Madrid: Viktor Axelsen, and Carolina Marin don’t need to win another title to secure their badminton legacy.
Yet the 28-year-old Tokyo Olympic men’s singles champion’s pursuit of his third European Championships title is among the more compelling storylines of the tournament as he has reached the men’s singles final on Friday.
Axelsen defeated Misha Zilberman of Israel 21-10, 21-11 to meet defending champion and compatriot – Anders Antonsen in the final.
The 2021 winner – Antonsen had to work hard before seeing off Toma Junior Popov from France 21-16, 19-21, 21-15 in 71 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Rio Olympics women’s singles gold medalist – Carolina Marin of Spain is on course for her sixth consecutive European Championships title when she defeated Neslihan Yigit of Turkey 21-14, 21-13 in the semi-finals and will fight Kirsty Gilmour of Scotland for the continental title on Saturday.
The women’s doubles defending champions – Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva overcame Amalie Magelund/Freja Ravn of Denmark 21-11, 21-12 in the semi-finals and will meet Linda Efler/Isabel Lohau of Germany in the final.
Mark Lamsfuss/Marvin Seidel from Germany will contest with Scotland’s Alexander Dunn/Adam Hall for the men’s doubles title while Mark Lamsfuss and Isabel Lohau will also compete in their second final of the European Championships when they will take on Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue of France in the mixed doubles final.
