MADRID, 11 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish badminton player Carolina Marín beat the Bulgarian Kaloyana Nalbantova with authority in two games (21-14 and 21-12) to advance steadily to the quarterfinals of the European Championship, which is being held in Saarbrücken (Germany).
Marín, who also defeated Scotland’s Rachel Sugden in two games (21-6 and 21-7) in her debut in the tournament, continues without hesitation on her path to her seventh continental crown, after winning the previous six – -the last one in 2022 in Madrid–.
The 2016 Olympic champion maintained the pace in this second match, in which the Bulgarian, world number 84, was a somewhat tougher obstacle, although not enough to raise doubts in the Huelva native. As against the Scotswoman, her start was decisive, with a 5-0 run.
This first game continued calmly, until a strong shot was needed to stop Nalbantova’s momentum, which came within three points (15-12). From there, another 6-2 run to close the first set 21-14.
The Bulgarian proposed more in the second game, even taking the lead (3-0). problems (21-12).
Marín will face the French Leonice Huet, number 70 in the world ranking, in the quarterfinals. The gala she defeated (21-14 and 21-16) the Polish Wiktoria Dabczynska, although she arrives with less burden to the match, since she did not play in the round of 16 duel due to the loss of her opponent.
Furthermore, the tournament left a negative note, after the Spanish men’s doubles formed by Rubén García and Carlos Piris said goodbye to the European Championship in the round of 16, after losing 21-17 and 21-15 against the Danish duo made up of Rasmus Kjær and Frederik Sogaard.