After the table tennis affront of the Lebrun brothers, and the coronation of Ugo Humbert in Dubai, racquet sports were not particularly popular at the FFL. But with Christo Popov’s historic victory at the German Open, it is a major diplomatic incident which shakes our serenity just five months before the Paris Olympics.
For all the badminton ignoramuses, including us, the German Open is a Super 300 tournament. A competition important enough that no French badminton player has yet won it in history. We then say to ourselves that we will never have to suffer such treachery from our Blues. But like AKRO said, never say never.
What do you think Mads Christophersen, Lee Chia-Hao, Su Li-yang and Jeon Hyuk-jin have in common? They all suffered the harsh law of Christo Popov. It must be said that the reigning French champion did not really want to offer suspense to the spectators. So much so that he qualified for the very first final of his career on a Super 300. A first red signal that we however take lightly. A big mistake that will have big consequences.
Christo Popov flouts our badminton reputation
In the final, the world No. 27 faces the Dane Rasmus Gemke. And from the first exchanges of steering wheel, we start to tighten our buttocks. The Frenchman is simply unplayable.
Superb rally with a touch of luck!@HSBC_Sport#HSBCbadminton #BWFWorldTour #GermanOpen2024 pic.twitter.com/8JbnkdZubi
— BWF (@bwfmedia) March 4, 2024
The Provençal leads 15-7 in the first round. But even though the boy was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, he was quick to show that he had assimilated the French values of the racket. Christo lost 10 of the next 14 points, and was caught 19-17. Lack of success for us, he denies our values at the worst of times by concluding the first set (21-17). Traditions are being lost.
Do you think the Frenchman understood his mistakes in the first round? Lol. Rebelote in the second set. Popov leads 19-11, and suffers another burst from his opponent (19-16). Will the Fosséen be able to pay tribute to his illustrious snowshoe predecessors, who would not have procrastinated in such a situation, and would have cracked with panache? But no, the new generation is much less funny. Far too obsessed with winning. The 21-year-old badista won the second round (21-16) and won his first career World Tour title. Simply pitiful.
???? @Popov_Christo wins the German Open
The Frenchman has just won his first title on the international circuit of #BWFWorldTour thanks to this #Super300 ????
A very good omen before the #YonexIFB which start Tuesday in Paris ????@EquipeFRA @FranceOlympique @Paris2024 @Sports_gouv pic.twitter.com/j4oYp87eQO
— FFBaD (@FFBaD) March 3, 2024
For the very first time in history, a French badista wins a Super 300 tournament. Why so much hatred towards our federation? Why such hype a few days before the French Open badminton tournament? Why is the noose tightening on us a few months before the Paris Olympics?
So many questions that remain unanswered.
2024-03-04 20:36:40
#Badminton #historical #disrespect #Christo #Popov
