Once upon a time, England dominated badminton. Not only were the English responsible for popularizing the sport of badminton, but England also wrote the rulebook for badminton. Thank you very much for that – we owe the modern badminton pioneers from England a debt of gratitude.
The English dominated the All-England in the amateur era winning 27 men’s singles titles between 1900 to 1938. Since then England has won zero All-England titles and has not made any significant waves as far as major tournament wins go.
The numbers and comparisons below demonstrate just how poorly England has been performing in the last 34 years. The country went from a powerhouse in badminton to obscurity.
The comparison to Denmark seems most appropriate since both these European countries have a similar history of badminton.
England men’s singles ranking in the 1990s compared to Denmark men’s singles
In January 1990, England was still relevant in men’s singles having 5 men’s singles players inside the top 32 on the BWF ranking.
JANUARY 1990
ENGLAND
DENMARK
Players in the top 100
6 players
15 players
Highest-ranked player at
13
3
Number of players in top 32
5
6
By January 1995, England still had 6 players in the top 100, but no players amongst the best 32 in the world.
JANUARY 1995
ENGLAND
DENMARK
Players in the top 100
6 players
14 players
Highest-ranked player at
33
5
Number of players in the top 32
0
5
England badminton ranking in the 2000s – men’s singles
In January 2000 England’s position was status quo compared to January 1995. Although Denmark’s top player was ranked number 1 in the world at the time, Denmark
JANUARY 2000
ENGLAND
DENMARK
Players in the top 100
6 players
10 players
Highest-ranked player at
34
1
Number of players in top 32
0
4
By January 2005 England only had 4 players inside the top 100. The highest-ranked player was placed at number 30 – a slight improvement since January 2000.
JANUARY 2005
ENGLAND
DENMARK
Players in the top 100
4 players
9 players
Highest-ranked player at
30
3
Number of players in top 32
1
4
England badminton ranking in the 2010s – men’s singles
The competition from Asia and other European countries truly heated up during the 2010s. England improved slightly in the past 5 years and now has 2 players inside the top 32.
JANUARY 2010
ENGLAND
DENMARK
Players in the top 100
3 players
8 players
Highest-ranked player at
39
5
Number of players in top 32
2
3
Interestingly, in March 2011 the BBC wrote this articleabout some of the problems at Badminton England. Very hard to believe that these sorts of problems occur within an elite sports environment.
In January 2015 England’s men’s singles representation was highly diminished compared to the past decades. Now only one English player made it inside the top 100 ranking.
By comparison, Denmark dropped from 8 to 6 players in 5 years, 3 of which were inside the top 32.
JANUARY 2015
ENGLAND
DENMARK
Players in the top 100
1 player
6 players
Highest-ranked player at
24
3
Number of players in top 32
1
3
Highest-ranked England player in 2010s
Darren J. Hall
ranked 10 in April 1993
Darren Hall represented England at 3 Olympic games (1988, 1992, 1996) and became the European Champion in men’s singles in 1988
England’s men’s singles de route continues into the 2020s
By 2020, England had not managed to fix the performance problem. On the other hand, Denmark managed to put 2 more players inside the top 100 and maintained a top 5 position for the highest-ranked Danish player.
JANUARY 2020
ENGLAND
DENMARK
Players in the top 100
1 player
8 players
Highest-ranked player at
54
2
Number of players in top 32
0
4
At the end of the 2004 season, England – the former badminton superpower – had not a single male singles player ranked in the top 100.
Denmark, on the other hand, is still relevant having not one, but two players in the top 5.
DECEMBER 2024
ENGLAND
DENMARK
Players in the top 100
NOBODY
5 players
Highest-ranked player at
106
2
Number of players in top 32
0
3
Can Badminton England fix the men’s singles problem? Will this former world number 1 be able to get it right?
A change is desperately needed in English badminton. And change begins at the top.
Needless to say, for Badminton England this is not a quick fix. In men’s singles, English badminton went from decent to obscurity in around 30 years. It will take time to get the men’s singles category back on track.
