The 2021 European Mixed Team Championships in Finland successfully and safely took place last week. After months of hard work and planning, it was certainly worth it.
For badminton, the EMTC21 was another big step forward for the return of badminton during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finland hosted the 2020 European Junior Championships in Lahti, with Badminton Europe, together with Badminton Finland, enforcing a COVID-safe bubble system for players and staff for the first time.
The event was a success and allowed Europe’s top young talents an opportunity to express themselves. A lot was learnt from this experience and brought forward to last week with Europe’s top players.
-There has been a lot of adaptation. Trying to do things, stopping, going a few steps back and trying one more time. We have tried our best to keep badminton alive, stated Brian Agerbak, General Secretary of Badminton Europe.
The level of effort and organisation put in towards the event has been immense, as Ville Valorinta explains.
-All areas related to the tournament needed to be thought through thoroughly from the COVID-19 point of view. We are very thankful for the Finnish authorities, who have been very supportive. Going the extra mile was required, but still, we have been able to prove that it is doable.
It was worth it!
The entertainment value for fans was high throughout the week, the players were able to play for their countries, write themselves into history with big results and medals, and many in the Finnish badminton community became inspired by what they saw on their screens.
-It was very important for us. We would have liked the audience to be present, but nevertheless, we wanted the event to go ahead. We literally did everything to make it happen and eventually, we succeeded and for that, we are very proud and glad, Ville Valorinta said.
Brian Agerbak, who was present throughout the week, is pleased with what was achieved and appreciates all of the efforts that were needed to make the 26th edition of the European Mixed Team Championships such a success.
-I am very grateful to the Finnish organisers for taking on these events under the circumstances. I think they have done an outstanding job. We have had several positive remarks from players and team managers, who say they have a purpose again. For them to compete has been very important for the top level of European badminton.
-Looking ahead now, it is much more positive. I think we identified some opportunities and hopefully, we can see the end of it with the rollout of the vaccine, but there are still many obstacles before getting there, he ended.