While Rasmus Gemke won in 3 sets against Christo Popov in the final of the European Men’s Team Championships a few weeks earlier, the scenario was completely different this Sunday, in Germany.
Precise in his attacks, the Frenchman started the match well, gaining the advantage over his opponent to lead up to 15/7. A burst of pride from the Dane brought it back to 19/17, but the Habs, straight in their game plan, remained in control (21/17).
Christo then continued to play his game and let his talent shine. Disconcertingly easy, the Fosséen sometimes showed skill, sometimes patience, to maintain a comfortable lead throughout the second set. While the match seemed to be over (19/11), Rasmus GEMKE went on the offensive to return to 19/16. It was without counting on Christo, eager for a first title on the BWF World Tour, who made the Dane falter in this final straight, 21/17 21/16. “I’m really very, very happy to have won,” the young Frenchman savored after his success. “I managed to gain the upper hand in both sets. I was always ahead in the score especially in the 2nd. Like at the European Championships, I got ahead but he came back a little wanting to break the rhythm and the strategy. I worked hard to take it away. I proved that I was above it this week,” concluded the Frenchman after his coronation.
This trophy and this journey in Germany earn Christo valuable points in the race for Olympic qualification and now places him ahead of his older brother, Toma Junior Popov, in the “Race to Paris”.
This victory bodes very well for the younger Popov, at the dawn of the Yonex French Open Badminton in Paris, which will begin Tuesday March 5 at the adidas arena. Le Fosseen will play his first round against Shi Yu Qi (n°2, China) on Wednesday. A major challenge.