In April of 2022, Badminton England hired legendary Morten Frost as its new Performance Director. Here’s what he said about the prospects of elite badminton in England in 2022:
My very English colleague will follow up with Badminton England shortly. We also intend to publish a similar article for other categories and countries.
In a quiet village surrounded by rolling hills and vast meadows, there was a young girl named Ella. Ella wasn’t the best at badminton, but she loved it more than anything else in the world. Every morning, she would run out to the field behind her house and practice, imagining that she might play in a big tournament one day.
But there was something Ella didn’t know. The village had a legend, a story passed down through generations, about a mysterious badminton bird. It was said that once in a while when the moon was full and the stars were bright, the bird would appear to play with those who truly loved the game.
No one in the village had ever seen this bird, but they all knew the stories—of how it could serve a shuttlecock over the tallest tree or return a shot that no one could reach.
One evening, just as the sun dipped behind the hills and the air became cool, Ella was still practicing in her usual spot, trying to improve her backhand. She had been practicing for hours, and as much as she loved badminton, she was starting to feel a little discouraged. The shuttlecock seemed to slip away from her racket more often than not, and she was frustrated.
“I’ll never be good enough to play in a tournament,” she sighed, watching the shuttlecock roll away into the grass.
Just then, she heard a soft rustling in the trees nearby. Startled, she looked up. And there, perched on a branch of the tallest tree, was a bird unlike any Ella had ever seen. It was glowing softly, with feathers that shimmered like silver in the fading light of the day.
Ella blinked, unsure if she was imagining things. “A bird?” she whispered to herself.
The bird chirped a cheerful tune and flapped its wings, causing a gust of wind to blow through the grass. It then dropped something from its beak—a shiny, colorful shuttlecock—which landed gently on the ground in front of Ella.
Her heart raced. “Is this… the badminton bird?” she wondered aloud.
The bird hopped down from the tree, landing softly on the grass. It looked at her with bright, wise eyes and fluttered its wings. As if inviting her to play, the bird picked up the shuttlecock with its beak and tossed it toward Ella.
Ella laughed in disbelief. “You want to play?”
The bird chirped again, and this time, it took off into the air, flying in graceful circles above her. Ella grabbed her racket, unsure what to expect. The bird swooped down, and as if following an invisible pattern, it tapped the shuttlecock toward her.
Ella served the shuttlecock with all her strength, and the bird effortlessly returned it with a flick of its wings. The shuttlecock zoomed back and forth, faster and faster, higher and higher. Ella found herself laughing, not caring if she missed or hit the shuttlecock wrong because the bird seemed to understand. Each time she made a mistake, the bird would chirp encouragingly and return the shuttlecock gently, as if to say, “Try again.”
At one point, Ella tried to serve the shuttlecock so high that it flew over the tree—the highest she had ever hit it. But the bird, without hesitation, soared above her, caught it in mid-air, and brought it back down to Ella’s side.
“You’re amazing!” Ella gasped, her heart full of wonder. The bird was like nothing she had ever seen—graceful, playful, and full of energy.
As the game continued, the sky darkened, and the stars began to twinkle overhead. Ella’s skills began to improve with every rally, her serves becoming more accurate, and her footwork faster. She wasn’t just playing; she was learning.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the bird paused mid-flight, landing softly beside her. It chirped one last time and tilted its head, as if thanking Ella for the game.
Ella smiled, out of breath but filled with a sense of accomplishment. “Thank you, thank you so much,” she said, her heart brimming with joy.
The bird gave one final chirp and, with a flap of its wings, flew into the night sky, disappearing into the stars.
The next morning, Ella awoke to find the shiny, colorful shuttlecock lying beside her bed as if it had been left there for her to keep. She knew in her heart that the badminton bird had truly come to play with her.
From that day on, Ella’s game improved faster than she could have ever imagined. Whenever she felt uncertain or discouraged, she would think of the bird, its gentle wings, and the magic of that unforgettable game.
