Leuven: After stunned by Germany 0-3 in the final of 2013 European Mixed Team Championships, Denmark – the European badminton powerhouse, made sure history won’t repeat itself on Sunday by defeating England 3-0 to win the greatest badminton team event in Europe.
Line Kjaersfeldt of women’s singles won the first match 21-14, 21-11 against Fontaine Mica Chapman in 31 minutes to get Denmark team off to a start.
In the men’s singles match that followed, the Danes took full advantage of the fact that England had to keep Rajiv Ouseph sidelined due to injury. Denmark fielded world number two Jan O Jorgensen, and he was utterly dominant throughout the match, outlasted Toby Penty of England 21-18, 21-14 to put Denmark ahead with 2-0.
Knowing one more point would seal the title for Denmark, Danish world number two women’s doubles pair of Kamilla Rytter and Christinna Pedersen produced a vintage performance to crush England’s Heather Olver/Lauren Smith 21-9, 21-14 and handed Denmark its 15th team title at the biennial event.
“We came here to finish some unfinished business that we’ve left off two years ago. We came into today’s tie with confidence and determination, fortunately things were going our way,” said Rytter Juhl after claiming the winning point for Denmark.
