Defending champion China won their sixth title on Sunday, beating Denmark 3-0 in the final of the 2006 Thomas Cup badminton championships.

 

Chinese women had clinched their fifth title in a row at the Uber Cup on Saturday by blanking the Netherlands 3-0 in the final.

 

The Thomas and Uber Cup are the most prestigious men's and women's team event for badminton.

 

"When Lin Dan took the first singles, I know we have gained an upper hand to win the title," said Chinese head coach Li Yongbo.

 

Li also said that the "cohesion" of the Chinese team and the scientific training and managing systems are the keys to the victory of our men's and women's teams.

 

Thomas Lauridsen, coach of Denmark, admitted that they were overwhelmed by the Chinese vigor, adding that they just played OK today.

 

"It's a pity that we are missing again to take the trophy," said Lauridsen, adding that this was their eighth time to enter the final but failed for the fifth time in the Thomas Cup which dominated by the Asians from the start of the men's team event in 1948.

 

The opening singles of the China-Denmark clash was the repeat of the final in 2004 Thomas cup. World number one Lin Dan totally controlled the game, winning the first singles against European Champion Peter Gade at 21-17 and 21-19.

 

"I tried my best, but Lin Dan played very sharp at the net, " said Peter Gade, who ranked third in the world. He admitted that Lin played better than him today.

 

"This big point was seen as the key to the match for both teams, so we are not competing by means of technology but mentality, " said Lin Dan.

 

Reigning world runner-up Lin defeated Gade in the semi-final at the 2005 world championships but lost to the Dane at the semi-final at China Master held in March under the new scoring 21 point rally system, which was approved to be used in the future by International Badminton Federation on May 6.

 

Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng, world number three pair from China, had to dig their best to upset world top pair Martin Hansen Lundgaard and Jens Eriksen 19-21, 21-11 and 21-18 in the first doubles, putting China 2-0 ahead

 

The next came the second singles which was also the repeat of the two players Bao Chunlai and Kenneth Jonassen, who appeared in the last tournament two years ago in Jakarta.

 

World number six Bao took the first game with an easy score of 21-12, but he lost the second with the same score. In the decider, the 23-year-old Chinese controlled the game with his pace and accurate placements, downing 31-year-old Jonassen 21-12 and sealing the win for China.

 

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 7, 2006)

 

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