And every once in a while, when the moon was full and the night was still, Ella would look out into the sky, half-expecting to see a flash of silver feathers and hear the soft rustling of wings, knowing that the badminton bird might come again to play.
The End.
I hope you enjoyed this magical little badminton story! It’s all about believing in yourself, having fun with the game, and knowing that sometimes, a little magic can make everything feel possible.
1. Badminton Requires Aerobic and Anaerobic Stamina
Unlike some sports that rely heavily on either aerobic (long-duration) or anaerobic (short bursts) stamina, badminton players need a blend of both. The rallies may last only a few seconds, but they can be incredibly intense, requiring short bursts of anaerobic energy.
However, the long games and extended matches require a solid aerobic base to maintain consistent performance throughout the badminton match.
2. Staying power Is Key to Recovery Between Rallies
While it’s common to focus on endurance during a rally, the real stamina challenge (also referred to as staying power) often lies in the recovery between rallies. A player needs to recover enough to be explosive for the next point, making recovery a crucial part of stamina.
Badminton players who train their ability to recover quickly between points can sustain higher levels of performance throughout the match.
3. Footwork Drills Improve Cardiovascular Stamina
Badminton is a sport that requires constant movement, especially lateral and diagonal footwork. Footwork drills help improve cardiovascular endurance.
Studies have shown that performing footwork drills that mimic actual match conditions boost stamina more effectively than running long distances because they mimic the sport’s stop-start nature and lateral movements.
4. Stamina Impacts Mental Focus
Get inspiration form Jenny and Gregory on how you can improve your mental stamina
Mental stamina is just as important as physical stamina in badminton. The longer you play, the harder it is to maintain focus, especially during tight matches.
Fatigue can impair decision-making and reaction time, so players need both physical and mental stamina to stay sharp and avoid lapses in concentration during the match’s later stages.
5. Breathing Techniques Can Improve Stamina
Efficient breathing techniques can significantly enhance stamina. Proper breathing—such as diaphragmatic breathing or nose breathing—helps maintain oxygen levels, reduce fatigue, and improve recovery.
Players should focus on controlling their breath, especially after intense rallies, to avoid hyperventilation and allow for faster recovery.
The box jump is one of several plyometric exercises, which builds and improves fast-twitch muscle fibers
While badminton is predominantly an aerobic sport, fast-twitch muscle fibers are essential for explosive movements like smashes, quick lunges, and rapid direction changes.
Players who train to activate and enhance their fast-twitch muscles—through sprints, plyometrics, and agility drills—develop a stamina that supports repeated, high-intensity bursts of activity throughout a match.
7. Altitude Training Can Boost Badminton Stamina
Training at higher altitudes, where the oxygen levels are lower, has been shown to improve aerobic stamina by increasing the body’s ability to carry and use oxygen efficiently.
While not all badminton players have access to high-altitude training, incorporating activities like running or cycling at altitude can enhance stamina by increasing the red blood cell count and overall cardiovascular health.
In the past National players from Malaysia has used the facilities at Genting Highlands to do altitude training. Situated at an altitude of 1800 meters, Genting Highlands is relatively close to Kuala Lumpur.
Badminton stamina is a multifaceted attribute, involving cardiovascular endurance, explosive strength, mental focus, and recovery abilities. These lesser-known facts highlight the sport’s complexity and the need for well-rounded conditioning in players.
In order to improve badminton players must learn which aspects of their physical and mental aspect they need to focus on. For elite badminton athletes of all ages, consistent training of any of the physical and mental sides of badminton, will eventually prove to provide a competitive edge.
Introducing the unusual Badminton Dream Team – a bedtime story for children
Once upon a time, in a bustling town where everyone was always in a hurry, there was a little boy named Leo. Leo was known in the town for his big heart, but there was one thing he wasn’t very good at—sports.
He loved watching games, especially badminton, but whenever he tried to play, the shuttlecock would always fly off in the wrong direction, or he’d miss it completely. But that didn’t stop him from dreaming. Leo always imagined being part of a dream team, the best badminton team in the world.
