France's Christo Popov is the new European men's singles badminton champion. The 24-year-old defeated Denmark's world number three, Anders Antonsen, in straight games, 21-12, 21-19, in the final on Sunday, 12 April 2026.
The victory in Madrid marks Popov's first continental title at the senior level. Entering the tournament as the seventh seed, he overcame the top-seeded Antonsen, who was the 2024 champion, in a closely contested second game to seal the match.
Popov's path to the final included a victory over his compatriot and brother, Toma Junior Popov, in the semi-finals. The win is a significant milestone in his career, moving him into the elite of European badminton.
The 2026 European Badminton Championships were held at the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid from 8 to 13 April. The event featured competitions across all five badminton disciplines.
