Scotland Team selected for European Finals

Badminton Scotland today confirmed the squad to contest the European Mixed Team Championships finals from 16-20 February.

A 10-strong squad will travel to Vantaa, Finland, where the Scots will face a daunting task, having been drawn in the same group as reigning champions Denmark.

The Danes have dominated the biennial event in recent years and have been champions since 2015 while Germany, champions in 2013, are also in Group 1 along with hosts Finland.

But the Scots can go into battle full of confidence having toppled seeds Spain in the qualification stages last month.

Despite Kirsty Gilmour being unable to complete her women’s singles due to injury, Scotland claimed a famous victory over the Spaniards in large part thanks to the heroics of Julie MacPherson and Ciara Torrance, who brought Scotland back from the brink of defeat to level the tie 2-2 before Adam Hall and Chris Grimley won the deciding men’s doubles.

Gilmour will unfortunately not recover in time for the finals but the core of the team is the same as the one which secured qualification, bolstered by the addition of Matthew Grimley, Eleanor O’Donnell and Rachel Sugden.

Scotland will face Germany in the opening match on Tuesday 16 February. Finland are the opponents on 17 February before the Danish tie the following day, with the top two teams going through to the knock-out semi-finals.

Group 2 features England, France, Netherlands and Russia.

The full squad is:

Joshua Apiliga, 19, Glasgow, 2 international caps

Chris Grimley, 20, Glasgow, 7 caps

Matthew Grimley, 20, Glasgow, 3 caps

Adam Hall, 24, Mauchline, 17 caps

Julie MacPherson, 23, Edinburgh, 24 caps

Holly Newall, 22, Mauchline, 8 caps

Eleanor O’Donnell, 22, Beith,17 caps

Ciar Pringle, 21, Giffnock, 2 caps

Rachel Sugden, 19, Alexandria, 6 caps

Ciara Torrance, 21, Paisley, 10 caps