One sunny afternoon, while Leo was daydreaming in his backyard, a soft voice called out to him. “Hey, Leo! Wanna play?”
He blinked in surprise. To his astonishment, a tiny squirrel was standing at the fence holding a little badminton racket in its paws!
Leo stared in disbelief. “You… you can play badminton?”
The squirrel nodded eagerly. “I’m Squeaky, and I’ve been watching you practice. You need a partner, right?”
Leo couldn’t believe it. “A squirrel? As a badminton partner? But—”
Before Leo could finish his sentence, Squeaky zipped up to him with a quick twirl and hit the shuttlecock back and forth in the air, showing off impressive quick moves. Leo’s jaw dropped. “Okay, okay! Let’s do this!”
And so began the most unusual badminton dream team.
The next day, Leo and Squeaky practiced together. At first, Leo was still slightly clumsy with his serves, but Squeaky was a natural. With her quick reflexes and cheeky dives, she would swoop around the yard, batting the shuttlecock into the air perfectly. Leo learned quickly just by watching her.
New team member – Milo the cat
But the team wasn’t complete yet. After a few days, Leo noticed Milo, his neighbor’s cat, peeking through the window. Leo had an idea.
“Milo, would you like to join our team?” Leo asked.
Milo, who had always been a curious cat, trotted over and lazily stretched before nodding in a way that could only be described as “cat-approval.” And just like that, the Badminton Dream Team was born.
Milo wasn’t the most athletic, but she was a fantastic strategist. Her role in the team was to predict where the shuttlecock would land. She’d casually stare at it mid-flight and “guide” Leo with a small tail flick, as if giving him advice. It was a bit silly, but it worked!
The trio spent the next few weeks practicing, each adding something unique to the game. Leo became more confident with his shots, Squeaky became the fastest player in the neighborhood, and Milo always knew exactly where the shuttlecock was going—before it even got there.
One afternoon, word spread that the Big Town Badminton Tournament was taking place. Leo, Squeaky, and Milo couldn’t resist. They entered as a team, even though most of the other players laughed at the idea of a human, a squirrel, and a cat being on the same team. But Leo’s heart swelled with excitement. He wasn’t nervous at all.
The day of the tournament came, and it was a fierce competition. The other teams were much bigger, faster, and more experienced. But Leo, Squeaky, and Milo had something none of them could compete with: teamwork.
Squeaky’s quick moves confused their opponents, while Milo’s guidance and Leo’s growing confidence made them an unstoppable trio. With every game, they moved closer to the finals.
Finally, in the last match, it was down to Leo and Squeaky against the town’s top doubles team. The shuttlecock flew back and forth at lightning speed. Leo could barely keep up. But just when he thought they might lose, he remembered his teammates.
“Squeaky, now!” Leo shouted.
Squeaky darted across the court, leaped high into the air, and smacked the shuttlecock with precision, sending it flying to the farthest corner of the court. It was a perfect shot.
Milo, from the sidelines, flicked her tail in approval.
The crowd went wild as the final point was won. Leo, Squeaky, and Milo had done it. They were the Badminton Dream Team.
That evening, as they celebrated in the yard, Leo looked at his two friends—one furry, one fluffy—and realized that the best part of the game wasn’t winning. It was the fun, the laughter, and the joy of playing together as a team.
From that day on, Leo knew that no matter how many times the shuttlecock flew off-course or how many people doubted him, he would always have the best team in the world: Squeaky, the badminton squirrel, and Milo, the genius cat.
The End.
This bedtime story is a fun reminder that teamwork, creativity, and a little bit of imagination can make even the most unlikely partnerships work wonders—whether on the badminton court or anywhere else! Hope you and your children enjoyed it!
Want more badminton stories including bedtime stories for children?
In a small village nestled between green hills, there was a little girl named Maya who loved badminton more than anything else.
She wasn’t the best player in her village, but her enthusiasm made up for it. She would spend hours practicing in her backyard, imagining herself as the champion of every match. Maya’s favorite part was the shuttlecock’s sound when it hit the racket: whip, tap, swoosh. It made her feel like she was flying!
