Five Danish shuttlers suffering diarrhea<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Diarrhea took its toll as Denmark suffered a
\nsurprising 2-3 loss to South Korea in the Thomas Cup men's team
\nbadminton championships on Friday.<\/p>\n
The stomach virus hit five team members, world beater singles
\nstars Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen and Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen and
\ndoubles specialists Thomas Henrik Svarre, Michael Sogaard and Jim
\nLaugesen. Novice Laugesen was in fact lying on his bed at the
\nJakarta Hilton International hotel when South Korea pulled off
\nthe shocking upset.<\/p>\n
Denmark, this year's number two seed, was favored to beat
\nSouth Korea and represent Group B together with Malaysia in the
\nfinal four round.<\/p>\n
\"We were affected by viruses we contracted through the food we
\nate at the hotel,\" Hoyer-Larsen said after his listless 9-15, 5-
\n15 showing against Kim Hak-kyun, whom he had beaten in their four
\nprevious encounters. Hoyer-Larsen added that diarrhea caused him
\nto feel dehydrated during the match.<\/p>\n
The virus quickly spread out among the Danish squad since they
\nsocialized and ate together, but no other teams have reported
\nsimilar bowel problems.<\/p>\n
All players and officials participating in the biennial Thomas
\nCup and Uber Cup finals are billeted at the same hotel, the
\nHilton.<\/p>\n
Hoyer-Larsen said he first developed stomach problems three
\ndays after his arrival here. He said diarrhea led to the strange
\nlineup fielded by his team in which he played at first singles in
\nplace of Stuer-Lauridsen. The latter, instead, teamed up with
\nThomas Lund in the doubles.<\/p>\n
\"I couldn't play fully under these circumstances,\" Hoyer-
\nLarsen said. \"I'm sorry to tell you this fact,\" he told a handful
\nof reporters who had been surprised by his poor performance.<\/p>\n
\"I'm quite relieved that we lost 2-3 to South Korea, since,
\nbarring a major collapse, we have a big chance to beat Malaysia
\n3-2,\" Hoyer-Larsen said. He expressed guarded optimism that he
\nand his teammates would recover for the decisive match against
\nthe defending champions.<\/p>\n
Denmark, which thrashed minnow Thailand 5-0 in their opening
\nmatch on Wednesday, still can advance to the semifinals with a
\nvictory over Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Denmark was shut out by the host Malaysians in the 1992
\nfinals, who then went on to capture the coveted title for the
\nfirst time in 25 years by sinking Indonesia 3-2. (amd)<\/p>",
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