For the first time ever, a nation other than Denmark has won the European Men’s Team Championships. France have just defeated Denmark in the final and can now call themselves European Men’s Team Champions.
It was a tie that had to go all the way to the fifth and decisive match to determine the winner.
Anders Antonsen and Christo Popov faced off in the opening clash, and the two world stars delivered a fantastic match. After 1 hour and 14 minutes, the Dane emerged victorious, 21–12, 15–21, 21–16.
France levelled the tie in the second men’s singles, as Alex Lanier defeated Rasmus Gemke 21–16, 21–16.
In the third men’s singles, Denmark selected Ditlev Jæger Holm, ranked No. 75 in the world, instead of Magnus Johannesen, who sits 30 places higher in the rankings. On the other side of the net stood world No. 17 Toma Junior Popov.
However, it was impossible to see the ranking gap in their level of play. Holm truly seized his opportunity and claimed the first game 22–20. In the second game, the underdog Dane continued his strong performance and led 11–10 at the interval. After that, Popov gained better control of the match, and a few unforced errors crept into the Dane’s game. The French favourite closed the game 21–15. In the decider, the two players were level at 7–7 before Popov once again pulled away and could celebrate a 21–15 victory.
Denmark now needed a win in the first men’s doubles — and fortunately for them, they have Europe’s top-ranked pair, as well as two of the most experienced players on the tour. The Danes defeated Eloi Adam and Leo Rossi 21–18, 21–14, meaning the fifth and final match would decide the 2026 European Men’s Team Championships title.
In that match, Mads Vestergaard and Daniel Lundgaard faced the French pair of Toma Popov and Thom Gicquel — Gicquel currently ranked world No. 5 in mixed doubles. The two don't play together usually or practice together.
Although the French players are not used to competing together in men’s doubles, they put together an impressive performance. After 40 minutes, they could let their emotions run free following a 21–19, 21–12 victory.
The entire French team and coaching staff rushed onto the court to embrace their teammates — a moment many of us will not soon forget.
A historic championship in Istanbul, Türkiye, now comes to a close, with new winners crowned in both the women’s and men’s events.
Congratulations to Bulgaria in the women’s competition and France in the men’s competition on their new titles.
It was also a milestone event for several nations: Ukraine and Türkiye claimed their first-ever women’s medals with bronze, while Sweden secured their first-ever men’s medal in the form of bronze.
