Stefani Stoeva and Gabriela Stoeva are European champions for the fifth time.
The Bulgarian sisters sealed the title with a controlled 21-11 21-17 win over Bengisu Erçetin/Nazlıcan İnci at the 2026 European Championships. For the Turkish shuttlers, it is the best result of their careers following their bronze medal finish in 2024.
The Stoevas were untouchable all week in Huelva. Before the final, no opponents had managed more than 14 points in a game.
An elated Stefani said: “After the team title (European Women’s Team Championships in February), this was our main goal. It’s really amazing we can share these moments together. We’ve had our bad moments but they’ve been a lesson for us. We learned so much from that and it made us work harder and play as one.”
With their fifth crown, the Stoevas become the most successful women’s pair in event history, moving clear of Kamilla Rytter Juhl/Christina Pedersen, who won four titles between 2012 and 2017.
Danes Break New Ground
First-time European champions Mathias Christiansen/Alexandra BØje delivered a statement week at the Palacio de los Deportes Carolina Marin (Carolina Marin Sports Palace).
The No.2 seeds did not drop a game throughout the tournament, combining control with sharp execution when it mattered most.
Facing one of the standout fairytale runs of the week in the final – Callum Hemming/Estelle Van Leeuwen had outmanoeuvred top seeds Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue, then reigning champions Jesper Toft/Amalie Magelund – Christiansen/Bøje got their tactics right to win 21-19 21-14.
For Christiansen, it is a sixth European medal and his first gold.
Sunday will see three finals take place.
Dane Anders Antonsen faces Frenchman Christo Popov for the crown after ousting Arnaud Merkle 21-18 21-13. Ben Lane/Sean Vendy defeated Daniel Lundgaard/Mads Vestergaard 21-19 21-17 to set up their maiden European final. The English duo came away with bronze medals from the previous two editions and will challenge Christo and his elder brother Toma Junior Popov.
Kirsty Gilmour is into her sixth European final after defeating Neslihan Arin 16-21 21-14 21-11 and faces reigning champion Line Kjærsfeldt in a repeat of the 2025 final.
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Boje and Christiansen celebrate becoming European champions.
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