The 2018 BWF Thomas & Uber Cup will be the 30th edition of the Thomas Cup and the 27th edition of the Uber Cup. This year it will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, over four decades since the tournament was last held there in 1976. We just have one more week until the world’s top nations will battle it out to see who is the best of them all.
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here to see the squads of all participating nations.
The European nations qualified for the Thomas Cup are of course, Denmark, who are the reigning champions after winning in China two years ago. And qualifiers from the European Team Championships 2018 were Russia, France, Germany and England. However, England have withdrawn and been replaced by Hong Kong.
In the Uber Cup, the European nations qualified via the European Team Championships 2018 earlier this year are Denmark, Germany, Russia and Spain. However, Spain have withdrawn and been replaced by France.
Thomas Cup: teams to watch
The defending Thomas Cup champions, Denmark, are in Group D with Malaysia, Russia and debutants Algeria. They will be hoping to achieve the double and join China, Indonesia and Malaysia in Thomas Cup history as a dominant nations in world Badminton. Although, they will be without Cartsen Mogensen. Meaning they will be relying on their strength in depth of doubles players, or a potential scratch pairing of Mathias Boe and Mathias Christiansen. And not forgeting, the current World and European Champion, Viktor Axelsen will be leading the way in the singles.
France will be up against it having drawn the favourites, China, who will want to right their poorest result since the 1970’s, having lost in the quarter-final last time. Group A also contains the ever-improving Indian team who are strengthening their doubles pairs to complement their impressive selection pool of singles players. Australia are the fourth team in this group.
Germany in Group C, have no easy games, with 2014 champions Japan, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong. Japan may have a big part to play in this year’s cup with the return of the freshly crowned Asia Champion, Kento Momota. Interestingly, German veteran Marc Zwiebler, who retired last August, is listed in the singles.
Uber Cup: teams to watch
The Danish women, like the men, are in a group with fellow Europeans Russia. Group C also contains Mauritius and South Korea. The Danes will be hoping to qualify from the group despite the notable absence of their top women’s doubles pair Kamilla Rytter Juhl and Christina Pedersen, again relying on the impressive depth of their squad. South Korea, who will battle Denmark for the top spot in the group, are also missing their star doubles players Lee So Hee, Chang Ye Na and Jung Kyung Eun.
In Group B, hosts Thailand will be aiming to impress their home support by qualifying from the group with Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Germany. The Germans will be hoping the experience of their squad can get some vital wins.
The draw for France into Group D with reigning champions China, Indonesia and Malaysia was particularly tough. This years European Championship finalists Emilie Lefel and Anne Tran will hope to inspire to team to give it their best. The young Chinese team will be under pressure to emulate their previous form, having reached every final since 1984, lifting the trophy a record 14 times. The welcome return of Li Xuarei may give them the necessary boost to go all the way.
The Thomas & Uber Cup Finals will be held 20-27 May.
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here to see the groups and fixtures for TUC 2018.