To the spectator’s delight, this match lived up to the expectations as England overcame the Germans in a tight 3-2 encounter. The opening three matches all went the distance with Volker/Moszczynski taking the opening mixed doubles in three against Flynn/Tolman 24-22 20-22 21-17. David Jones (pictured above) of England gave his team their opening point of the match after a physical three set victory, which went passed the hour mark, over Samuel Hsiao. The men’s singles was always going to be a critical point in this match. 

Yvonne Li also overcame Abigail Holden in three sets after winning four crucial points in succession at the end of her match to tip the balance in favour of the German.  Hemming/Flynn went on to defeat Voigt/Volker in two sets to set up a winner takes all women’s doubles game. Liew/Tolman came out comfortable winners against Moszczynski/Wilson to book England’s semi-final spot.

England will now face home favourites France in the second semi-final this evening after they ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against Czech Republic on court 1.

Danes Dig Deep For Semi Final Spot

Number 1 seeds for the team event, Denmark, were pushed to the fifth match by Poland in a result that finished 3-2 in Denmark’s favour. It was Poland who set the early tone in the mixed doubles, showing that they were not just here to give the Danes an easy game, by storming to an 11-6 lead at the first interval. Smilowski/Swiercynzska meant business and gave Poland their first point with a 21-13, 21-11 victory over Lundgaard/Boje. Two Danish victories in both singles encounters from Mads Thogersen and Irina Amalie Andersen put the favourites into the driving seat with a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth match. 

Lundgaard/Sondergaard took the opening set of what was a thrilling men’s doubles game 26-24 but the Polish pair of Cybulski/Smilowski seemed more motivated than ever and brought the match to the final game with a 21-17 21-17 in the second and third sets respectively. European U17 gold medallist, Alexandra Boje, teamed up with senior circuit regular, Julie Dawall Jakobsen to give Denmark their final point against Dabczynska/Goszczynska 21-19 21-10 to advance to the semi-final. 

Denmark will now face Russia (pictured above) in this evening’s first semi-final after they beat The Netherlands comfortably 3-0 on court 4.

For all results from #ECJ17 team quarter finals click HERE

For photo gallery from today’s quarter finals click HERE

Article by Ben Phelan for Badminton Europe. Images by Mark & Ben Phelan. (LIVE in Mulhouse)