Lucky he or she, who can point out the future winner of the Thomas Cup. This year, just like for the other editions, it will be a close fight between the top nations in Asia and Europe, most likely. China holds the title after a close battle over Denmark in the final in 2004 in Jakarta, and if both teams will be once against amongst the favourites, others will be there to defy them... Let's take a quick look at who could be the potential threats...even if none of them have yet qualified from the early rounds of continental stages (only China as the title holders and Japan as the hosts)

4 teams are today the main challengers for the title : China, the title holders, Denmark, Malaysia, and Indonesia. This is no surprise to see these four countries back in 2004, in Guangzhou, who had been the last four remaining in the competition. They could very well repeat fate in Tokyo this year, with for each, some good reason to believe they have their spot in this quatuor.

China, title holders, have never looked stronger. The men's single event may even cause problem for Li Yongbo for his selection, as no less than 6 players are up to the job, with Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai, Chen Hong, who have been the most regular of the Chinese in the past few months. Yet Xia Xuanze, 2003 world champion, has proven recently that he was back in form with a final in Switzerland. And his experience has always proven its worth in team competition. Not to mention Chen Yu, very solid and Chen Jin, the new kid on the Beijing block, who has stunned the world of badminton by his speed and stamina at only 19. The tough choice however could be a blessing when it comes to take turns in the team and allow some of the key players to rest for the later stages.This will definitely be one of China's main strength. The only doubt was few years ago the men's double event, where China seemed to have difficulties to find the right pair for such important team competitions. Now that Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng are playing together at the highest level, this fear seem to vanish as the duo shows strong signs of confidence and in spite of their recent poor outing during the All England. They also hold the fastest smash on earth with Fu Haifeng's 332 km/h. The second pair for China - if this fifth point is ever needed - could be given by Xie and Guo, who have been progressing a lot together. Xie Zhongbo is obviously the man to watch in the Chinese double, with an impressive body and mental strength which saw him clinch silver in the mixed double event in the World Championships last year.

For Europe, the main hope will come from Denmark, who are yet to win this event. For the third time, the Scandinavian are being told by their own fans and medias that this could be “their" year, with a bunch of players who will obviously be participating in their last Thomas Cup. This is the case of Jens Eriksen, the giant who is having a blessed end of career, with a recent second title in the Prestigious All England with his partner Martin Lundgaard. The experienced duo - both over 32 years old could play a key role in their team, with a leading part and some mind games they only have the secret to, in order to influence their younger opponents. The second pair for Denmark won't be as easy to find as the previous years, where 2 pairs were outstanding in the team. With the recent split of Rasmussen and Paaske - World Champions in 2003 - it is now 3 other pairs who could make the trip to Tokyo. Either the combination of Paaske and Laybourn, or Rasmussen and Steffensen, but also a pair of younger players, Boe and Mogensen, who have proven their worth on many occasion but who haven't been competing in such big events. The men's single event for Denmark will be as strong, led by in form Gade and closely followed by his friend Kenneth Jonassen and probably Kaldau as a third striker; with other options on the side (the selection has not yet been done). This combination of very experienced singles and double players could very well bring Europe it's first ever title...

Indonesia, as always, will rely on a pack of hungry fighters, as the Thomas Cup is definitely one of their main interest. They were deprived from the crown at home, two years ago, and will be eager to show their strength. There are question marks, however, over their form, with recent results who do not play in their favour. Sony Dwi Kuncoro has been injured for a long time and struggles to come back at his peak, while Taufik Hidayat, world and Olympic Champion, has given no sign of his talent lately as he skipped all tournaments to prepare for his wedding which occurred on February 4th. But as always, the Indonesian wonder can find the spirit to beat everyone on earth and he will play a big role in Tokyo. Simon Santoso, the probable third shuttler to be sent for the win could have a big weight on his shoulder, should the fifth and deciding point be played.The strength of Indonesia, however and as always, will remain their men's double : Sigit Budiarto and Candra Wijaya are back together for the best with a well deserved first spot on the world ranking. Their compatriots Alven and Luluk are not far behind and could play the ideal second pair in any challenge, as the probable best "second knives" in the planet. And is it wasn't enough, two other pairs can be sent to Tokyo with the potentially same chance to beat all opponents, in the name of Kido/Setiawan or Limpele/Hian, both pairs still in the top 15 in the world.... Needless to say that Indonesia will be one of the teams to watch. But they'll have to play a tricky qualifying match against Thailand before boarding the plane for Japan...

