Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue will seek the first European title in French badminton
Incredible performance of French badminton at the European Championships in Germany, culminating in the first European title in its history thanks to Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, but also the feat of Toma Junior Popov and the performance of Margot Lambert and Anne Tran.
Tonight, French badminton could write history. The first European title in its history beckoned, with the presence of Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue in the final of the European Mixed Doubles Championships. On paper, equal chances with the Danish pair Mathias Christiansen – Alexandra Boje.
Despite everything, the memory that the tricolor duo had reached the final of the last two editions, losing each time after tough battles. No triumphalism therefore, it was necessary to be serious from the first to the last point to finally raise their Grail. Which they tried to do from the outset, reducing their mistakes to a minimum. But they were dealing with a pair who stood out to them.
Until the end of the set, when the Blues made a terrible acceleration to achieve a terrible 6-1 and take the set. Only one set was missing for the feat, and after a few hesitant points, the French went into boss mode, scored no less than eight points in a row, and then seemed unstoppable, despite some difficulties on serve.
The most complicated thing remained: concluding despite the pressure. It will be done in a brilliant manner, not without a slight tremor, quite legitimate, but there was a little extra among the French, who remained serious until the end. Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue won 21-16, 21-16 and wrote a huge page in the history of French badminton, which had never before won a European title.
Lambert / Tran ensure Popov’s feat
There will be another title chance tomorrow. Margot Lambert and Anne Tran indeed delivered a real recital in the semi-finals against those who were still reigning European vice-champions, the Dutch Debora Jille and Cheryl Seinen.
From start to finish, the Blue dominated their opponents, who almost got back together after a missed start, but the French played to their hand, accelerated to conclude the first round before completely unfolding in the second. The Dutch quickly surrendered, and the French pair won 21-15, 21-12. A victory which offers them their first European final, they who were in bronze last year, but for the supreme title, it will be necessary to dismiss the triple title holders, the Bulgarian sisters Gabriela Stoeva and Stefani Stoeva.
For Toma Junior Popov, assured of a bronze medal for the third time in a row, the challenge was quite different. Viktor Axelsen, world number 1, Olympic champion, double world champion, quadruple European champion, the reference in world badminton. A theoretically superior opponent, but who did not impress the Frenchman.
His first inning was a model of solidity. At first dominant, he suffered the rise of his rival, but when the points counted, he moved forward with a concrete game plan, and when the score reached 19-19, he went for the round like a boss, forcing the fault of his rival. The latter responded in the second, regaining his punch, but never really got away from the Frenchman, who was biding his time in the decisive round.
And his time has come. Impressively, he ended up disgusting an opponent who was theoretically stronger, but who had his brain “eaten” by a Frenchman who showed off his enormous offensive palette, between well-felt drop shots and devastating rights and lefts. Totally outclassed, Viktor Axelsen ended up giving up and Toma Junior Popov achieved a monumental feat, winning 21-19, 17-21, 21-9. Here he is in the final against another Dane, Anders Antonsen, but anything is possible, and as a bonus he has ensured his Olympic qualification in singles. The weekend could be historic for French badminton!
2024-04-13 20:01:05
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