Sevilla 2001 - Group 1, 3. day

Denmark - Indonesia : 2-3

XD: Michael Sogaard/Rikke Olsen, DEN
    - Bambang Suprianto/Minarti Timur, INA        11-15, 7-15

The danes did not put up much of a struggle in the 2. game. Michael kept hitting everything wrong, except for a strong play at 11-5, where he was all over the court and finishing the play to his satisfaction. Otherwis both danes kept looking to court no 4, where the chinese - korean game was on. Bambang and Minarti had not trouble in winning this game - and the match from 12-7 to 15-7 in at short time.

No. 5 on the IBF ranking lists beat no. 1.

MS: Anders Boesen, DEN
    - Hendrawan, INA                              15-9, 2-15, 13-15

Both player started nervous, and followed along nicely. Both made a lot of mistakes, particular when finishing a rally. Anders started strongest, gaining the first points, but they followed each other all the way to an even 5-5. From then on, Anders was a little ahead of Hendrawan, but the play was very even, with a lot of serve changes. But when Anders was leading 8-6, he steadily increased the lead, and Hendrawan made more errors - on his own or forced by Anders. The final point was won, when Hendrawan hit the net squarely, even though he had out played Anders.

The score 2-15 of the second game is rather misleading. Both won a lot of plays, but Hendrawan did get the points. Anders scored the first point, and he's next was after Hendrawans first gamepoint.

The 3. sæt was as equal as 2., but this time Anders also got the points. Hendrawan got the first point, but soon Anders was ahead 3-1. They were even at 3, 5 and 12, and each showed som long, well executed plays during the middle of the game. The play for 12-11 had both players on their knees to reach a far return, and Anders won the point only when Hendrawan hit the net with his last return. Hendrawan got game and match point at 14-12, but lost it, and Anders got one more point, before Hendrawan won the match on a direct smash at Anders on the 3. try.

LS: Mette Sørensen, DEN
    - Yuli Marfuah, INA                           9-11, 13-10, 11-6

The even play continued with Ladies Singles, where Yuli started the score and Mette taking the first lead to 3-1. They where even at 3, 4, 7 and 9. Two smash into the net by Mette gave Yuli the two points needed to win first game.

Yuli where stronger in the begining of the 2. game, and had a 3-0 lead, before Mette stopped her, and got points. They where even at 5, 6, 8 and 10. Then the game became more intense, but with Mette wining the points. Her first game point was lost, when the linejudge was unable to call in or out. The play had to be done again, and this time Yuli's return was clearly out.

The serve changed a lot in the start of 3. game. Mette had to ask the same linejudge as before to speak up, when she made a call. Yuli got the first point on the 3. change of serve, but Mette evened that at the next opportunity. Yuli then open at lead of 5-1, but Mette just as quickly closed the gap. Mette continued to score, and allowed Yuli only one more point, at 7-6. Mette never lost until her first game and match point at 10-6. She won the match on the 2. try, by placing the shutle out of Yuli's reach very close to the sideline.

MD: Jens Eriksen/Jesper Larsen, DEN
    - Sigit Budiarto/Flandi Limpele, INA          15-10, 8-15, 3-15

(Flandi writes the name "Flandy" on his shirt).

The plays in the first set was very fast, even the longer rallies. Very fast game, short rallies was finished like a blink of an eye. Sigit and Flandi are fast, but tended to make error on the net. Jens and Jesper smashed a lot, as to wear down the opponent by hitting at him. They also demonstrated their powerful plays, where Jesper hides behind Jens, who is very tall and has to crouch. But sometimes he "unfold" like a spring, surprising the opponent. Several times during the whole match, Jesper lures the opponent to long, flat smashes, which he let pass in the last moment and the shuttle lands far outside his back line. Jens and Jesper lead all the way.

The opening of the 2. game saw Flandi and Sigit using some of the above techiques to their advantage, and the did not make som many errors anymore. And as the game progressed, Jens and Jesper made the mistakes and where out played by good, indonesian tactics. The indonesians lead the whole game, from a 3-0 start. During the end of the match, there was long rallies but typically Flandi and Sigit won, where there was points to gain.

Nothing worked for the danes from the start of 3. Flandi and Sigit went ahead, and Jens and Jesper became confused, and lost the initiative. At the end the danes got their game going, but way to late. Jens was frustrated, and when he returned the final smash into the net, he had already his hand stretched out to greet the umpire before the shuttle actually hit the net!

This decided the tie - Indonesia had won the group and Denmark must face China in the semi's. Korea had only won one game agains China on the next door court at that time.

LD: Ann-Lou Jorgensen/Mette Schjoldager, DEN
    - Indarti Issolina/Dayana Lomban.             15-3, 15-6

The lack of resistence ment, that Ann-Lou and Mette was allowed to show great variation of plays. The outcome was never in doubt.

Write to the author
Leif E. Andersen. 
Executive Editor, DilleSport

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