After a highly successful inaugural Swedish Masters in 2014 the cream of Europe’s circuit players will once again make the trip to Sweden for the 2015 edition which sees four champions returning to defend their crowns but it is a certain German mixed doubles pair who will travel to Uppsala with a sense on unfinished business after their 2014 runners up spot.

Peter Käsbauer & Isabel Herttrich will travel to Sweden as the top seeds and after a great end to 2014 which saw them lift the K&D Graphics Grand Prix stateside the Germans will hope they can build on that victory to go one better than their Swedish runners up spot from 2014 where they lost out to Blair & Bankier from Scotland in the final.

With a strong mixed doubles field assembled in Uppsala the Germany world number 21 pair will have a tough test on hand if they are to get 2015 off to the perfect start. Nestled in the same side of the draw are Nohr & Thygesen of Denmark, who with three wins and two other finals in 2014, were the form pair on the circuit last year.

If either the Germans or the Danes fail to bring their ‘A’ game to Sweden Dutch pairs Arends/Piek and De Ruiter/Barning will be on hand to take advantage.

“There are some really good pairs in Sweden and to even get to a final we will have to beat Nohr & Thygesen who beat us in the final in Ireland.” said Käsbauer. Sweden has been a good play ground for use the past few years so we are confident going into the tournament.

For mixed doubles draw click HERE

Sweet Swedish memories for Lång

The 2014 Swedish Masters holds some sweet memories for Ville Lång. The Finn won a memorable final against local hero Henri Hurskainen while trailing 19-13 in the deciding set and Lång will return this year to defend his title as he attempts to get 2015 off to the perfect start.

This year Lång is in the same side of the draw as his Swedish friend so there will be no repeat of the 2014 final and England’s Rajiv Ouseph will be favourite with the English number one attempting to put a mildly disappointing 2014 behind him and get out of the blocks as quick as possible in 2015.

As always a strong Danish line up make the trip to Sweden with Persson, Holst, Quach and Fladberg heading up the challenge. This experienced quartet will be supported by rising stars Gemke and Antonsen who will attempt qualification as they make the transition from junior to senior badminton.

For men’s singles draw click HERE

New Year and new focus for Scotland’s Gilmour

The women’s singles draw has an altogether more familiar feel to it with circuit favourites Corrales, Madsen, Vignes Waran, Kjaersfeldt and defending champion Kirsty Gilmour ready for new challenges in 2015.

The Scottish number 1 defeated Denmark’s Line Kjærsfeldt in the 2014 final on her way to her silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in the summer. Gilmour justifiably took her foot off the gas thereafter taking time to recuperate after her commonwealth exploits only playing a handful of tournaments for the remainder of 2014 with her best result a semi-final at her home Scottish Open GP in November.

2015 is sure to bring a renewed focus from the Scot as focus turns to Rio Olympic qualification and like all champions Gilmour will be anxious to go back to back in Sweden which is an athletic feat in itself.

Spain’s top seed Beatriz Corrales will offer stiffest completion as top seed and her pair of wins and runners up spots from her last four tournaments of 2014 is sure to act as a welcomed confidence boost to the likeable Spaniard.

For women’s singles draw click HERE

Pole position yet again for Wacha & Cwalina

2014 was certainly a year to remember for Poles Adam Cwalina & Przemyslaw Wacha. The prolific Poles won no fewer than 6 international title and for Cwalina the birth of his first child in the summer was the icing on the cake.

Cwalina & Wacha return to Sweden as defending champions and will face the toughest of test from the outset in their title defence. Scottish Open Grand Prix winners Daugaard and Christiansen from Denmark look likely opponents for the Poles in round two and that is if the Danes manage to overcome the challenge of Van Rietvelde and Coles who themselves are proving a new formidable pairing.

Any slip up from any of these pairs and Nottingham and Towler, winners in Wales before Christmas, will feel all the hard work has been done and all before the semi-finals.

Danes Rasmussen and Astrup will bring their all action style to Sweden and will be eyeing up yet another passion filled final with Wacha & Cwalina.

For men’s doubles draw click HERE

Helsbøl back after a year on the sidelines

The women’s doubles is the only event where the defending champions are absent. Eefje Muskens and Selena Piek sit out Sweden an event which formed part of their magical 5 events 5 wins in 2013/14 as Muskens recovers from injury. The Dutch hand over top seeding to their compatriots Barning and Tabeling who will feel most pressure from English pair Olver & Smith.

There is a welcome return to international competition for Denmark’s Maria Helsbøl after a year out through injury. The Dane's last circuit appearance was in Sweden in 2014 and she puts a frustrating year behind her to link up with partner Lena Grebak and the pair should put the cat amongst the pigeons come the business end of the tournament.

For women’s doubles draw click HERE

All the action from Sweden kicks off on Thursday and Badminton Europe will be on hand streaming all matches from court 1 throughout the tournament. To watch live and on demand click HERE to subscribe to Badminton Europe’s YouTube channel.

Article by Mark Phelan for Badminton Europe. Photo by BadmintonPhoto.