Background of the Thomas and Uber Cups

The bi-annual Thomas and Uber Cup, the world men and women team competition will be commencing in two weeks' time. This year's TC/UC will be held in GuangZhou, China, just around an hour's train ride from the city of Hong Kong.

The TC/UC are two separate competition held concurrently in the same arena, the TianHe sport complex in GuangZhou. There are six qualified country teams competiting in each competition. Each team consists of 10 players representing their country. The teams are free to choose their own representatives.

A meet between two teams consists of 5 matches. 3 of the matches are singles matches, and 2 of them are double matches.

The competition format is as follows. The six teams in each competition is first divided into 2 groups of 4. Group matches are held between all teams in the same group. The two teams that comes out on top will advance to an eliminating stage, with the number 1 team competing against the number 2 team of the other group.

The eventual victor of the elimination process will be honored with the Thomas/Uber Cup. In the TC/UC held two years ago, the TC title went to Indonesia and the UC title went to China. They are automatically enrolled in this year's competition, and no doubt, they will try their best to defend their title.

This year's competition

This year's draws are as follows:

TC:

Group A : Denmark, Korea, Sweden, China
Group B : Malaysia, Thailand, Germany, Indonesia

UC:

Group A : Denmark, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Netherlands
Group B : Korea, Japan, Germany, China

Analysis of this year's competition

Uber Cup

Let's start from the easier one first. China in recent years have been dominating the women's event. The country of the dragon has been producing female dragon like a production line. With the retirement of the older generations of champions like Ge Fei/Gu Jun, Gong Zhichao, Ye Zhaoying, Qin Yiyuan, China has quickly produced a new line of younger players, just as strong and dominating as the old. The Chinese double pairs of Gao Ling/Huang Sui and Zhang Jiwen/Wei Yili has been common sights in recent podiums, and the single players fort is held by Gong Ruina, Zhou Mi and old hands Zhang Ning and Dai Yun.

The Chinese ladies is not completely dominating in individual events, however. Foes from other countries such as Camilla Martin and Ra Kyung Min/Lee Kyung Won have successfully stolen a gold medal or two from the ever so strong Chinese squad. However, as a whole team, other countries are only excelling with individual warriors, and fails to fight strongly as a team.

There is absolutely no doubt that China will retain the Uber Cup this year, the proud Chinese head coach even proudly confirms the same thought.

The real competition will come from the 2nd place contest. Or "upsets" can be had if any country can take a point or perhaps two from the Chinese.

Strong contender for 2nd place are closely fought between Korea, Denmark and Indonesia.

Being in group B with China, Korea will likely to have little problems against Germany and Japan and be qualified for the semi-final round. However, the prospect for Indonesia and Denmark is more grim. If any of the team emerge with a 2nd place, they will be facing China in the semi-final, a certain suicide attempt resulting in no advancement to the final round. Thus Denmark and Indonesia will have to fight their best against each other for the first spot in their groups.

Between Denmark and Indonesia, Denmark may have a slight edge. Denmark single event is spearheaded by Camilla Martin, the only contender whose lone fight against the chain of Chinese women in recent competition is already a common sight. Martin has more than once came through as the victor. Indonesia on the other hand, is fighting on a grimmer note. With the retirement of Susi Susanti in the late 90s and emmigration of Mia Audina, the Indonesian lady squad is held by a couple of player who is clearly a class lower than Camilla. Even so, Camilla is a lone fighter as the rest of the Danish singles players aren't up to her standard yet.

In other words, the 2nd and 3rd single spot is quite open and only time will tell whose name will fill the winner list.

Tradition doubles powerhouse Korea also has a very strong team. Experienced Ra Kyung Min and partner Lee Kyung Won has surprised the world by taking the Japan Open title from the Chinese. They will be one strong anchor for the Koreans in their semi-final match against either Denmark or Indonesia. Little can be said about Korea's singles players and other double pairs. None of them have gone too far in international competition.

Thomas Cup

What an interesting time to be! While the Uber Cup title is pretty much just a formality, the Thomas Cup this year is probably the most uncertain in recent years. There are 5 countries which will be stronger contender for the TC. Denmark, Korea and China in group A, and Indonesia and Malaysia in group B.

