Huelva: The 2026 European Badminton Championships concluded in Huelva with champions emerging from across the continent, as Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Scotland, and England each secured a title in a highly competitive week of badminton.
France’s rising star Christo Popov was among the standout performers, capturing the men’s singles title but narrowly missing out on a historic double after falling short in the men’s doubles final.
Christo Popov Claims Singles Glory
Christo Popov delivered a composed performance in the men’s singles final, defeating Denmark’s top seed and two-time former champion Anders Antonsen 21-12, 21-19 to secure the European title.
The victory marked another milestone in Popov’s career, as he once again proved his ability to compete with Europe’s elite. It also continued his strong record against Antonsen, having previously beaten the Dane at the BWF World Tour Finals group stage.
Earlier in the tournament, Popov had already shown his fighting spirit in a dramatic semifinal clash against his brother and fourth seed, Toma Junior Popov, edging a thrilling encounter 21-18, 27-25.
Despite his success in singles, Popov’s bid for a double title ended in disappointment.
Double Dream Ends in Men’s Doubles Final
Just hours after lifting the singles trophy, Popov returned to court alongside his brother Toma Junior Popov for the men’s doubles final.
However, the French duo were unable to overcome England’s Ben Lane and Sean Vendy, who secured a straight-game victory 21-15, 21-16 to claim the title.
The loss marked Lane and Vendy’s third consecutive win over the Popov brothers, as they continued to assert their dominance in this matchup.
For Christo Popov, the result meant settling for one gold and one silver — still an impressive achievement at a major championship.
Stoeva Sisters Extend Historic Legacy
In women’s doubles, Bulgaria’s Gabriela Stoeva and Stefani Stoeva further cemented their legacy as one of Europe’s greatest pairs.
The top seeds defended their title with a commanding 21-11, 21-17 victory over Turkey’s Bengisu Erçetin and Nazlıcan İnci.
This triumph marked their fifth European Championships title, making them the most successful women’s doubles pair in the history of the tournament.
Reflecting on their achievement, the sisters expressed pride in continuing their dominance after also winning the European Team Championships earlier in the year.
Denmark Secures Mixed Doubles Title
Denmark’s Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra Bøje captured their first European mixed doubles title after defeating England’s surprise finalists Callum Hemming and Estelle van Leeuwen 21-19, 21-14.
The English pair had been the tournament’s biggest story, defeating higher-ranked opponents on their way to the final, including top seeds Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, as well as defending champions Jesper Toft and Amalie Magelund.
Despite falling short in the final, their run highlighted the growing depth in European badminton.
For Christiansen, the victory was particularly meaningful as it marked his first gold medal after previously collecting multiple European Championship podium finishes.
Kirsty Gilmour Finally Breaks Through
One of the most emotional moments of the tournament came in the women’s singles final, where Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour finally captured her first European title.
At 32, Gilmour defeated Denmark’s top seed Line Kjærsfeldt 21-17, 21-15 to claim the championship after three previous runner-up finishes.
The victory was particularly significant as it came in a rematch of last year’s final, where Gilmour had fallen short.
Her triumph also improved her head-to-head record against Kjærsfeldt, further solidifying her place among Europe’s elite players.
A Tournament of Balance and Breakthroughs
The 2026 European Badminton Championships showcased a balanced distribution of titles, with five different nations claiming gold medals across the five events.
From Christo Popov’s breakthrough in men’s singles to the Stoeva sisters’ continued dominance and Gilmour’s long-awaited triumph, the tournament delivered a mix of established excellence and inspiring breakthroughs.
As the badminton season progresses, these results are expected to shape the European landscape and influence upcoming international tournaments.
