Looking at the All-England results where all countries in the top group sent their best players except for the top Korean Double pairs (Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed), China looks almost invincible. Denmark and Korea might have chances, but only small chances. Peter and Camilla are shadows of their past glories. Indonesia has less chance than Denmark or Korea IMHO. Thailand and England will be fighting just to avoid being bumped down to the second division. China is weak only in Men's Doubles, but is very strong in all other categories. I expect China will win the cup again rather easily. Ron
Which countries will move up/down their respective groups??? Group 1: Korea, China, Denmark, Thailand, England, Indonesia Most likely Thailand moving down. Group 2: Malaysia, Germany, Ukraine, Sweden, Hongkong, Taiwan, Netherlands and Japan Up - Probably Malaysia although Netherlands is strong in LS, LD and XD. Down - Ukraine Group 3: Russia, Norway, Finland, USA, India, Scotland, Austria and Wales. Up - Scotland/Wales Down - USA (don't think Tony G/Eti T qualify to play for the US) Group 4: Spain, Poland, Iceland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Belgium and France. Group 5: Israel, Sri Lanka, Peru, Slovenia, Kazachstan, Slovakia, Portugal and South Africa. Group 6: Greenland, Hongaria, Australia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Greece, Lithuania and Estonia Group 7: Armenia, Turkey, Faroer Islands, Gibraltar, Suriname, Ireland, Letland and Jamaica. My knowledge of players of countries in groups 4 to 7 is limited so can't predict on those. One thing for sure that if Malaysia do not finish on top of their group, there will be hell to pay.
Amongst the Group 1, do you think England will not fare well against Thailand? Out of the 6 countries there, I believed that Thailand is the weakest although the Thais are up and coming and so could surprise with upsets.
Re: Entries for Sudiman Cup released With a tax rate so high, you'd think we'd have some money left over to send some players. Too bad the government is only concerned about mainstream sports... and curling.
Is Flandi/Eng eligible to play for the England? Is there a rule that says they need to live in England for how many years before they are eligible to play in the Surdiman Cup? Thailand has a strong edge over England is Men's Singles, and Sujitra Ekmongkolpaisarn has a good chance of beating either Juila Mann or Tracey Hallam in WS. Unless Flandi/Eng plays for England, TEERAWIWATANA/PANVISVAS will be strongly favoured over the England in Men's doubles pair. England, however, undisputely has a much stronger WD and XD and Thailand.
I'm actually quite interested in this, looking at this chart http://www.intbadfed.org/intrepchart.PDF I realise I don't know enough about Eng/Flandi to know whether they can play, can anyone help? However: MS Thailand (I can't see any Pom beat Boonsak) MD With E/F England, without, definately Thailand WS Toss up WD England XD England Therefore if Eng and Flandi don't play it's almost line ball IMO, if Eng/Flandi do play then England should win.
I beleive the rule is to live in that country for two years. They haven't completed that length of time. I think the last tournament they entered as Indonesian representatives was 2001 World Champs.
Check the link in the previous post it's a little more complicated than living in two years. However if they played in 2001 then they are not eligible at the first hurdle of having "representated any member organisation other than M in the three years preceding the date of proposed representation". So Thailand V England depends on Womens Singles, with the others looking clear cut?
Ah yes, 3 years. Found the info. They went out in the 1st round of the WC. TEERAWIWATANA Pramote / PANVISVAS Tesana (THA-/THA-) beat 3/4* LIMPELE Flandi / HIAN Eng (INA-/INA-). WS and WD I'd give 50-50. The Thais have made dramatic improvements recently. The English seem to be stagnating somewhat. So overall, the Thais look the more balanced team.