The playing field is very even, each one of the country has their strong players, but yet are either grouped together with weaker or perhaps less experienced players.

Denmark has traditionally be very strong men's team. The number 1 single Peter Gade will not be competing in the TC due to knee injuries. The singles fortress is now held by Jonassen, Boesen and Rasmussen. All strong contender for points in the single matches. Most interesting is Rasmussen, who just re-emerged from a multi-year break due to injuries.

Malaysia has traditionally been a badminton powerhouse, but recent years they haven't shown much results, mostly finishing 2nd or sometimes even lower. However, hope is showing in the Malaysian squad as the top two spots in the recent Japan Open was held by Malaysian players. Top players such as Wong ChoongHann has been a disappointment lately. Adding onto that, anchoring player Lee Wan Wah has been nursing an injury and only recently resumed training. We will have to see how he will perform under the most stressful event of men's doubles.

Indonesia, the current title holder is one of the strongest contender in the field. Strong in both doubles and singles, they beat China with little effort in the last Thomas Cup final. However, Indonesia isn't without their own problems either. With the retirement of Tony Gunawan, who is now studying/coaching in the USA, the men's double squad isn't looking as strong as before. Sigit/Candra has been really strong and consistent, but recent defeat in the All England and Japan Open shows that they are not invincible. Halim, who for the nth time has lost his doubles partner again, will likely be partnering with Bambang or Trikus. Will they have enough time to learn each other's game? On the singles side, Taufik, after more than a year's fight with the PBSI officials, has finally came out of exile and will be competing. With so few competitions for the past year, will youth and talent prevail? Hendrawan, the reigning world champion has been struggle lately as well. with age not on his side and his difficulty with coping with the 5x7 system, he hasn't been showing much results lately.

In contrast to the ladies team, the Chinese men's team is comparatively weak. China hasn't produced any strong doubles pairing for nearly a decade now. This has been the biggest headache of the current head coach Li Yongbo, who in his heydays in the last 80s has captured the men double world championship. To make matter worse, Zhang Wei of the top Chinese pair twisted his ankle in a recent competition. Still unable to practice, the chance that he will compete in two week's time is getting slimmer everyday. Chinese hope however, is being held by their gang of single players. Dominating 4 out of the top 5 spots in the world rankings, Li is definitely banking of them to recapture the most hoped for Thomas Cup. The 5x7 system has help Xia tremendously in recently months, capturing a few big tournament titles. Youngsters Bao Chunlai and Lin Dan are gradually gaining the neccessary experience, but can they hold their composure in such an important team event, when the honor of their country is at stake? Injuries seems to be everywhere lately, the secret weapon Chen Hong, who has been securing hold the 3rd singles spot is also nursing an injury, being much more experienced in team competition and has been in top form recently winning the AE, Chen's injury perhaps poses the biggest problem for the Chinese. Chinese head coach Li put China's chances at 45%, I can't help but wonder if he is being optimistic?

Korea is perhaps the dark horse of the competition. Korea has traditionally been a powerhouse in doubles, their pairing of Kim/Ha after many month's gap, is now in great form. Lee/Yoo is also a very strong pair, posing a great threat to strong double countries like Indonesia. The secret of the Koreans however, may come in the form of their singles players. Lee Hyun Il shocked the world last year by fighting his way in the final of the Japan Open, this year, he took the last step and took the title away from Xia of China. This rung a really loud bell for the other countries. Korea is no longer a double only team. They are just as capable of competing in the single event. The team managers will be pulling their hair off trying to deal with the Koreans.

The grouping of the TC also plays a major factor. With Indonesia and Malaysia in one group, they for sure will advance to the semi-final round. With perhaps Indonesia has a higher chance with a top spot. Group B has Korea, China and Denmark, which will be a very interesting mix of matches. Any two of them can the ability to advance, and all of them will definitely prefer to face Malaysia than Indonesia.

As can been seen, each of the 5 countries has a good chance of bringing back the Thomas Cup. A prediction at this point will be impossible. We will find out in two weeks' time.