China, Indonesia and Denmark Three-Horse Run in Thomas/Uber Cup

With Indonesia and China made successful runs to reign the trophies of the Thomas and Uber Cup Final respectively, and Denmark storming into the semi-finals on both lines, the world badminton team championships presented a three-horse dance in the new millennium.

Indonesia ended up China's doubles hopes by winning the Thomas Cup for men for the fourth time in straight, hammering China 3-0 in Sunday's final, while China's overwhelming women's team pocketed the Uber Cup title at will on the same score over Denmark. It is also a tremendous triumph for the Danes, who carried on the massive hopes from Europe to occupy among the elite of the sport, as the European champions made the Thomas Cup semi-final and a historical Uber Cup final.

Tagged as the most all-round squad in the most close matchups of the past decade in the Thomas Cup, Indonesia outlasted a horde of title-contenders like China, Denmark, South Korea and the hosts Malaysia, to replay their four-time winning streak in the 70s.

Facing biggest-ever challenge from China in 90s, the 12-time champions Indonesia had the sky opened up when world number two shuttler Hendrawan surprised Chinese Xia Xuanze in the first game in the final, before cruising to an unexpected 3-0 thrash on Sunday at the Putra Stadium here.

"Our players had a great personal-improvements during the tournament," said Indonesian coach Sumaryono Hadi Nasri. "They played better after each game, and I knew they would give out their bests in the final."

China were expected to take at least one singles before surrendered the trophy, which parred them for 10 years after they picked up a double in 1990, but the Chinese youngsters failed to transmit their debuts into a memorial victory.

Chinese coach Li Yongbo said: "Indonesia are a better team than us in experiences, and I'm satisfied that my team has made the first final since 1990."

But the Chinese women team proved they were unmatchable and could be of a class of their own for at least next one or two versions of the Uber Cup. The conqueresses ran an unbeaten record by winning 21 games straightly and surrendered just one set in the competition, with the final serving only as a display of their unquestionable domination.

During the span from 1984-1992, China won five Uber Cup title in row, and they are expected to reinstate the crown for the decade.

"China will keep their domination in the next ten years," said Danish coach Kenneth Larsen after Saturday's lop-sided loss. "They are at the higher level than the others." Larsen said their campaigns for the next Uber Cup was to dwindle the gap to the Chinese as much as possible.

However, he could not be more happier as the Danes executed the European pride into the premier badminton competition, which was conquered by the Asians since it set off. Though still seeking for the first victory in the Cups for Europe, Denmark delivered their voices to be in the first class of the biannual event.

"It's a big success for the Danish badminton to make both semi- finals in the tournament," Larsen said. With the best hope for both the Europeans and the Asians, there are another two years for them to continue their continental rivalry.



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