Holland, Germany vie for semis in Uber Cup

Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta

The Netherlands and Germany, which are both under the shadow of successful fellow European team, Denmark, have set themselves the target of taking a place in the semifinals of the Uber Cup.

The Netherlands arrived without its ace, European champion Mia Audina, but the team's head coach, Martijn van Dooremalen, was hopeful that Mia's absence would not affect the team.

"Two years ago in Guangzhou we managed to reach the semifinals. We expect the same this time, although Mia is not with us," he said.

Mia, who helped Indonesia win the Uber Cup in 1994 and won a silver medal at the Olympics in 1996 in Atlanta -- before switching her allegiance to the Netherlands -- was previously reported to be on the team. Although, it was said, she would not be playing in the match against Indonesia.

However, van Dooremalen confirmed on Wednesday Mia would not be playing at all, and Yao Jie would replace her as the teams's number one singles player.

According to Dooremalen, the Dutch badminton association had decided Mia should focus on the Olympics.

"We decided two months ago that she would not participate in this championship. She's tired and she needs rest because she just finished with the European championships," Dooremalen said.

He said there were four important tournaments this year, the All England, European Championships, Uber Cup and Olympic games.

"The Olympic games is the most important of the four, we're only aiming for the semifinals of the Uber Cup," he said.

The Netherlands will open its match against Indonesia on Sunday before taking on defending champion China on Monday.

Unlike the Dutch, the Germans will compete in both the Thomas Cup and the Uber Cup. However, they were more confident about their Uber prospects, saying they would be looking for a place in the final four.

"Our women's team is definitely stronger than the men's team. We are pretty confident we can reach the semifinals," team manager Martin Kranitz said, adding they were also upbeat about their prospects against Indonesia, should the two teams meet in the semifinals.

He said the men's team was setting its sights on the quarterfinals.

Germany's Thomas Cup team is placed in Group B with South Korea and New Zealand, while the Uber Cup team, in Group X, with Chinese Taipei and South Africa.

As South Africa is a newcomer to this championship, Germany's Uber Cup team should be able to overcome the first hurdle to advance to the next stage.

Germany will rest its hopes on Xu Huaiwen, a former Chinese player currently ranked 12th in the world, while Bjoern Joppien, the world's No. 21, will lead his male teammates in the Thomas Cup.

Meanwhile, China seems confident of winning both cups. China is the Uber Cup holder, while it last won the Thomas Cup in 1988.

Team manager Lee Yong Bo said he was optimistic China would be able to retain the Uber Cup and wrestle the Thomas Cup from Indonesia.

With the world's top players in both categories, China is a strong favorite in this tournament.

Gong Ruina will lead China's female charge in the Uber Cup, while her fellow world No. 1, Lin Dan, will spearhead the men's team.