With just four days to go until the 2025 European Championships kick off in Horsens, the continent’s top players have made it clear that they have harbour great ambitions. 

Delphine Delrue didn’t hesitate when asked about her and Thom Gicquel’s goals for Horsens, when asked at the YONEX All England:

“Our goal is to defend our Championships.”

After winning the mixed doubles title last year – following up on their silver from 2022 – the French pair come into this edition as top seeds. In 2024, they've had four quarterfinal finishes in the World Tour and a runner-up spot at the Super 750 India Open. Could Horsens mark their first title of the year, and a successful title defence?

In women’s singles, Kirsty Gilmour may have found her spark at just the right time.

“I feel like I got some momentum. I'm enjoying these opportunities I've had over these past four weeks to perform. To be honest, I haven't really felt excited to play for a while. This has reignited a spark,” she shared after the All England.

The Scot has won a total of five medals at the European Championships – four silvers and one bronze – but Carolina Marin has always stood between her and the gold. With the reigning champion absent this time, Gilmour, seeded third, has a great chance to finally take the title.

After lifting the German Open trophy last month, Robin Tabeling and Alexandra Bøje have got their eyes firmly on the prize.

“The European Championships are our big goal. We can be quite dangerous. It’s in my hometown, so I’m very much looking forward to it. Hopefully we can do well there,” said Bøje.

Tabeling added,
“We showed today that we have a good level to challenge a lot of pairs.”

The Danish-Dutch duo have found their rhythm. Seeded fifth in Horsens, they’re not just chasing a title – they’re chasing a win to remember that will mean so much more than just gold. With Tabeling retiring from international play this summer, it will certainly be a special run for the duo and perhaps a hometown fairytale for Bøje.

The 2025 European Championships are almost here and if the words of the players are anything to go by, we’re in for an amazing week of badminton.