One warm summer evening, as Maya practiced her serves in the backyard, something unusual happened. A tiny, bright yellow bird landed on the fence. Maya paused, curious. The bird hopped closer, tilting its head as if watching her carefully.
“Hello there, little birdie!” Maya said, smiling.
To her surprise, the bird chirped loudly and excitedly flapped its wings. Maya chuckled. “Are you ready for a game?”
Maya had a thought. What if she could teach this little bird to play badminton? Maybe it wouldn’t be able to hit the shuttlecock like a human, but it could certainly fly around and chase it! She carefully placed a shuttlecock in front of the bird.
The bird tilted its head again, clearly fascinated by the colorful feathers of the shuttlecock. Then, in a burst of energy, it flew up and darted towards the shuttlecock with remarkable speed, knocking it into the air!
Maya gasped. “You are playing!”
The little bird, delighted by its success, began flying in circles, trying to hit the shuttlecock again and again. Maya laughed with pure joy as she gently tapped the shuttlecock in the air, and the bird would chase it, dive, and flap its wings like it had just discovered the best game ever.
For the next few weeks, Maya and her feathered friend — whom she named Shuttle — became an unstoppable team. She would serve the shuttlecock, and Shuttle would swoop, dive, and sometimes even land on her racket for a brief moment as if celebrating every successful rally.
The neighbors, hearing the laughter and seeing the tiny bird chase the shuttlecock, gathered around and watched in awe. It became the talk of the village: Maya and Shuttle, the badminton duo.
As the summer days passed, Maya’s skills improved, but what made her happiest wasn’t the victory she might one day achieve—it was the bond she shared with her little bird, who had taught her something very special: badminton wasn’t just about competition. It was about fun, joy, and the simple pleasure of playing with a friend—whether they had wings or not.
And so, Maya and Shuttle continued to play, day after day, as the sun dipped low in the sky, leaving behind a world full of joy, laughter, and a game that brought them together.
The End.
This little story is meant to capture the spirit of joy and friendship that badminton can inspire, even in the most unexpected ways! I hope it brought a smile to your face!
Brian Yang impressed many people when he first came onto the international badminton scene around 2021. People took notice and BWF took notice as you can see in the BWF interview with Brian below.
He was young – around 19 – and the future looked bright. Some badminton experts thought Brian Yang could make it to the top 10 on the world tour ranking.
2 years ago I too was convinced that Brian Yang would become a top 10 player at some point during the calendar year 2024. At present Brian is number 28 on the world ranking. That’s an impressive achievement for a men’s singles player from Canada, but still somewhat disappointing.
Mind you, I do want to remain positive about Brian Yang’s prospects. Having spent one-on-one time with him, I can positively say he is a decent and amiable young man. He is grounded, humble, and easy to get along. All appealing personality traits in an athlete.
Facts about Brian Yang - Youngest ever continental games finalist at 17,6 years of age (Pan American Games 2019) - Born in Toronto, Canada. Resides in Richmond Hill - As of 2024 affiliated with Mandarin Badminton Clubin Markham, Canada
Is Brian Yang a one-hit-wonderor will he become a permanent fixture on the BWF World Tour?
I wonder why the obvious talent hasn’t produced better results for the 23-year-old Canadian.
Aside from winning the Yonex Canadian International Challenge, Brian’s most notable accomplishment in 2024 was the final at the Indonesian Masters (Super 500) in January 2024. He lost the final to Anders Antonsen in a match that lasted 1 hour and 27 minutes. This final is his biggest achievement so far.
Brian played 23 tournaments in 2024, with a match record of 24-22. He was a favorite to win the Pan American Championships but lost in the semifinal.
On the BWF World Tour, he lost 11 times in the first round and 6 times in the second round. At the Paris Olympics, he did not make it past the group stage.
As a result, Brian’s prize money earnings for 2024 were just North of USD 40.000 of which nearly USD 16.000 stems from his 2nd place at Indonesia Masters. Brian has received support from the wonderful CAN FUND in 2024 and he is supported to some extent by Yonex.
