Denmark cruised to their 16th title at the European Mixed Team Championships with a 3-0 rout of Russia in Lubin, Poland, yesterday.
Minus their talisman Vladimir Ivanov, who had been instrumental in taking them to the final, Russia were outclassed. Ivan Sozonov teamed up with Ekaterina Bolotova for the opening Mixed Doubles and the pair started strongly against Joachim Fischer Nielsen/Christinna Pedersen. The Danes had to save a game point before taking a close first game; the second was much easier and they sealed the match 24-22 21-10.
Anders Antonsen took on Denmark’s responsibilities in the Men’s Singles and didn’t let them down. The young Dane needed just 28 minutes to blow past Anatoliy Yartsev 21-7 21-8.
Line Kjaersfeldt had things under control against Evgeniya Kosetskaya from midway in the first game of her Women’s Singles encounter. Kosetskaya fought back from 10-15 and came within a point of levelling the deficit, but Kjaersfeldt stepped on the gas and left her trailing. The second game was a nearly similar story, with the Dane powering ahead from 11-10. The 21-15 21-15 result helped Denmark defend their title and claim their 16th title from 24 campaigns. After finishing runners-up to England in the first two editions in 1972 and 1974, Denmark won their first title in 1976. The Danes have been in the finals 23 times; the only time they have failed to make the final was in 1982, when they finished third behind champions England and runners-up Sweden.
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