Rajiv Ouseph helped England set up a gold medal clash with Denmark ©Getty Images

England will meet defending champions Denmark in the men’s final at the European Team Badminton Championships in Kazan.

The English team were hoping to improve on their bronze medal from the 2016 event when they faced France in the semi-finals at the Kazan Gymnastics Centre.

Two years ago, France had edged England 3-2 at this stage and another closely fought encounter looked likely, following a tense opening singles match.

Rajiv Ouseph claimed the opening game 21-14, but the English player was pegged back when Brice Leverdez took the second 21-17.

Ouseph regained the momentum to win the decider 21-13.

England’s chances were then boosted when Rio 2016 men’s doubles bronze medallists Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge won triumphed 21-9, 21-17 against France’s Bastian Kersaudy and Julien Maio.

Lucas Corvee gave France hope of a comeback when he won 21-15, 21-17 against Sam Parsons in the second singles match.

That hope was extinguished when Peter Briggs and Sean Vendy won 21-16, 21-15 in their doubles clash with Thom Gicquel and Toma Junior Popov to complete a 3-1 win for England.

In a repeat of the other 2016 semi-final, Denmark once again proved too strong for Germany, with their team securing a 3-1 victory.

Carolina Marin was unable to prevent Spain from suffering a semi-final defeat ©Getty Images
Carolina Marin was unable to prevent Spain from suffering a semi-final defeat ©Getty Images

The 21-18, 21-18 loss suffered by Emil Holst to Germany’s Kai Schaefer marked the first time a Danish men’s player had been beaten in Kazan.

Danish men's team have won all six editions of the tournament and will be favourites to extend that record tomorrow.

Their women’s squad will also hope to defend their title, after they came from behind to beat hosts Russia.

Evgeniya Kosetskaya had given Russia the lead by beating Mia Blichfeldt 22-20, 15-21, 21-9 in the first singles match.

Denmark then claimed wins in the next three matches to secure their spot in the gold medal match.

Spain had looked set to better their bronze medal from two years ago when they stormed into a 2-0 lead against Germany, which included a straight games win for Olympic champion Carolina Marin.

The German team battled back to level the tie at 2-2, before Johanna Goliszewski and Carla Nelte completed a dramatic comeback by winning their doubles clash 21-13, 21-9 against Marin and Beatriz Corrales.

The tournaments are qualification events for the 2018 Thomas and Uber Cups.