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Thomas shock, Uber surprise
Sun, 05/18/2008 10:49 AM | Sports
Some say sport is more than a matter of winning or losing -- rather, it's the element of surprise that makes it interesting.
The Thomas and Uber Cup badminton tournament has had it in spades.
Host Indonesia's men's team wanted to regain Thomas glory for the 14th time, but instead they saw first-time finalists Korea stealing the show in the semis. The women's team only aimed for a semifinals finish, but ended up in a clash with dominant China.
Indonesia's Thomas team dreams, but the Uber team delivers.
Top seeds tumbled throughout the biennial event. Unbeaten world number one Lin Dan of China -- the media often call him "Super Dan" -- fell to Malaysian ace Lee Chong Wei, ranked second in the world. Dan's girlfriend, another world number one, Xie Xinfang, lost to world No. 17 Yao Jie of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands and Germany proved that European badminton is on the rise, and that European badminton does not only belong to Denmark.
Holland's Uber team managed to put the brakes on a star-studded China, despite eventually losing 2-3, with flair. Germany beat the favorite, Denmark 3-0, while European champ Xu Huaiwen beat All England champ Tine Rasmussen.
China's Thomas and Uber teams could both come out eventual victors as they still have the edge over other teams. But they have been taught something -- they're no longer invincible and other teams are worth of being reckoned with in the future.
-- JP/Damar Harsanto
What's On
- Festival of India
10/29/2009 12/15/2009 Balai Kartini & Umar Ismail Hall, Jakarta
- Imagemakers of the Future: Photography exhibition
10/10/2009 11/30/2009 Alila Ubud Desa Melinggih Kelod Payangan, Gianyar 80572, Bali - Timeless Change
11/05/2009 12/07/2009 Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Hotel Jimbaran, Bali. - Choreography of Colours; Sardono W. Kusumo's first solo painting exhibition
11/12/2009 12/12/2009 vivi yip art room Annexe Ciputra World Marketing Gallery Jalan Prof Satrio Kav 11, Casablanca