July 16, 2006
Europe made a stunning comeback to beat Asia 10-8 and capture the US$100,000 MVP Cup in Manila, Philippines.
Asia and Europe competed in the second edition of the MVP Cup held in Manila from 14 to 16 July 2006.
Asia's line-up saw China's Lin Dan team up with Taufik Hidayat (INA), Zhang Ning (CHN), Wang Chen (HKG), Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah (MAS), Saralee Thungthongkam and Sathinee Jangkrachangwong (THA), and local favourites, Kennie and Kennevic Asuncion (PHI), with Bang Soo Hyun as team manager and Gopichand Pullela as team captain.
Europe fielded Denmark's Kenneth Jonassen and Niels Christian Kaldau, along with Mia Audina and Yao Jie (NED), John Mateusiak (POL), Gail Emms, Donna Kellogg and Robert Blair (ENG), Thomas Laybourne and Kamilla Rytter Juhl (DEN), with Brian Agerbak as team manager and Martijn Van Dooremalen as team captain.
The Asians won five of the nine matches over the three days but Europe pulled back from 3-0 down after day one and 5-4 down on day two to take the cup off Asia because their two victories on day two were worth two points each and the two on the final day were worth three points apiece.
The fighting spirit was sparked yesterday by a priceless win by England's European champions Gail Emms and Donna Kellogg in the women's doubles, over Thailand's Saralee Thungthongkam and Sathinee Changkrachangwong.
On the final day, with a win worth three points, Europe took the mixed doubles through Denmark's European champions Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Juhl and the women's singles from Chinese-born former European champion Yao Jie of the Netherlands to lift the cup 10 points to eight.
Final results: Europe 10 Asia 8
Day One (Friday):
Men's singles: Lin Dan bt Niels Christian Kaldau 19-21, 21-14, 21-10
Women's singles: Zhang Ning bt Yao Jie 21-17, 21-19
Men's doubles: Lee Wan Wah & Choong Tan Fook bt Robert Blair & Robert Mateusiak 23-21, 21-18.
Day Two (Saturday):
Women's singles: Wang Chen bt Mia Audina 13-21, 21-14, 21-12
Men's singles: Taufik Hidayat lost to Kenneth Jonassen 21-17, 17-21, 21-12
Women's doubles: Saralee Thungthongkam & Sathinee Chankrachangwong lost to Gail Emms & Donna Kellogg 21-8, 21-15.
Day Three (Sunday):
Mixed doubles: Thomas Laybourn & Kamilla Juhl bt Kennevic & Kennie Asuncion 22-24, 21-17, 21-18
Women's singles: Yao Jie bt Zhang Ning 21-19, 18-21, 21-11
Men's singles: Kenneth Jonassen lost to Lin Dan 21-13, 14-21, 21-1
