After the European Championships just concluded in Den Bosch, Netherlands, Denmark sent out a clear signal to the Thomas Cup contenders that they were in a really good shape, with all titles taken in the men’s events and a win in the overall team competition.

Some may have said in the past that Denmark were in the process of losing some of their power amongst their fellow Europeans. Peter Gade and his team mates proved totally the opposite, when they scooped the four best seats of the men’s single event in the European Championships, held in the Netherlands, this past week-end. Peter Gade retained his title against Kenneth Jonassen, with a Bronze medal for Niels Christian Kaldau. Three known names to the Asians.

But a fourth one came up this past week : Joachim Persson, 22 year old new wonder for Denmark, who has won 4 back to back satellite tournaments in Europe, and who was undefeated until he lost in three games to his compatriot Gade in the semi final of the Championships. A clear hint that Denmark’s new generation is arising, and his mental strength seems to be his main weapon − something crucial for the new scoring system.

As he is quite unknown to the Asians, he could also be a key player in the squad, should the tie be 2/2 with a deciding match for the third single player, a spot that Persson is eager to play in, as he knows he will be up to it. His self confidence is quite strong in this new system and Denmark can field 4 players of the highest standard in the men’s single event.

But that’s not the only surprise that Denmark will come up with in Tokyo : they have planned to put back together Lars Paaske and Jonas Rasmussen to strengthen their doubles. And this is another bad news − or good news - depending which side one looks at it : The pair, who announced their breaking up last year, were the world champions in 2003 and beat most of their opponents in the last Thomas Cup.


Jens Eriksen and Martin Lundgaard, on their side, are still undefeated in 2006, and have already beaten some of the beast pairs in the world. The Danish veterans once again proved they were on top this week in Den Bosch by retaining their own title against compatriots Boe and Mogensen, who could be the ideal third pair − or second against other nations during the week.

With these two pairs added with Paaske/Rasmussen, Denmark definitely looks like one of the strongest contenders, and it could be their last chance before a while, as most of their top players are in their thirties already − Eriksen is 36 years old already.

And the other striking thing is that the Danes won it all in these European Championships, without really focusing on their competition : they all have one word in their mouth : the Thomas Cup, which they dream of winning to be the first ever European Nation to win it, after failing several times in the final.

For them, a dream final would be to play China and when looking at a potential tie between these two giants, the last confrontations show an advantage to the Danes, especially in doubles and moreover thanks to the brilliant win of Peter Gade over China’s number one Lin Dan in Chengdu earlier this year.

If Denmark sent out some impressive signs of strength from Den Bosch, some other teams showed their good form as well. In the Ladies single event, Xu Huaiwen, representing Germany, put on a real show to beat Mia Audina in the final, who acknowledged she was back at her peak form − the same one she was in to clinch silver in the Olympics. That means that both Germany and the Netherlands can count on impressive lines up for the Uber Cup. With Xu as their main player, and Grether/Schenk as their number one doubles − the latter scooped silver in Den Bosch − it will be an interesting tie to play. And Juliane Schenk proved her skills in the single event when she beat top seed Pi Hongyan in a tight quarter final.

As for the Netherlands, their win in the continental stage of the Uber Cup last February was proven legitimate once again, thanks to Mia but also to Yao Jie, who reached the semi final even if she had to retired because of the calf strain. Judith Meulendijks, on her side, will be a great third singles players, should she be chosen, as she was the closest of beating Xu during the tournament. Her injury seems long way gone now. Added with impressive potential in the doubles, the Dutch can sure shine in Tokyo.

England also showed some interesting things, with Gail Emms and Donna Kellogg getting gold in the ladies double, showing that England’s Uber Cup squad can count on a very solid pair to start with. They beat Grether/Schenk in the final.

The results of the Mixed double event may not be so important for Thomas and Uber Cup fans as this category is not represented, yet, it shows once more that Denmark is on top form, as both pairs in the final where from the Scandinavian country : Thomas Laybourn and Kamila Rytter-Juhl beat compatriots Eriksen and Mette Schjoldager.

All results of the European Championships :
http://www.eurobadminton.org