Badminton. Guaranteed medal for France

Things didn’t drag on the 27^e European Championship by mixed teams which takes place from Tuesday to Saturday in Aire-sur-la-Lys (Pas-de-Calais): after the first two days – out of three – of the group stage, the four semi-finalists are already known.

In Group A, Denmark, quadruple title holders – 18 times crowned and 26 times medalist in total -, and England have won their two meetings and share the lead before their duel on Thursday (10 a.m.) for the third and last day. Same thing in group B where France, vice-champion of Europe in 2021 in Vantaa, and Germany, bronze medalist in Finland, have also won twice and will face each other at 4 p.m.

However, these oppositions Denmark – England and France – Germany will not be devoid of interest, especially for the French and the Germans. The draw for the semi-finals does not allow the winners of each group to meet. In other words: the winner of this France – Germany will undoubtedly avoid the Danish scarecrow. This presence in the semi-finals in any case guarantees the Blues their second medal in the history of the competition – at least bronze – and validates their ticket for the 2023 mixed team world championship from May 14 to 21 in China.

Two out of three for Alsatians

This Wednesday, the three Alsatians lined up and their partners ensured a second 4-1 success against Bulgaria, after that of the day before against the Netherlands. For his first tenure, Alex Lanier (ASPTT Strasbourg), world No. 1 junior (69^e senior), did not leave the slightest chance to Ivan Rusev, 297th (21-13, 21-10). In the closing mixed, Thom Gicquel (Red Star Mulhouse) and Delphine Delrue (Chambly), 5^es did not feel either against Iliyan Stoynov and Gabriela Stoeva (21-10, 21-15).

Only the other Mulhouseienne Margot Lambert and the Parisian Anne Tran, 31^es and double champions of France 2022 and 2023, stumbled in women’s doubles, not without titillating the sisters Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva, three reigning European champions (2018, 2021, 2022) and 13^es in the planetary hierarchy (8^es best of their career). They finally lost 13-21, 21-12, 10-21.

Group A (2^e day) Denmark – Scotland 4-1, England – Ukraine 4-1. Thursday (10 a.m.) Denmark – England, Scotland – Ukraine. Ranking 1. Denmark 2 (8) 2. England 2 (6) 3. Scotland 0 (-6) 4. Ukraine 0 (-8).

Group B (2^e day) Germany – Netherlands 4-1, France – Bulgaria 4-1. Thursday (4 p.m.) Germany – France, Netherlands – Bulgaria. Ranking 1. France 2 (6) 2. Germany 2 (4) 3. Bulgaria 0 (- 4) 4. Netherlands 0 (- 4).