Will 2025 become the real breakthrough year for the young Canadian – or has he peaked already? There are likely some hurdles or challenges he needs to address in order to progress as a professional badminton player.
Brian Yang interviewed by BWF – worth a watch
In November 2021, BWF released a video entitled “Brian Yang making waves. In this video, Brian mentions his training experiences with Yonex Peter Gade Academy in Denmark and talks about his experience training with Viktor Axelsen in Dubai.
What are the hurdles preventing Brian Yang from reaching his potential?
Why has Brian not yet reached his potential? Why has he not made it to the top 10 on the world ranking? Some relevant questions are:
– is the fire that fuels commitment and determination an issue for Brian Yang? – is his badminton training setup good enough? – is he getting the right coaching and mental training/guidance?
It is well known that Canada’s badminton training setup is decent. But is it good enough to further develop a player of Brian’s caliber?
What’s your take on this? Let us know in the comments
See Brian in action and follow on Instagram
Brian’s father, Michael, has created a YouTube channel. The channel is an exciting mix of rallies and match recordings- check it out
More than 22.000 people are following Brian on Instagram – you can too
The European Junior Championships provided some exciting results this year with many unexpected victories and losses. It also gave the badminton world a glimpse into the future of badminton in Europe and the new stars breaking through.
The competition was held in the Spanish party Island of Ibiza from the 26th November – 06 December 2024. The bi-annual championships showcase the best under-19 badminton talent in Europe. These are all young hopeful players looking to break into the senior tour by showcasing their ability in the biggest junior tournament on the European tour.
Before the competition, there were a couple of key questions that were being asked.
Could Denmark hold on to the top spot in Europe?
Would Mateusz Golas avenge his defeat at the Jr World Championships?
Could Kaloyana Nalbantova prove she is the successor to Carolina Marin by defending the title she won 2 years ago at the age of 16?
Would Germany, England, and the Netherlands be able to stop the rot and stay at the top table of European badminton?
Would Spain find a new star to replace their star girl, Carolina Marin?
The tournament was littered with unexpected results this year.
European Junior Championships Singles!
In Men’s singles, Mateusz Golas of Poland claimed victory over the exciting Portuguese prospect Tiago Berenguer in the semifinal. Proceeding to sweep French hot shot Arthur Tatranov aside in the Final, Golas made it look easier than it should have been. With a simple two-set victory, he looked comfortable. Tatranov won a close semifinal against the energetic and resilient Scotsman Matthew Waring in 3 tough sets. A surprising position for 16th seed Waring who competed well. Poland Win!
In the Women’s singles, we saw the non-traditional badminton nations take over. Turkey’s Ravza Bodur overcame Siofra Flynn of Ireland in a clinical 2-set display in the semifinal. Likewise, Bulgarian sensation Kaloyana Nalbantova faced off against Czech 3rd seed Lucie Krulova, defeating her 6 and 8.
Nalbantova was not messing around in this competition, especially after her disappointing World championships. The final was no different, a dominant 21-16 21-9 victory to claim the gold medal. Bulgaria win!
European Junior Championships doubles!
The Men’s Doubles was a traditional affair with France, Denmark, and Germany making up the semifinal positions. Danes Robert Nebel and Otto Reiler took out 6th seeds Marzuan and Niemann of Germany.
The semifinal was straightforward for the Danes, who secured a two-set victory. In the other semifinal, Danes Philip Kryger Boe and Jesper Christensen were dispatched by French pair Gardon and Trescart. The Frenchmen calmly eased to victory in the third set 21-9.
This set up a tense final between France and Denmark. The latter was the established force in European badminton and the former the up-and-coming power in European badminton. The pairs met each other in the team finals only a few days prior where the French pair overpowered the Danes in straight sets.
This was no different! Trescart and Gardon took control of the final and never looked like losing the match closing the final 21-15 21-14. France win!
