Badminton European Championships: Finland’s medal hope got an ugly exit in the opening match of the European Championships

Finland badminton ace Joakim Oldorff was very disappointed in the European Championship of the sport in Huelva, Spain on Tuesday.

Two years ago, the EC bronze medalist lost to Scotland Callum Smithille with dull points of 13–21, 9–21 in the opening round of men’s singles.

Oldorff, 23, went into the match as a huge early favorite, as he is 242 places higher than the 24-year-old Smith in the world rankings.

So there are only a few Finnish men left Kalle Koljonenwho went directly to the second round from the draw.

Left-handed Koljonen, 32, took Finland’s first individual prize medal in badminton with his 2021 EC bronze.

Koljonen and Oldorff have been fighting for the position of Finland’s number one player in recent years.

In January, the SC title went to Oldorff, who has been chosen as badminton player of the year twice in a row. He can be found at number 50 in the world list, while Koljonen is breathing down his neck three places lower.

of the Games however, the second day continued cheerfully in Finnish terms: Petra Saarnivaara turned a disappointing opening set into a win over Slovakia Natalia Slobodova against in women’s singles.

The Finn’s winning scores were 27–29, 21–15, 21–13.

Saarnivaara will face France in the second round Anna Tatranovan.