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Photo: Badmintonphoto
Danish exit
Date: 5/25/2018 7:53 PM
Published by : Tom Leonard

The defending Thomas Cup Champions will not be defending their title on Sunday after losing 3-2 against Japan in the semi-finals.


The Danish men's team faced Japan in the semi finals from 6pm (local time) in Bangkok, infront of a passionate crowd of badminton spectators!


First up on court was Viktor Axelsen (DEN) against Kento Momota (JPN) in the opening men's singles. The battle was a contest of endurance and stamina as the long rallies spanned out to a 40-minute long match, resulting with the Japanese player coming out on top 21-17, 21-9.


Mathias Boe and Mads Conrad-Petersen (DEN) were next contenders, playing against Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda (JPN) in a two set thriller. The Dane's used their attacking prowess to bring the team score level to 1-1, as they beat the Japanese pair 21-18, 21-15.


Japan was quick to fight back as another thrilling single's games took to the court, where Japanese player Kenta Nishimoto beat Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus 21-19, 21-12 in a gruelling 50-minute match. This match gave Japan a 2-1 lead, meaning they only need one more match to secure victory and entry into the 2018 Thomas Cup finals.


European Champions fighting for survival

Figthing for survival, Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (DEN) battled it out against Takuto Inoue and Yuki Kaneko (JPN) in a three-set thriller. Japan was quick to take the first end with a 21-17 win, before the Dane's fought back to win the second game 21-16.

With every player well aware that every point counts in the third end, the Dane's held their nerve to keep Danish hopes alive, with a 21-15 victory in the third end. At 2-2, everything is to play for in the fifth and final game!


A great sitatuion for the spectators, and nerve-racking for the athletes, Denmark and Japan have gone all they way to fight it out for the final spot. Jan O Jorgensen stepped out on to court for Denmark, against Japan's Kanta Tsuneyama.


Bronze for Denmark

The former European Champion is still on his way back after an injury, and in the last match of the tie it was the Japanese who had the momentum. 


Tsuneyama who is ranked 34 in the World won in straight games 21-18 21-11 securing Japan a spot in the final.


Japan will face China in the Thomas Cup final on Sunday, while Denmark and Indonesia will go to the podium to collect the bronze medals.


You can see photos and videos from the match here 


Stay up to date with the latest results and progress in the Thomas and Uber Cup here 


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