The 2012 Finnish open will feature a number of Malaysian Youngsters, therefore I'm surprised there is no thread for it. Let's see how they get on. Draws are below: http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament.aspx?id=BB7E18CD-D6D9-4581-B97B-ACFE240951CA
Tournament webpage - http://www.sulkapallo.fi/SSUL/ssulwww.nsf/sp?open&cid=foi2012en Probably the finals will be shown on Astro so looking forward to the usual vids Thx!! ... One hour will also be shown on Finnish tv so I can probably ask someone to record but conversion and upload can take a while (so I might not bother to ask since the match will probably not interest me and BE.tv will also show it)
Qualification matches are about to start now, broadcasted on bet365, bwin and badmintoneurope.tv (badmintoneurope.tv not yet running?)
Live streaming http://www.hahasport.com/v-2/18/80/v-388047.html http://www.hahasport.com/v-2/18/80/v-388077.html
Most of the Malaysian Back Up players withdrew because of the Axiata Cup, people like Misbun and Iskandar no longer in the draw (despite a decent chance of doing well) only Loh and Goh remain. And Goh had a tough start tomorrow.
After Robertson/Wallwork triumphant in Polish IC last week, WC silver medalist Adcock/Bankier also has bright chance to win here
Malaysian Juniors again proving they have the talent to cause trouble, but as usual absolutely no stamina again to get over the finish line. Rajiv Ouseph vs Goh Soon Huat 17-21 21-18 21-4
Olympic Qualifying chances for Nathan/Jenny go to 0% after their withdrawal from the draw. It is impossible for Chris/Imogen not to pick up the 4000 points here, as all pairs left rarely make it past the 1st round of a IC event...
Michelle Li's playing her 4th match today. What a schedule! 10:00am WS - beat Cicognini 21-19, 21-18 in 31 mins 12:15pm WD - Li/Bruce beat French pair 21-15, 15-21, 22-20 in 50 mins 4:00pm WS - beat Nedelcheva 21-19, 21-11 in 33 mins Currently WD - v American Wangs 21-13, 16-21, 6-3
Interesting MD to follow in the race to London with two direct competitors from ENG and RUS; ENG pair with much more room for improvement in ranking points left ... And the 3rd horse in the race has pulled out at SF stage, POL md. But only the title would improve their and RUS' points total. According to renzo.ch's page both POL and RUS are in qualifying position atm ... WR: http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/ranking/category.aspx?id=3173&category=474
Considering the problems that Michelle Li faces with Badminton, you have to admit she has improved a lot, and has the potential to cause problems for the top players.
Too bad, Michelle Li lost in a close match. LD_rules, excuse my ignorance but what are the problems ML has with badminton? (besides residing in Canada ). PS is hahasports showing this tournament today? for some reason I can't get a feed from here.
Well residing in Canada is the problem think about it, she has a lack of opportunities to spar with players of her ability and of higher ability, unlike in European and Asian countries where there would be an opportunity to train with players who are near her standard. She is by far the best player in the Pan-Am region. Also if her funding situation is the same as it is with the other Canadians, then she is in a difficult position as well, although she gets the money to go and compete abroad, it's not like other countries where there is more funding and probably better structure than in Canada. I think if she had better sparring and support she could go further, but as it is, she is only limited in what she can do. And yes, I think it will be on hahasport, but it's available on BE.tv so if you are in Europe (which I know you're not) you can watch there. I'm too busy to watch this morning though.
At least she won her WD match. She needed this badly to increase her chance of qualifying for the Olympics WD. After the 4000 ranking points gained from winning last year's Peru International have expired, this victory in Finland guarantees she and Alex Bruce will still be Pan America's #1 ranked WD team even if Eva Lee/Paula Lynn Obanana wins the 2012 Peru International. Having said that, I wish her all the best in this year's Peru International.