General

Poul-Erik Høyer: “I still get goosebumbs”
Date: 7/10/2012 12:48 AM
Published by : Manuel Røsler

Poul-Erik Høyer is President of Badminton Europe. The Dane, who is considered to be one of the legends of badminton, was elected into the Badminton Europe Council in 2010. We talked to Poul-Erik about his magnificent Gold medal in 1996, his opinion of the current level in Europe and about the European chances of winning medals at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

BADMINTON EUROPE: Poul-Erik, it’s now 16 years ago that you won the Gold medal in Atlanta. How do you look back to his achievement?
Poul-Erik Høyer:
I feel very fortuned that I have achieved such a victory. I still get goosebumbs when I talk about Atlanta 1996. I also felt that all the hard work that has been done all of a sudden paid off. So my feeling was a very big satisfaction.

BADMINTON EUROPE: You played a fantastic tournament in 1996 - you did not even drop a game. Why have you been in such a top form at this time?
Høyer:
Actually I have been having a problem with my Achilles on my right leg and have been suffering from that injury for a long time. I really felt troubled. When playing it was hurting all the time and I was very frustrated not being able to play 100%. Then when I came to Milage Ville, a town just outside Atlanta where we were practicing. There was a physio team at Georgia College. That team helped me in the whole week we were there. There was a Japanese guy who really helped me giving some treatments. When we then came to Atlanta I couldn’t believe it. I had no pain and I could play for the first time without having pain in my achilles tendon. That was such a relive that I’m sure that was one of the reasons that I played that well.

BADMINTON EUROPE: What would you tell young European men’s singles who want to beat the Asians? What a player should have to be able to beat them?
Høyer:
First of all the speed in the game is crucial. Therefore it is of a high priority. Then I believe it is important that your technique is in place. You should be able to play a variation of shots from all angles. You should also be able to make and change your game plan yourself. You should always be able to find your advantages against an opponent. For a European, I think it is important to control the game. Something Lin Dan is at this moment the best in the world. He is controlling his opponent.

BADMINTON EUROPE: Where do you see chances for Europe to win a Medal in London?
Høyer:
I see chances in the men’s doubles and in the mixed doubles, but also the women’s singles could be interesting to follow. The men’s singles competition is very tough, because there are a lot of good players. I find the chances of winning a medal very difficult. But with a bit of luck it is possible. Women’s doubles will be just as difficult to gain a medal but on a good day, the Danes Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl can produce an upset.

BADMINTON EUROPE: How do you see the current level in Europe compared to your best time, the 90’s?
Høyer:
I see a good development and an improved technique. The only problem is that the Asian players are improving just as fast or maybe even faster. India are coming with a lot of good players. And I see the Chinese with their investments and production of good players. What we need is to have player investing the time and effort to reach estimated 10.000 hours of good work before the age of 21. I only see occasionally that we have U19 players winning against the Asian players. I really think we need to do more for our junior players.

Thanks for the interview!

Photo by BadmintonPhoto

©badmintoneurope.com. All rights reserved.

Related news
29/03/2024
Europeans ready for quarterfinals in Madrid
European favourites out of the...

27/03/2024
EOC Executive Committee awards 2027 European Games to Istanbul
The European Olympic Committee...

27/03/2024
Madrid Spain Masters day 2: Victories, upsets, and excitement on court.
French siblings sweep to victo...

26/03/2024
A first action-packed day unfolds at the Spain Masters
The Madrid Spain Masters 2024 ...

26/03/2024
Spain Masters begins today with an unexpected withdrawal!
Madrid is buzzing with excitem...

25/03/2024
Lane/ Vendy and Marin, victorious at Swiss Open
The Swiss Open concluded this ...

More news