demolidor, just like in english footie, home games is where FC rein in the most wins and away games is where stealing a win is nice, you really think by not doing well enough (at least one medal in each event), it will spearhead the budgeting committee to think farther ahead? UK Sport offers sports funding for a number of podium [i.e. top-tier] and development [second-tier] athletes - but you don't have to fill those places," The highlighted phrase pretty much underlines the plans for RIO if they fail miserably at home.
Yep - she was the steady one, and she had the right attitude at the net (i.e. not blocking every time, and not being afraid to get in Zhao's face). Had they met Xu/Ma, as they should have, I doubt they would have taken anywhere near as many points off them, though. Adcock got jittery, agreed, but his shot selection and patience I found impressive all week, especially for such a young lad (says me at 28). I can see them being at least in the frame for a bronze next year, but it'll take a lot of work (and that's assuming China doesn't play musical chairs and come up with another three or four pairs in the meantime).
Indeed, should be a huge budget drop afer London (they've only gotten the extra budget cause it's in London). Can it actually even drop after the Beijing performance?? But even then it might/should still be the biggest budget of any badminton federation in Europe. The one medal goal is overall (and I don't see that happening but you never know apparently haha)
Based on this week, Adcock/Bankier for bronze is the only feasible possibility for this medal. If the Chinese have pairs in both sides of the draw... game over.
So it clean sweep again. No need to say that the CHN players overwhealming their opponents in almost every single aspect (especially mentally) in the later stage of the championship. Yes the rest of the world is catching up but not yet enough to stop them to grab it all.
One medal is the maximum expectation even. Minimum is one top 8 finish ... Another pair with the potential should be Blair/White but I guess he wasn't eligible for the Worlds(?). WIth the new but oh so strange setup for the OG (16 pairs, 4 groups, top 2 to go through) only one can be entered (unless two pairs are in the top 8) it might not even be far-fetched looking at the eligible pairs atm. Question will be: do they stick to the ranking or will they send NR on a farewell "trip"? Not much of a trip this time around ... As for today LCW should have grabbed LD by the throat from the get-go and give him no chance to play his game. LD will never reach "God Mode" anymore . Gade had a plan, LCW let LD dictate play and was happy to go along for much of the first two sets as far as I'm concerned thinking he could Turbo Boost his way at the crucial moments against the master himself . Should probably watch the thing again as I only found the last set interesting ... (cost me the PAW title as well )
Even as a British supporter (neutral) I felt so much pain for LCW yesterday watching that match, he has worked so hard over the last year and a half to get to where he is now, but it seems he lacks that fighting spirit when it really matters. It also seemed that Lin Dan wasn't really trying until it mattered, then he just powered his way in to win the rallies he wanted to, similar to AE 2009. most of the attacking shots LCW was producing were not damaging enough, he wasn't playing the game we saw him to be capable of, much like the British in the XD final (ouch). Credit goes to Lin Dan for being such an outstanding player but I am so gutted to see LCW in the state he was after he had lost, I nearly shed tears for him you could see how much it meant that he had not gotten one of his highest ambitions. I think the mourning continues for anyone but the Chinese, a finals day not to be remembered for many!
Let's hope that LCW will come back again . Unfortunately we can only have ONE winner. Let's hope that LCW will come back again (to try winning the WC title next time). .
So another china's sweep! huhhh... Just wish Natsir/Tantowi in the final instead. I humbly feel that they can have a chance against Asian players.
from star online: http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2011/8/15/sports/9302268&sec=sports Super Dan shows he’s still Lin and mean with remarkable victory CHINA’s Lin Dan took of his shirt to reveal his rippling musles before running around the court in sheer joy. After lying low throughout this week, he was in the mood for celebration - especially after beating world number one Lee Chong Wei 20-22, 21-14, 23-21 in remarkable fashion. The sensational come-from-behind win – especially after trailing 12-16 and 18-20 in the decider – saw Lin Dan winning his fourth world title, a first by a player in the world series. It was his 17th win over Chong Wei over 24 matches since they first crossed swords in 2004. It was also Lin Dan’s second win over Chong Wei this year after the victory at the US$1.2 mil South Korea Open final in Seoul. And when asked about his victory, Lin Dan said that he wanted to quickly end the game because he did not have much time to go sight-seeing in London and had wanted to buy gifts for his wife Xie Xingfang. “The match was going too long and I wanted to just win it. Fortunately, I did not make as many mistakes as Chong Wei did towards the end,” said Lin Dan. “This is my first visit to London and I have not had time to do some sight seeing. I want to buy clothes for my wife,” he said in a packed press conference, which drew laughter. When asked about the way he celebrated the win yesterday, he said: “Yes, I was a bit emotional. Chong Wei played well and I have to work hard to get back into the game after the first game defeat.” “I am glad that we (Chong Wei and I) were able to give the fans a great badminton show. I saw a lot of quality matches from men’s singles players in this world meet. “I am a badminton ambassador and it is my responsibility to maintain the interest of the the badminton fans,” said the 28-year-old Lin Dan. When asked about his Olympic Games preparation, he said: “This win here has put me in the right track for my Olympic Games preparations for next year at the same venue. I am happy and pleased with everything that has taken place here,” he added.
