Spain’s Pablo Abian prevented Denmark from sweeping the three finals 
on the last day of the badminton championships at the Baku 2015 European Games today.
Abian (featured image) held off a strong challenge from young Dane Emil Holst in the Men’s Singles final. After a fairly comfortable first game win, Abian was pushed to the limit in the second, before he closed it out, 21-12 23-21.
“These events are different with all sports and the atmosphere,” said Abian. “It is a lot to manage. For me personally this medal is the best result of my career and I am very happy and also very proud.”
Losing semi-finalists Dieter Domke (Germany) and Kestutis Navikas (Lithuania) won bronze medals.
Line Kjaersfeldt (above; 2nd from left) recovered from a one-game deficit to overcome Belgium’s Lianne Tan. Having won the first game, Tan had her chances in the second, but the Dane edged past her and cruised through in the third to claim the gold medal, 19-21 21-19 21-9.
Petya Nedelcheva (Bulgaria) and Clara Azurmendi (Spain), who lost the semi-finals yesterday, were awarded bronze medals.
In the Mixed Doubles, Niclas Nohr/Sara Thygesen (above) finished the event on a high for Denmark, as they stopped France’s Gaetan Mittelheisser/Audrey Fontaine, 21-16 21-16, making it three gold medals for Denmark in five categories.
The bronze medallists were Sam Magee/Chloe Magee (Ireland) and Raphael Beck/Kira Kattenbeck (Germany).
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