For the first time since the tournament’s inception in 1968, Hungary and Croatia will be represented on the European Championships podium.
First, women’s singles player Vivien Sandorhazi defeated Clara Azurmendi 21-11 19-21 21-13 to book her spot in tomorrow’s semifinal before Aria Dinata followed suit with a hard-fought 13-21 21-18 21-19 win over Finn Joakim Oldorf in men’s singles.
Sandorhazi, who now faces third seed Kirsty Gilmour, reflected: “I told myself ‘don’t think about the medal, don’t think about the medal’ but I couldn’t stop. I’m so happy, it’s one of my career’s main goals. I’m glad Hungary’s first-ever medal is mine.”
For Dinata, who is originally from Indonesia and moved to Croatia three years ago, this semifinal appearance marks the biggest achievement of his young career.
“It was amazing. I’ve never played in such big halls, usually I’m in the Future or International Series,” said the 21-year-old.
Looking ahead to his clash with world No. 19 Toma Junior Popov, he added: “Let’s bring it. I’m always ready for a challenge. I’m not afraid of it.”
The men’s singles podium however, will not have a Danish player for the first time in tournament history following Magnus Johannesen’s 21-14 21-14 defeat to Toma’s younger brother Christo. Anders Antonsen had earlier pulled out due to illness while Rasmus Gemke twisted his ankle in the last 16 match against Oldorff.
Meanwhile, their compatriot Sara Thygesen brought her career to a close following a 21-14 21-9 women’s doubles semifinal loss to four-time gold medallists Stefani and Gabriela Stoeva.
Thygesen ends her European Championships journey with five bronze medals – four of them with longtime partner Maiken Fruergaard – and a mixed doubles silver in 2016 with Niclas Nohr.
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