from star online: http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2011/8/15/sports/9302267&sec=sports Chong Wei suffers frustrating end to inspired run IT was a magical moment at the Wembley Arena yesterday but it did not belong to Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei. Yesterday, China’s superstar Lin Dan shattered Chong Wei’s dream of becoming Malaysia’s first world champion when he came from behind twice in the decider to troop home with a sensational 20-22, 21-14, 23-21 win in an adrenaline-pumping, one-hour-and-22 minute men’s singles final. The 29-year-old Chong Wei had held the upper hand at 16-12 and 20-18 in the decider in the dream final of the World Championships between the two greatest men’s singles players but luck deserted him at the crucial state. And to add misery to his agonising defeat, Chong Wei, who put up a sombre face during the victory ceremony, rushed out with cramps on both his legs and was lying in a corner with tears in his eyes. It was truly a sad end for Chong Wei, who had been so convincing and confident in his play throughout the week, sparking a great hope for Malaysia to produce a first winner since the tournament’s inception in 1977. On Saturday, he had reached his first final in his sixth attempt in the world meet to become only the second Malaysian after Wong Choong Hann to do so. After a good rub-down, Chong Wei said that he was disappointed with the outcome but vowed to move forward – with his focus on next year’s Olympic Games. “I had two chances to end the game but it did not happen for me ... Lin Dan took a great gamble at the crucial stage and I was quite unlucky,” said Chong Wei. “I gave my all. This is my best and closest match against Lin Dan. It hurts to lose by two points in this manner. “I may have lost to him but I showed that nothing much separates us. I made some mistakes today but I will be ready for him the next time. “I am still happy with my achievement of reaching my first final here. It has been a good season. I have reached every final since the start of this year. “I will shift my attention to the Olympic Games. It is 11 months away and I want to better prepared. And he gave the Malaysian fans some good news: “I may have lost the opportunity to become the country’s first champion but I am coming back. I will be back in 2013 to get it right,” added Chong Wei, who left for home yesterday. It started with three quick easy points for Chong Wei following Lin Dan’s unusual poor service return shots. Then, the real battle began with Chong Wei and Lin Dan trying to outfox each other with their blistering pace, punishing smashes, unbelievable netplays and incredible retrieves. The Malaysian stayed ahead to take a 20-18 lead but Lin Dan was always dangerously snapping at his heels. Lin Dan’s brilliance at the net saw him levelling at 20-20 but a quick recovery saw the Malaysian taking the first game at 22-20. The second game went on in the same fashion but this time, Lin Dan dictated the pace until 11-9. A brief nervy spell by a slower Chong Wei saw Lin Dan taking a 17-10 lead and eventually forcing a rubber game with a 21-14 win. Both came back recharged and determined to outdo each other and what a fight it was. The decider was a thriller with both displaying class and quality but it was Lin Dan who had a better finish to nick his fourth world title to emerge as the world’s greatest player.
Agree, credit to both players as they had displayed superb match yesterday, the most thrilling encounter between this two best. Hopefully, we'll see their final clash at same venue for the biggest one, London Games 2012 Indeed, too bad LCW can't finish it at championship point. LD is still better to overcome his nerve and make it happen, 4th WC title, what a record! And LCW will be back for 2013 edition
Thrilling in the sense that it was such a close match. Quality wise, it was spotty mixing the expected brilliance with a ton of nervous unforced errors. In fact I will remember the match for the tension that lasted from the first point to the last. Both men were never comfortable; it was as though the weight of the moment was too much for them to bear. I'm sure there were a few "heart attacks" in the crowd and on BC. Hey, how come no cutie called my ambulance
Personally, I feel LCW (and other top players) should play until he drops out of the top 10 (or some other arbitrary threshold). For the sake of badminton, upcoming players must forcefully take the crown away. If Federer retired before Nadal started to win Grand Slams, it wouldn't have been so sweet.
Huh, didn t they take out a CHN XD in the QF?Adcock/Bankier were terrific and did not get to the Finals through luck. Of course it s uncharted territory for them but it s great to know the host nation has a medal hope for next year s Olympics. Congratulations on a fantastic journey!L
. This I agree. I have just replied in another thread saying that why should LCW, LD, PG and TH retire when no one from their countries can defeat them. .
Yes they beat TJM/QT in two straight game. They definetely didn't win it just by luck. Although they still have to prove their capacity as the world championship finalist in the next tourneys. The others XD now has an eye on them. The "hunter" is now "hunted"
i like to rephrase that; we have 2 winners for badminton as in Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei, but unfortunately we can only only have 1 gold medal (current economic climate and all that).
