Denmark cemented their reputation as European heavyweights after the in-from Viktor Axelsen set them on their way to retain the European Mixed Team Championships title after a 3-0 thrashing of France.

The in-form men’s singles shuttler, who clinched two Thailand Open titles in Bangkok and made the 2020 World Tour Finals, was in the same devastating mood in Finland where the tournament took place.

Axelsen was first up against European junior champion Christo Popov, whom he dispatched 21-16, 21-12 with much ease for the lead.

Mia Blichfeldt was next up against Qi Xuefei, and despite the Chinese-French shuttler taking the lead in the second game, the Danish women’s singles caught up to eventually claim a 21-18, 21-19 victory.

Last year’s Spain Masters champions Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen were presented with the opportunity to seal the title, which they did in resounding fashion through a 21-14, 21-14 triumph over Ronan Labar and Julien Maio.

Denmark’s success means they won this mixed team event a whopping 18 times, leaving the others far behind.

A post shared by Mia Blichfeldt (@mia_blichfeldt)

England are the second most successful team with five titles.

The Danes are not only a European powerhouse, they have flexed their muscles against their Asian counterparts on a global stage too.

After decades of trying, they finally broke the Asian stranglehold at the Thomas Cup to win it in 2016.

Even on the BWF World Tour, the likes of Axelsen and Anders Antonsen are regular faces in finals.

Antonsen beat Axelsen to clinch the 2020 World Tour Finals crown, while Hans-Kristian Vittinghus surprised everyone to reach the Thai Open final 2 before losing to Axelsen.

Blichfeldt is waiting to break into the top 10 of the women’s singles as she hovers in 12th spot, while Astrup and Rasmussen are 15th in the men’s doubles.