Mads Kolding and Julie Houmann (pictured) created the shock of the day in Stockholm this afternoon by defeating world silver medallists Chris Adcock and Imogen Bankier in three games to advance to the final. The Danes, whose last win came at the Denmark International almost a year ago, found the key to unlock the defence of Adcock and Bankier. Kolding, who is known for his slow start, was really off the boil in the opening set but true to form came right back to take the second with a 21-13 win.

The deciding set was tense from the outset and at 13-13 the destiny of the match was finely balanced. The Danes went on a run of three points to lead 17-14 and never looked back thereafter to take the match 21-17.
“As usual I got off to a slow start and our serve also let us down a little as we both hit some service errors but remained patient and played to our strengths and I found my game in the second set. It is really satisfying to be in the final now and we hope to really test Nathan (Robertson) and Jenny (Wallwork) tomorrow.” Said Kolding to Badminton Europe

Kristina Gavnholt continued on her merry way as she continues to show great form here in Stockholm. The Czech number one was tactically perfect against Sashina Vignes Waran in today’s semi final as the French girl failed to show the promise she displayed in the previous rounds.

Gavnholt now advances to meet Pi Hongyan as the French number 1 showed glimpses of the form that placed here inside the world’s top 10 for most of the last decade. Hongyan, hungry for Olympic points, will start favourite in the final but Gavnholts net play will trouble the French woman for sure.

In the men’s singles Eric Pang ended the good run of Ville Lang in three sets and continued his 100% record against the Finnish number one. Pang’s laid back attitude was the perfect antidote to Lang’s exuberance and after losing the opening set 21-11 came back with a 21-10, 21-11 victory.

“I have a really good record against Ville and I know how to play him. When he starts to showboat on court I feel he has almost admitted defeat and for me it is only a matter of keeping my concentration to the end of the match.” Said Pang to Badminton Europe

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Article and Images by Mark Phelan (Live in Stockholm)