It was a similar story in women’s doubles. The French number one seeds, Elsa Jacob and Camille Pognante, faced Spanish unseeded pair Macarena Izquierdo and Carmen Maria Jimenez in a grueling three-set match. The French pair won a high-quality 50-minute match.
In the other women’s doubles semifinal, Amanda Aarebo Petersen and Maria Hojlund Tommerup obliterated Germany’s Shreya Hochsheid and Maria Sophie Stern, terminating their dreams of a final 21-5 21-6.
This left the two best pairs in the competition: Denmark vs. France once again, an exact rerun of the team final just days earlier when the Danes were victorious. This was a quick two-set match with some very high-quality rallies.
The French girls showed Europe how mentally strong they were and crushed the Danish dreams of European gold medals, winning in straight sets by 21-17 21-13! A great victory for Elsa Jacob and Camille Pognante! France Wins!
European Junior Championships Mixed Doubles
Last but not least the mixed doubles! Could Denmark gain some pride back and secure the title?
The semifinals saw Turkey’s 6th-seeded pair of Aktas and Yildiz against the French 12th-seeds Gardon and Desmots-Chacun. A tough 3-set match with both pairs competing well, showing their ability and prowess, ending with the Fench pair clinching the final set 21-17 / 14-21 / 16-21.
On the other side of the semifinal, Danes Otto Reiler and Amanda Petersen took on Spanish 8th seeds Lopez and Jimenez. The Danes looked strong, controlling the game and easing to a 2-set victory 21-14 21-18. This set up another Denmark – France final. Could this be the final Denmark could claim?
The final was by far the most competitive match. The Danes took an early lead and closed out the set 21-11. Then came the French Revolution, the French took an early lead but threw it away by the mid-game interval. Coming out of the break the game was tight, trading points until the French pair clicked. They pulled away, staying in front to close out the set 21-17. This set up the grandstand third set, the decider. The French now had their rhythm and some confidence. These pairs did not play the mixed team match so this was all new.
The first few points were tight, trading points back and forth. Then came the breakaway. The French pair played some nice badminton to put themselves 6-2 up and never looked back. They gained confidence as the match progressed to finish the match 21-13, showing Denmark they are no longer the force to be afraid of in Europe.
So who were the winners and losers of the competition?
Mathias Golas – Winner!
Mateusz Golas has been competing well on the European tour for a couple of years alongside his Danish nemesis William Bogebjerg. As William was out with an injury all the expectation was on Golas.
Mateusz dealt with this pressure very well and showed the rest of Europe just how good he was, even against the very competitive Tatranov. Golas has now conquered Europe if he can get to grips with the Asian styles he has a great future ahead of him. Alex Lanier, the last European Junior Championship men’s singles winner in 2022, is now in the top 20! Can Mateusz Golas follow his lead?
Kaloyana Nalbantova – Winner!
Kaloyana Nalbantova was honored in her home country of Bulgaria
This was one of the most dominant displays we have ever seen in European badminton. Nalbantova is the future of European Women’s singles, it was astonishing. She dispatched every opponent with ease and never looked in trouble, fully in control of every match.
Nalbantova was expected to win the title here, yes, she did her job, but sometimes how you do it is more impressive than the achievement itself. She didn’t drop a single set, never went to setting, and only lost more than 15 points in 1 set! If she continues to progress in this way she will more than replace Carolina Marin as Europe’s golden girl…
Nella Nyqvist – Loser!
This might seem quite harsh to those who followed the competition. However, we think Nella should be disappointed with her result. She came into the competition unseeded, so you might think there was very little expectation, well that’s not true as Nella reached the SF in 2022 at the age of 16! A great achievement!
To her credit, this year she competed well in the early rounds winning in straight sets against all her opponents. She barely lost more than 10 points in any set. Dominant some might say, however, she came up against Nalbantova, just as she did in the semifinal in 2022. A comfortable straight-set victory for Nalbantova ejected Nella from the competition.
We think this will be a rivalry for years to come as the top two female singles players in Europe with many more matches to come in this saga however Nella now has to overcome huge mental blocks to challenge and beat her Bulgarian nemesis. Could this be the European version of Lin Dan VS Lee Chong Wei?
