Viktor Axelsen lifted the trophy in Glasgow and ended a twenty-year drought for European men’s singles; Europe has a new world champion. It has made reactions all over the continent. Badminton Europe caught up with a couple of European badminton personalities to talk about how Axelsen’s victory has had an impact on badminton in Europe now and in the time to come.
Kenneth Jonassen, national head coach for Denmark, former top player:
- I am going to put it this way; in the trainings and weeks leading up to the championships, I saw some new things from Viktor that I have not seen before. I think that I saw a higher level, especially, a tactical awareness, and, he was good in his communication. So, this provided me with the hope that if he believed in it himself all the way, his possibilities were good.
I mean, did we go over there with the expectations that he would win the gold? Of course not. But we went to Glasgow to see what we could get out of it this time. And then the expectations evolved underway when his game took shape, but he actually only played really well in the semi-final.
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Don't miss the statements from Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, Fabian Roth, Steen Pedersen and many more.
Read the full article in Badminton Europe Magazine issue 26
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