Malaysia could be the fourth main contestant to the final win, with an impressive line up of players, in both singles and double events, and with the widest variety of shuttlers, both young and experienced. Lee Chong Wei, of course, will be leading the path but he won't be alone to be a threat for their opponents, as Wong Choong Hann, Hafiz Hashim and Kuan Beng Hong for instance could play an important role with, for each, the ability on good days to beat any player in the world. And their doubles seem on top form too after they qualified 3 doubles in the last four during the most prestigious Grand Prix event, few weeks ago in the All England, with an impressive victory over Indonesians and Chinese' best pairs. Lee Wan Wah and Chong Tan Fook, then Chan Chong Ming and Koo Kien Keat will be the leading pairs, but will be backed up by some of their younger compatriots who seem just as talented and less known, which could be taken as a hidden weapon. Malaysia, in the past, have stunned their opponents in this competition which brings the best out of them...

Korea could easily have been put in the main favourites for the win, as they have often proven their worth in team events; However, the recent retirement from their key players in the double event brings some questions about their ability to make it to the top with very young players in this key event. With Kim Dong Moon and Ha Tae Kwon out of the picture, Lee Dong Soo and Yoo Yong Sung as well, all hopes relied all of a sudden on the new pair Lee Jae Jin and Jung Jae Sung. After a very good start together, they were split with two new partners. This could be a good bet as they could bring some new partners to a higher level, as it happened for Jung and Lee Yong Dae who scooped together the German Open title. In the men's single, Lee Hyun Il has proven he seem to be back on top of his game with a recent final at the All England - the first time ever for a Korean player, yet his compatriots Shon Seung Mo and Park Sung Hwan are yet to prove their form of 2004, where Shon had scooped Silver in Athens. Beware, however, of Koreans, who have amongst the bigger amount of young and talented players even if they are not sent out systematically abroad. They are the strongest challengers for the top four, no questions asked.

Thailand, England and Germany could also play an important part in the Thomas Cup finals, but they have to qualify first, which might prove difficult for Thailand, who were drawn in a very tough group with Indonesia. If they qualify, however, it will mean that Indonesia will not participate, and give an extra room for them to play for a medal. They will be led by their stunning young talent Ponsana and the pair Prapakamol/Ngernsrisuk. The English, on their side, have always had a weakness in men's single which once again could prove them wrong in the European qualifying stage in Greece, but their strong men's double Blair/Clark with Simon Archer as a special guest could pull the trick along with Ghaffar's good grip in the singles.Germany is by tradition one of the strongest nations in Europe and should be able to qualify, even if one of their top shuttlers, Marc Zwiebler is out with a back injury. They will rely on Bjoern Joppien, their soft spoken giant and the recently crown national champions Hopp and Kindervater in the double to do the job in the land of the Olympics to clinch their ticket for Japan. Last, but not least, India, Hong Kong and Singapore will fight for a spot in the final stage as they were all drawn into the same qualifying group. The one getting out of this “group of death" could be a threat to the best. The USA on their side, depending on who they can field, could come to Japan with some tricky matches with a certain Tony Gunawan on their side...Not to mention Japan, of course, who are qualified as guests, and who could surprise everyone thanks to their supporting public at home...

All other teams will be hoping to qualify for the final stage - this will be the main target for all those weaker teams, and we will present them to you when all the qualifying rounds are over.