Rüütel.
- It was not easy but we tried to stay focused, do our best and tried not to give away easy points. The first match at a Championship is the toughest one but I think we handled it well and we are ready for tomorrow, Gabriella Stoeva said.
- We will take one match at a time and we will try to go to the medals, the Stoeva sisters said.
In the men’s singles category the former gold medalist Marc Zwiebler (3) was a little bit surprised by his 21-10, 21-15 win against Toby Penty who he now has won over three times and no loses.
- It was easier than I expected actually. Toby is a very talented player but I think that he didn’t played his best today probably because I didn’t allow him to, I hope so. The first match is always hard so I’m glad I didn’t make to many unforced errors, Marc Zwiebler said.
- I always try to play well and fight and it’s always a good feeling to play and to beat the Danish players on home soil so that’s always the goal of course, but I’m just trying to enjoy it and do my best, Marc Zwiebler said with a smile.
Danish men’s singles Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus, Emil Holst and Anders Antonsen are also through to Round 3 so Marc Zwiebler have a good chance meeting one of the Danes on home soil.
European badminton stars Rajiv Ouseph, Line Kjærsfeldt, Ivanov/Sozonov, Ellis/Langridge, Corrales, Conrad/Kolding and Astrup/Skaarup are also ready for tomorrow.
- We will use the victory to get some confidence and some play time in the main hall. It’s great to feel that the spectators support us. It gives us something extra, Kim Astrup said after their 21-7, 21-18 win over Richard Eidestedt/Nico Ruponen.