Europe’s last hope at the 2025 Sudirman Cup, Denmark, stepped into the quarterfinals with determination as they faced powerhouse Korea in Xiamen.

Strong Start from Korea in Mixed Doubles
The tie opened with mixed doubles, where European champions Jesper Toft / Amalie Magelund faced the formidable challenge of reigning world champions Seo Seung Jae / Chae Yu Jung. The Danes showed promise early, even holding a lead in the first game, but the Korean duo ultimately edged ahead 21-17 and followed up with a more controlled 21-13 win to give Korea the early advantage.

An Se Young Dominates in Women’s Singles
Next on court was the women’s singles clash between Olympic and world champion An Se Young and Denmark’s Line Kjærsfeldt. The Korean star, and self-declared “Queen of Badminton,” delivered a commanding performance, securing a one-sided 21-8, 21-7 victory and extending Korea’s lead to 2-0.

Antonsen Keeps Denmark in the Fight
Anders Antonsen gave Denmark a lifeline in the men’s singles, where he battled Jeon Hyeok Jin in one of the closest contests of the day. Antonsen took the opening game before Jeon levelled the match with a narrow 22-20 win in the second. In the decider, Antonsen found another gear, putting together a crucial seven-point streak to clinch the third game and keep Denmark’s hopes alive.

Korean Women’s Doubles Seals the Deal
In the final match of the tie, Danish duo Alexandra Bøje / Natasja P. Anthonisen faced Korea’s Baek Ha Na / Lee So Hee. Much like the women’s singles earlier, it was a one-sided affair. The Korean pair proved dominant from start to finish, giving the Danes little room to maneuver and wrapping up the match convincingly to secure Korea’s place in the semifinals.

Denmark Misses Key Players in Quarterfinal Exit
It was a disappointing end to Denmark’s Sudirman Cup journey, especially with the absence of key players such as Viktor Axelsen and Mia Blichfeldt. Still, the team showed resilience, particularly through Antonsen’s spirited win.

Korea to Face Indonesia in the Semifinals
Korea now advances to the semifinals, where they will face Indonesia tomorrow at 11:00 CEST.

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