EUROPEAN JUNIORS 2011 – Danish Boys, Spanish girls

The finals of the European Junior Badminton Championships will see one all-Spanish and one all-Danish affair in the singles events, as both players in each final are from the same countries: Rasmus Fladberg and Viktor Axelsen for the boys, while Carolina Marin and Beatriz Corrales from Spain will fight for the girls’ title.

It’s quite an impressive result from the Spanish delegation, who knew they could bank on Carolina Marin – top seed of the event, but may not have expected to see her compatriot Beatriz Corrales make it to the final. The latter beat Germany’s Fabienne Deprez from Germany in straight games 21-17 , 21-11 to clinch her final spot.

On his end, Viktor Axelsen, known as the new jewel of Danish Badminton, had an easy ride towards the final but was expected to play Kasper Lehikoinen from Finland, the second seed. But the reigning World Junior Champion Axelsen will see on the other side of the net another familiar face on Sunday: one he sees very often at home as Rasmus Fladberg won out 21-12, 21-13 over the Finn, who had injured his right foot, but as a great fighter, still went on court and gave his best.  It was simply not enough against a sharp Fladberg.

The doubles see only one German pair – a disappointment after their win in the team event in men’s doubles, while England have two pairs, in MD and mixed. Chris Coles and Matthew Notthingam stunned the big favourites from Denmark, Fladberg and Sorensen, who were expected to take the title.

“That’s how the game is. I was expecting to win in doubles, but now I will just have to take the singles,” said Rasmus Fladberg, “but it will be difficult as Viktor is very good.“

German’s Holzer/Schweinger beat again France’s rising stars Corvée/Grosjean with much more trouble than what they had experienced in the team match and will meet the English in the final.

Finals results here

Live Commentary and live streaming HERE