Denmark regained the European Mixed Team Championships title with a one-sided victory over England at Leuven, Belgium, today.
The latest title triumph marked the 15th time the Danes (featured image) had emerged on top in 23 editions of the championships, which started in 1972. Denmark had earlier beaten Germany in the semi-finals, avenging their 2013 final loss.
Former champions England were outclassed in quick time. Line Kjaersfeldt (left) took just 31 minutes to power past Fontaine Mica Chapman (21-14 21-11) in their opening Women’s Singles face-off.
World No.3 Jan O Jorgensen had far too many weapons for young Toby Penty. The Dane emerged victorious in their Men’s Singles match, 21-18 21-14, in 34 minutes.
Experienced Women’s Doubles duo Christinna Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter Juhl then made no mistake, sealing victory with a 21-9 21-14 result over Heather Olver/Lauren Smith.
Both semi-finals were close affairs, with England and Denmark winning 3-2 over Russia and Germany respectively.
England’s Mixed Doubles stars Chris Adcock/Gabrielle Adcock were stunned in the first match by Ivan Sozonov/Evgeniya Kosetskaya (above), 21-17 17-21 21-13, but Rajiv Ouseph (Men’s Singles) and Fontaine Mica Chapman (Women’s Singles) helped England gain a 2-1 lead. Sozonov returned with Vladimir Ivanov for Men’s Doubles and took the tie to the fifth match by beating Marcus Ellis/Chris Langridge 22-20 15-21 21-13.
However, in the decider, Gabrielle Adcock/Lauren Smith saved the day for England, outplaying Ekaterina Bolotova/Evgeniya Kosetskaya 21-12 15-21 21-16.
Denmark’s victory over Germany was a reversal of the result two years ago. Accomplished Mixed Doubles duo Joachim Fischer Nielsen/Christinna Pedersen put Denmark ahead, outplaying Max Schwenger/Carla Nelte 21-17 21-17.
Young Men’s Singles star Viktor Axelsen made it 2-0 for Denmark over Dieter Domke (21-15 21-12), but Germany clawed back from the brink. Karin Schnaase (above) saw off a battling Anna Thea Madsen (Women’s Singles) 21-18 11-21 21-14 before Michael Fuchs/Max Schwenger made it 2-2 (Men’s Doubles) beating Mads Conrad-Petersen/Mads Pieler Kolding, 21-16 21-13.
Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl (below) however prevented further damage for the Danes with a 33-minute decimation of Johanna Goliszewski/Carla Nelte, 21-15 21-9.
For the day’s results, click here.
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