Spain will be welcoming the continents finest stars to their capital city after stepping up to host the 2022 European Championships.
Last month, Badminton Europe reached out to its Members seeking a host for the flagship European event of the year. Despite the short notice, it was pleasing to see several bids received and a selection process began. Ultimately, Spain won the bid to host the 2022 European Championships in Madrid which will take place in the week starting 25 April.
The Spanish Badminton Federation has a strong pedigree of hosting Major Events, having successfully hosted the 2018 European Championships, and recently the 2021 World Senior Championships and World Championships in Huelva. The passion and commitment shown to bring the European Championships to their country for the second time were well received.
Badminton Europe’s General Secretary, Brian Agerbak, is delighted that a deal could be made so quickly, and a contract signed for the biggest European event on the calendar.
-I am grateful to the Spanish Badminton Federation for stepping forward on short notice and delivering a very competitive bid for the European Championships. We are pleased to take this event to one of the big capitals of Europe and we are hopeful that this event can also mark the return from injury for Carolina Marin. The Spanish Badminton Federation is a reliable partner and with their vast experience in organising major events I am sure that this will only be one of many Championships being played in Spain in the coming years.
Marin to return in Madrid?
Europe’s most-decorated player and Spain’s badminton queen is working hard to make her return to the court from a long-term injury. At the 2021 European Championships in Kyiv, Marin made it five gold medals in a row, putting her level with Peter Gade for singles titles.
Despite missing her chance to defend her Olympic gold in Tokyo and also play the World Championships in her home city Huelva, the 2022 European Championships in Spain’s capital is now the perfect target to return and make history once again in front of a home crowd.
President of the Spanish Badminton Federation, Andoni Azurmendi Ibarrola, is excited and ready for the challenge.
-Hosting the flagship 2022 European Championship in Spain is a great challenge for the Spanish Badminton Federation, but at the same time, it is a great satisfaction. As we have already shown, we are amply qualified to do so, and we appreciate the trust of Badminton Europe and the Spanish institutions that support us in these projects.
For more information
Brian Agerbak, Badminton Europe General Secretary – brian.agerbak@badmintoneurope.com
Iñigo Marín Larumbe, Spanish Badminton Federation Media Officer - inigo.marin@badminton.es