Dutch delight in European Women’s Team Championships


20 February 2006

From www.europeanbadminton.org

The Netherland’s female singles players sealed an impressive win in the European Women’s Team Championships. The Dutch star line-up of Yao Jie, Mia Audina and Judith Meulendijks all beat their English opponents in straight games to win 3-0. This meant that England’s top female, doubles player Gail Emms, never featured in the final. Denmark failed in their bid to qualify for the Uber Cup finals, losing to Germany in the third placed play-off.
 
Tracey Hallam knew that her singles match would be a key result if England were to have any chance of winning this event in Thessaloniki, Greece. The Netherlands other women’s singles players were far more experienced than those on England’s team sheet, and England would have a good chance in the doubles matches. Hallam had to play Yao Jie, but the Dutch female narrowly won the first game 21/19. Yao then kept the pressure on to win comprehensively in two games.
 
After an impressive win against Camilla Sorensen of Denmark the day before, England’s Elizabeth Cann had a much tougher prospect in the final against Olympic silver medallist Mia Audina. Audina looked untroubled throughout and won 21/15, 21/15. Judith Meulendijks was just as convincing against Jill Pittard to complete the victory for her country.
 
The women’s singles players from Germany were also strong in the third placed play-off against Denmark. Xu Huaiwen, Juliane Schenk and Petra Overzier all defeated their Danish counterparts. Denmark did not lose in straight matches, as Kamilla Juhl and Lena Frier Kristiansen beat Kathrin Piotrowski and Xu Huaiwen in the third tie of the final. Overzier’s win against Anne Marie Pedersen secured a 3-1 win and Germany’s place in the Uber Cup finals being held in Japan in May 2006.
 
To view the full results from the finals – click here