The next major event on the 2017 professional Badminton season is the 2017 European Championships, taking place at Kolding, Denmark from 25th to 30th April.
As usual the BWF World Rankings will determine which players will be entered into the tournament, with Badminton Europe choosing one additional Wildcard entry in each of the disciplines (Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Mixed Doubles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles). So, who can we expect to see at this year’s Championships?
In addition to winning the final event of the 2016 season, the current Men’s World No. 3 Viktor Axelsen is riding high on the wave of a successful 2016, which also saw him take bronze at the Rio Olympic Games, and is sure to make qualifiers for the championships in his home country. Reigning Olympic Champion and two-time World Singles Champion Carolina Marin currently ranked at World No. 2 is on track to qualify and defend her European titles in Singles and Doubles this year, despite a less than successful competition at India’s Premier Badminton League earlier this month.
Last year’s Singles wildcards Lucas Claerbout (FR) and Yaelle Hoyaux (FR) are currently ranked at 64 and 160 respectively, and are competing in the Swedish International Open this month no doubt hoping for a place in the Denmark championships.
The 2017 event also coincides with the 50th Anniversary of Badminton Europe. To celebrate this new features have been added to the website including a dedicated fans page with links to live streaming and other content. Like other major sporting tournaments books are open for the European Championships with online bookmakers Betstars who offer straightforward facilities for badminton.
