Europe’s eyes on Saarland: European Badminton Championships promise excitement and emotion
It’s nearly time! From 8 to 14 April Saarland will be in the spotlight of European badminton, as the European Championships in Saarbrücken’s Saarlandhalle promise breathtaking games, excitement and plenty of action. However, the European Championships are not just about medals – they also represent the final opportunity to gain qualification points for the Olympics, making this the all-or-nothing tournament for many players in their pursuit of the Paris24 dream.
Germany’s hopes are pinned on players including Mark Lamsfuß and Marvin Seidel, who are joining the men’s doubles competition in front of a home crowd as the defending champions and also have good prospects in the race for a ticket to the Olympics. But as Marvin Seidel stresses: ‘We must not let up. Every point counts and the competition never sleeps.’ As well as rewarding their hard work, a good final position would also be the key to a sought-after Olympics place.
The mixed doubles team of Mark Lamsfuß and Isabel Lohau are worthy of particular attention: they are also the reigning European champions and are seeking to defend their title at home. Furthermore, Germany’s top mixed doubles pair suffered a blow to their Olympic qualification hopes following Mark Lamsfuß’s knee injury last year. Achieving some top results in the coming weeks is their only hope for gaining a place in Paris. The European Championships in April, representing the end of the one-year qualification phase, are therefore even more important: ‘It will be difficult for us. The weeks before the European Championships will be crucial in determining whether we can gain an Olympics ticket at the event. But it would be very special, like something out of a film, to be able to realise this dream at a home European Championships’, BCB athlete Isabel Lohau explains.
Lohau is similarly one of the favourites for the women’s doubles. She and her partner Linda Efler, who also plays for 1. BC Saarbrücken-Bischmisheim in the 1. Badminton Bundesliga league, won silver for Germany at the last European Championships in Madrid in 2022.
As well as these German athletes, countless top international stars will also be making their way to Saarbrücken. The list of players notably includes reigning European champion and Olympic gold medallist Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, as well as prominent names such as Carolina Marin (Spain), Anders Antonsen (Denmark), and Christo and Toma Junior Popov (France).
Intoxicating atmosphere in the Saarlandhalle
The European Championships promise not only elite sport, but also a thrilling experience for fans. Following the magnificent success of the HYLO® Open last November, the aim is clear: to recreate and, where possible, even improve the atmosphere. This home European Championships offers fun for all the family, for badminton fans and for sports enthusiasts from the region. For Marvin Seidel in particular, a Saarland native and BCB athlete with local roots, the tournament is more than just a European Championships. ‘I can hardly wait’, Seidel delightedly says. ‘I am counting down the days until I get to enjoy the fantastic atmosphere and support at the HYLO® Open.’
Amid this badminton fiesta, it is hard to believe that this is the first European Championships to be held in Germany for 42 years. It is a historic and special event, not just for the athletes but also for the city of Saarbrücken and for Saarland as a whole.
Secure your tickets early, support our athletes, and become part of this unique sporting event in April. Saarbrücken is ready to make history – be there when it happens!