The action begins tomorrow as the 2026 European Men’s & Women’s Team Championships get underway in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Eight men’s teams and eight women’s teams will battle for the medals, with the new European champions set to be crowned on Sunday, 15 February.

On the men’s side, Denmark have won all nine previous editions of the tournament and enter once again as the top seed. But if you ask Christo Popov, this could be the year Denmark’s reign comes to an end.

“From my point of view, we are the favourites. And I think they (Denmark) are going to be the team that is feeling the pressure, because they are the champions, reigning champions for many years.”

While Denmark and France are seen as the two main favourites, Popov is also clear that the group stage must be taken seriously, and that the team needs to perform well from the very start.

Should France make it through the group stage, reach the final, and even take gold, it would mean a great deal to the French star.

“I think if we get this gold medal, it’s going to be huge, not only for the fans, but also for us as a team. Since I was very young, I have been watching the French team, and every time Denmark was closing the gates and winning.”

Although Popov believes this could be the year France goes all the way, he also sees strong potential for the team in the future.

“I think we are having a good team, not only a good team, but a young good team which can also evolve and be better in the next years.”

Whether this will be the year Denmark steps down from the top of the podium will be decided over the coming five days.

The first matches start tomorrow at 08:30 CET, and remember that all matches can be watched live and free on BadmintonEurope.tv.