Matthew Waring – Winner!
The Scottish hope! Matthew is fairly unknown in Europe compared to some of his rivals. He has been competing well on the European junior circuit, achieving quarter or semi-final finishes, and being beaten by the top European and Asian players, demonstrated by his seeding of 16th!
Based on ranking Matthew should not have made the semi-final but he competed extremely well, dealt with the pressure, and was able to think and act calmly in tense situations.
The second seed from France is unfortunately a loser out of these championships. Sometimes it is only the smallest of margins that can turn something from promising to disappointment. That is definitely the case for Malya.
To be ranked 2nd shows what level of player she is with good performances against Ananya Agrawal, Naaisha Bhatoye, Freya Redfearn, and Irina Andersen. However, she isn’t consistent enough, especially in high-pressure situations. This season alone she had losses to Nyqvist, Nalbantova, Alymova, and she was surprisingly defeated by Anja Blazina of Slovenia in the first round of the Junior World Championships.
We hope to see good progress from Malya Hoareu in the near future.
Denmark – Losers!
Yes, they won the mixed team gold with a narrow victory over France but they took zero titles from the individual event with no singles players reaching the QF in either singles event and losing all 3 doubles finals to France! Now they were down a player in singles who likely would have won, but this is now a trend that will not stop. Denmark is losing ground on France and this could be the turning point for that change.
The signs were there 2 years ago when Denmark only had 2 finals and 1 title, but they did compete in 8 semi-final matches, showing that maybe they lost that elite edge. With their pedigree, coaches, and clubs Denmark should be the China of Europe, taking 2 or 3 semi-final places in every discipline. Can anything be done to turn this around?
Suffering sudden injuries and sudden illness are part and parcel of competing in badminton. Denmarks favorite to win men’s singles, William Bøgebjerg, did not compete due to an injury. And Marie Viscovich, one of Denmark’s strongest girl’s singles players, also pulled out of the tournament last minute.
France – Winners!
For the past 5-7 years France has been building an impressive national team powered by their improved club system. While everyone focuses on the world tour results, the junior results show a much more realistic version of how good the talent system is for a country, before they go abroad and find different coaches. This is a huge success for France, to compete in the final of the team event with Denmark which they arguably could have and should have won.
England – Losers!
A huge disappointment for a former badminton superpower. In 2022 the English team competed in 2 finals, the women’s singles with Lisa Curtain and women’s Doubles with Curtain and Van Leeuwen. In 2024 they had no semifinals or finals! This was not expected as England did have a seeded men’s doubles pair of Ben Horseman and Jia Bin Lee.
Having only one seeded entry to start with must be seen as extremely poor for Badminton England which has resulted in a serious failure to compete at this top level in Europe. With their current senior players retiring, where is the next generation of English players? Is England on the verge of badminton irrelevancy?
Germany & Netherlands – Losers!
These two national teams feel quite similar to us. Both compete at the top of European badminton but have never been dominant. Now they are slipping below their normal levels. No finals, semi-finals or Quarterfinals in 2024, and only one final or semi-final in 2022. Instead, Spain seems to be taking their sport as the competitors to France and Denmark now, 2 finals and 1 titles in 2022, 2 semi finals in 2024. If these two nations do not change something they will fall out of relevancy.
What have we learned from the European Junior Championships 2024?
It is no longer a given that Denmark will come out victorious when tallying up the placement points at the European Junior Championships. Apart from France, several European countries have upped their game in recent years.
As mentioned, the junior championships of Europe are indicative of what’s to come. At the senior world tour level, Denmark is still ahead of the rest of Europe. However, we believe that the recent accomplishments of junior players from countries such as Poland, Bulgaria, Turkey, Portugal, Spain, and France could fuel additional resources and commitment to the badminton ecosystem in these countries.
What’s swell to see is the current enthusiasm for badminton in countries such as France, Spain, and Portugal. These countries will likely rise to the top in the near future.
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