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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS - Denmark or Not Denmark ?







The european team championships kicks off in Liverpool today, with high expectations from the local English team, as Denmark has not sent its full squad.

Raphael Sachetat, photos (archives) : Badmintonphoto.com

Peter Gade, and the Pair of Ramsussen/Paaske are not in Liverpool. The rest of the Danish squad (photo) however, supposed to be landing in Liverpool today, is likely to still take the crown for the fifth consecutive time. Joachim Persson, Tine Rasmussen, Boe/Mogensen, Laybourn/Rytter-Juhl should provide their team mates with enough experience to bag the title they had once again clinched at home in Herning, last year.

But England, the second seeds, will have in mind to shine at home with players just as experienced and the home advantage. And end the 25 years title drought - they had won last in Preston, in 1984. The English, however, have a tricky first half of the week as their group matches will see them face their daily training partners as they face Scotland and Wales on top of the Czech Republic.

If England and Denmark are set to meet in the final, no less than 36 countries will fight during the first three days to top their groups and enter the quarter final stage on Friday.

Germany, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia, France and Poland are the other seeds and should make it to that stage, with expected confrontations between France and Denmark, Poland and Netherlands, Enland Vs Ukraine and Germany Vs Russia.

It is the first time that the team event has been split from the individual event which will be held in 2010 in Manchester. The Asian Badminton Championships will be held in Suwon, Korea, next April.

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