Best match I didn't watch that many matches, but of the few I have seen, this is the best match: Peter Gade v Lin Dan Both players were near their best. Gade basically followed on from his good performance against Lee CW (another candidate for best match). I felt Lin Dan was not tip-top against Taufik, but came out blazing against Gade. A pity it didn't go to the third set. followed by: Zhang Ning v Mia Audina Tjiptawan What a match! Mia must have played to her extreme. A tribute to Zhang who held on until the very end, especially when she was overtaken by Mia in the rubber set. I believe Xie XF (or any other women for that matter) would have lost to Mia that day. Officiating What's with the yellow and red cards for Chan Chong Ming and Jens Eriksen? Are they trying to stamp out passion there. Even more surprising, a yellow card for Zhang Ning? It was, frankly, embarrasing. Most dramatic match Chan/Koo v Eriksen/Lundgaard Hansen Nobody expected the Malaysians to even trouble the great Danes. But in a reversal of common sense, it was the vastly experienced Danes (especially Jens) who crumbled under pressure. What a great second set. If there is one good argument for the 21-point rally system, it is the 30-28 second game win by the Danes. It was like volleyball; serve, drop, lift, smash, weak return, smash, point, service over, repeat... Most disheartening fact Nobody managed to win a single point against China in both Thomas and Uber Cups. Most saddening image That of Wong Choong Hann limping out of the match with a brave front.
nice post, op. I love the Zhang Ning vs. Mia match a lot. These 2 ladies play each other for over 10 years and are still in their best shape. amazing
really feel like complainig against the indian referee should be able to see very CLEAR that he's against malaysian team, esp chong ming although the danes was given a yellow & red card too even the danes said the referee is weird maybe he thought that it's a waste not to use up the cards !!
Don't think the referee was biased towards the Malaysians but agree with you the red cards were unwarranted.
OMG the match was definitely dramatic. I was watching with the girls from my dorm. the TV room was so full but quiet bcoz everyone was nervous.and everyone was gasping each time they play near the net. we were so nervous. but when MAS won we definitely went hysterical
Well it is true...and imagine you need more than a single point to snatch the Cups from them...one is already so difficult, try wonder about THREE !!!!!
I agreed with you. Although Malaysia lost, but this match keeps being the talks among the badminton fans. Haha..I'm watching this match alone at my house kitchen. By that time, I just made a jug of hot tea.. Everytime one of the team earns a score, I keep drinking the tea from my mug. I am soo nervous.After the match ends, I told my mum that I was soo full with tea LOL.The next day, my friend told me she keeps going to the bathroom bcuz she, too, toooo nervous. And it was stupid school and exams that I missed most of the best match.. T_T
Is this the same Indian referee who gave Lin Dan the yellow card in the 2004 Thomas Cup? That guy was so uppity. He even warned Lin Dan for shaking his fist after winning rallies!
I felt the match between LCW & PG was a little better as it was more fast-paced than the one between PG & LD.
Wow no one even got a point against either china team... thats dominance and amazing preparation right there. LYB... the best coach ever? Is this the most dominant performance for TU cup ever? I wouldn't be surprised
Also some firsts, for the first time in Denmark's history the thomas Cup was actually broadcast live on Danish TV. Also unnoticed by many a new talent in Joachim Personn (not the Swedish TT player) was intorduced. THis Personn is as tall as Gade and plays like Poul Erik Hoyer Larsenn.
My friend Dennis who was the Chief Referee was like *sigh* here he goes again to the Indian Referee when he issue the cards during the Msia vs Denmark. Well of course he have to be professional about it.
The interesting bit is: Zhang Ning and Mia play their first Uber in 1994 and met in final where that time Mia won in rubber set and help Indonesia win over China 3-2. And after 12 years, they meet again in final, both as first singles now and this was probably their last performance in Uber Cup. This time Zhang Ning had her long over due revenge by winning 3 sets also. What a match. Note: I don't think ZN will play in Uber 2008. But who knows? She is already the oldest number one Women Singles right now, probably she cared to made another record to play till Olympiade 2008? MIa won't compete in Uber Cup 2008 cause its play in Indonesia. Guess Netherland had to banking on Yao Jie, Judith and Karina.
For Thomas Cup only Best MS Match: Peter Gade vs Lee Chong Wei -- both players were on-form and played well that day and Peter managed to take the game because LCW could not take the initiative and win the last 3 pts in each set. They really gave their very best. Worst MS Match: Lin Dan vs Taufik Hidayat -- Taufik only managing to cope till he reached 12 pts in the first set. Thereafter, Taufik simply couldn't give any resistance and Lin Dan ripped him apart easily. Unfortunate for Taufik and Team Indonesia. Best MD Match: Chan Choong Ming/Koo Kien Keat vs Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen -- you can say its the best match of the entire tournamet! Plenty of dramas...cards were flashed to both teams.....both players and coaches getting agitated...unbelievable support....it all contributed to making this match the best of the Thomas Cup Finals 2006. I would certainly want to watch the second set over and over again....the first time ever a set reached the magical 30 points. Worst MD Match: Err...so far none. Best MS Player: Lin Dan with Bao Chunlai a close second. Best MD Pair: The fast and furious Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun Most Inconsistent MD Pair: Chan Choong Ming/Koo Kien Keat -- from zero in the match against Korea to hero in the match against Denmark. Biggest Disappointment: Taufik Hidayat; Candra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto; Kuan Beng Hong Most Unfortunate Incident: Wong Choong Hann's freak injury Most "Hated" Official: Certainly the umpire in the match between CCM/KKK and Eriksen/Hansen
I would rather rank LWW/CTF as the best MD pair this time. No doubt that FU/Cai were good too but LWW/CTF played under tremendous pressure in quarter- and semi-final when MAS was lagging behind 1-2 and they managed to won the crucial points. They didn't even boast abt their win and contributed their win to the team spirit and support from their teammates.Both of them asked the fans not to blame on the single players too. So, personally i think that they are the best MD pair in this thomas cup, considering different aspects, such as skills, spirit and attitude.
Hmm, i would say the (21x3)scoring system had quite a bit to do with the exciting/extended finish. It probably won't happen using the old 15x3 S.S. I mean, imagine the score kept on going and going til 30 pts. Unlike before, using the "old"(15x3) scoring system, the game will end after a set is made...
Hasn't she had enough revenges already? I mean, it's ok that she won this time, but then couldn't she let Mia win the Olympic final? Please explain? Has she stated that she won't play in her former home country? Well, I don't think Karien will continue, as she has actually quited before and was asked to play the Uber Cup for the team's sake (correct me if I'm wrong). Probably the team will be Jie, Judith and Rachel. Too bad btw, I somehow admire Karina's agressive attitude. Not bad either, being the former number 10 of the world.
Yes, Mia had stated that she won't play in Uber Cup 2008. She also didn't play in Uber Cup 2004 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
