30 June, 2023
Ben Lane and Sean Vendy will go for European Games gold on Saturday after a stylish display saw them reach Saturday’s final in Krakow.
The second seeds are still yet to drop a game at the event, easing past French duo Toma Junior and Christo Popov 21-15 21-14 to reach the final
Adam Dunn and Alexander Hall will take home a bronze medal, after they were defeated in their men’s doubles semi-final.
The pair were beaten 21-13 16-21 21-10 by Danish top seeds Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, who now face Lane and Vendy in a blockbuster final.
Elsewhere, Kirsty Gilmour fought back to secure her place in the semi-finals of the women’s singles, as she got past third seed Line Hoejmark Kjaersfeldt 16-21 21-11 21-19 to guarantee herself a medal.
Gilmour found herself a game down but hauled herself back into the contest to clinch the second game before edging out the third to set up a final four fixture with Spain’s top seed Carolina Marin.
#EuropeanGames2023 | Two more medals secured. Onwards 💪🏼🔥
Tune in at 5pm (BST) to watch 🇬🇧 Lane/Vendy and 🇬🇧 Dunn/Hall in the Men’s Doubles semifinals.
Come on Team GB! 🇬🇧
📲 https://t.co/PdOoxcs8kY @badmintonscot @teamgb pic.twitter.com/v42cCTGC4d— Badminton England (@BadmintonEnglnd) June 30, 2023
“That was one word – tough!” said Gilmour. “Yesterday I’m not going to lie I was really nervous, more nervous than I’ve felt in a long time.
“I think yesterday’s game to some people may seem a bit shaky but to me it was like a calming down and that put me in a good place to absolutely know I could battle through this one.
“I played some really good badminton today, I figured out a lot of things and I touched a level that I don’t think I’ve touched consistently for a long time. I’m so happy to come through that one and just never count me out.”
There was also victory in the mixed doubles for defending champions Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith after they beat home duo Pawel Smilowski and Magdalena Swierczynska 21-8 21-16.
The pair have now guaranteed themselves at least a bronze medal, but will fight for a chance to earn gold or silver against France’s Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue on Saturday.
