Women’s singles player Jenjira Stadelmann assured Switzerland their first ever European Games medal in badminton by qualifying for the Tarnow 2023 semifinals.
The 23-year-old half-Thai, half-Swiss shuttler overcame the more experienced Lianne Tan, silver medallist at Baku 2015, 21-12 7-21 21-19 to set up a last four clash with defending gold medallist Mia Blichfeldt.
“It’s really really crazy,” an overjoyed Stadelmann told Badminton Europe when asked about her historic feat. “I have no words to say. I’m really happy and proud of myself. I deserve this.”
If Stadelmann nets another upset in her first meeting with Blichfeldt, she will face either Kirsty Gilmour or Carolina Marin in the final. Marin breezed past Kristin Kuuba 21-10 21-10 while Gilmour’s 16-21 21-11 21-19 win denied Line Højmark Kjaersfeldt a record third European Games medal.
In women’s doubles, the Stoeva sisters emerged victorious 17-21 21-14 21-12 against French pair Margot Lambert/Anne Tran.
“They surprised us. We just didn’t give up when we lost the first game,” said Gabriela, gold medallist with her sister at the inaugural edition in 2015.
Standing between the Bulgarians and a second gold are Cheryl Seinen and Debora Jille, who defeated Linda Efler/Isabel Lohau 21-14 19-21 21-17.
Men’s doubles final has also been decided – 2019 silver medallists Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen will take on Ben Lane/Sean Vendy after seeing off another Great Britain pair Alexander Dunn/Adam Hall 21-13 16-21 21-10. Lane/Vendy defeated Christo and Toma Junior Popov in straight games, 21-15 21-14.
The French brothers however are both in the men’s singles semis. Toma, who beat Belgian Julien Carraggi 21-16 21-15, will be up against top seed Viktor Axelsen. The world No.1 Dane just needed 39 minutes to complete his 21-10 21-9 victory over Finn Kalle Koljonen.
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