Events

#EMWTC14: Group 6 Preview
Date: 1/27/2014 3:04 PM
Published by : Manuel Røsler

We take our final look at the group stage for the upcoming 2014 European Men’s and Women’s Team Championships in Basel. With only five groups in the women’s event all that is left is for a short discussion on men’s group 6 and a final roundup of the likely medallists come Sunday 16th February.

EMTC Group 6 – French flair will be too much to handle

Team France are the final of the six seeds for the men’s event in Basel and will have to rely on their strength in depth to come through a tough 5 team group intact. What is pleasing to see from a French perspective is their policy of introducing emerging talent into these cauldrons of pressure from an early age.

French number 1 and winner of the Scottish Open GP in November, Brice Leverdez (pictured) will lead the line and his experience will be a vital ingredient if team France are to progress. Couple this with the vast experience of Ronan Labar and Baptiste Careme along with the youthful exuberance of Lucas Corvee, Juliene Maio and Antoine Lodiot the French have definite longevity built into their development DNA.



Spain and Ukraine are likely to be the biggest threat to the French with the Ukrainians having that bit more depth and versatility in their squad. Zavadsky, Atrashchenkov and Konov are equally at home on the singles as well as the doubles court add the skills of Natarov in doubles and the youthful flexibility of Artem Pochtarev and the Ukrainians will be flying in from Kharkov with an outside chance of upsetting the French party.

Verdict: France will most likely have too much in reserve against a dogged Ukrainian side. Spain to come up short with doubles being their downfall. Norway should win the battle of the minnows against Lithuania to avoid bottom spot in the group. 

Click here to see the full draw of men's group 6.

Changing of the guard unlikely as Denmark once again the team to beat. The 2014 edition of the European Men’s and Women’s Team Championships should once again see Denmark assert their dominance. The only question left unanswered is, how easy will be for their men and how hard will the Danish girls have to work to regain the title they lost in Amsterdam in 2012.

It is impossible to see anything but a Danish win in the men’s event and they should do it at a cruise. There really is that much a void between them and the rest! The Danish girls, while without Tine Baun, have a little gem named in their squad in the shape on Mia Blichfeldt. As a star for the future and at 232 in the world the Dane will burn it up at third singles if required. Expect to see a very focused and determined Kamilla Rytter-Juhl and Christinna Pedersen in Basel as second place means nothing to the world number two pair.

Bulgaria look like being the biggest threat to Denmark in the women’s event and let’s keep our fingers crossed that they utilise all the players available to them. This is a real viable opportunity for Bulgaria to create badminton history.

As with all team events the team environment can bring out the best in some players. Germany have that cohesion in bucket loads and their team spirit will see them do as Germany always do, bring the fight to Denmark. Both the French men and women will bring colour and energy to the Arena and remember running alongside for the first time will be the European U15 Championships.

A true feast for all badminton fans in the heart of Europe! Get to Basel and if you cannot make it you can watch it all LIVE on BETV’s Youtube channel for the first three days with Eurosport 2 broadcasting the quarter, semi’s and finals live from Basel.

Here you can read the previews for Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, Group 4 and Group 5.

You can grab your #EMWTC14 tickets by clicking here.

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

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