Spain's Marin wins European badminton championship for 4th straight time

MADRID, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Carolina Marin was crowned as European badminton champion for the fourth time in succession on Sunday after defeating Russian Evgeniya Kosetskaya 21-15, 21-7.

The 24-year-old Spaniard gave few options to Kosetskaya in the final which was played in her home town of Huelva in the Southwest Spain and where she was cheered on by a fervent home crowd.

Marin's win sees her set a new record, given that no other woman has been able to win four consecutive European titles and she can add that achievement to the Olympic gold medal and world championship that she has already won in her career.

"This is very special and it is the best game I played in the entire competition," said Marin on Spanish TV after her victory.

"When I woke up this morning, I said to myself I had to play well in front of my fans and I felt comfortable and I enjoyed it. We won the championship between us," she continued.

"When I enjoy what I am doing and have confidence in myself, everything goes well on court and this medal is for everyone," concluded Marin. Enditem