After 12 weeks of rankings, the final European Games ranking has been released. These are the players who are going to head to Minsk in Belarus for the multi-sport event in June!
The Top 30 players of each of the five categories will travel to the Games in June, many from the top of the World Rankings, including Viktor Axelsen, who will compete at his first European Games.
(Rankings can be seen below)
Wrapping it up
Axelsen, currently competing at the YONEX-SUNRISE India Open, is top of the list for the Men’s Singles, while Carolina Marin tops the list for the Women’s Singles. But at the moment, the Spaniard is not confirmed to compete, as she is currently nursing an injury.
In Men’s Doubles, it is Denmark again, dominating with Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen going to Minsk, currently top of the European Rankings, while in Women’s Doubles, it is the All England quarter finalists, Gabriela/Stefani Stoeva from Bulgaria.
The Mixed Doubles are dominated by family relations with Chris/Gabrielle Adcock and Marcus Ellis/Lauren Smith from England heading to the multi-sport event.
Also, to add to family relations, Misha Zilberman/Svetlana Zilberman from Israel are qualified for Minsk, as mother and son look to add another event to their careers.
First European Games for Axelsen
This year will be the first attempt for the Dane to win a medal or even win the event in Minsk, but Axelsen is ready for the tough competition.
“I have not been to a European Games so far, but I can imagine that it is similar to the Olympics in some way,” Axelsen told Badminton Europe.
“My goal is to definitely do well and win it if I can, it is always tough and you never know what is going to happen,” he added.
You can read the rest of the Exclusive interview with the YONEX All England finalist in the special European Games BEC Magazine, which will be published this summer.