# Denmark edge Indonesia 3-2 in the final
# Singles power give Denmark title after nine attempts
# Experience plays a role in Denmark’s triumph
# Thomas Cup leaves the shores of Asia for the first time
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By Rizal Abdullah
Denmark became only the fifth nation to have won the prestigious Thomas Cup for men’s team event – defeating highly favoured Indonesia 3-2 in a thrilling final in Kunshan, China on Sunday.
And it was Denmark’s experience in the men’s singles that powered the badminton crazy European nation to their first Thomas Cup title. It did not come easy for the Danes who played bridesmaid in their previous eight finals – in 1949, 1955, 1964, 1973, 1979, 1996, 2004, 2006.
To beat 13-time champions in the final in Kunshan erupted into celebrations after Hans-Kristian Vittinghus took advantage of Ihsan Maulana Mustofa in the third singles and deciding match 21-15, 21-7.
Ihsan’s inexperience at the highest level in a team event showed on him as he simply flopped against the experience lanky Dane – ranked No 13 in the world against the Indonesian’s No 31.
World No 4 Viktor Axelsen started the ball rolling with a 21-17, 21-18 win over World No 8 Tommy Sugiarto 21-17, 21-18 in 54 minutes. However, Indonesia drew level in the first doubles with World No 2 Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan coming out 21-18, 21-13 in 41 minutes.
World No 5 Jan O Jorgensen came on court in the second singles and he delivered a crushing blow to the Indonesians when he brushed aside another inexperienced youngster Anthony Ginting (World 23) 21-17, 21-12 in a 44 minute match.
Indonesia again showed their might in the doubles when their second pair of Angga Pratama-Rickey Karanda Suwardi (World 12) took only 42 minutes for their 21-16, 21-14 win over Kim Astrup-Anders Skaruup Rasmussen to make it 2-2 on the night and send the match into the decider which threw Vittinghus into the fray.
Vittinghus did not disappoint and delivered a killer sideline smash that wrote badminton across the world as the Danish team members left their seats, jumped over the A-boards to hug their hero of the night.
It was sheer joy for the Danes while the Indonesians buried their heads in tears. Indonesian last lifted the Thomas Cup in 2002 in Guangzhou, China when they beat Malaysia 3-2 in the final.
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THOMAS CUP FINAL RESULTS (May 22)
Denmark beat Indonesia 3-2
(Denmark first)
Singles
Viktor Axelsen beat Tommy Suigiarto 21-17, 21-18
Jan O Jorgensen beat Anthony Ginting 21-17, 21-12
Hans-Kristian Vittinghus beat Ihsan Maulana Mustofa 21-15, 21-7
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Doubles
Mads Pieler Kolding-Mads Conrad Petersen lost to Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan 18-21, 13-21
Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen lost to Angga Pratama-Rickey Karanda Suwardi 16-21, 14-21
