Raul Must of Estonia almost creates one of the biggest upsets in the history of European Badminton Championships. Almost. In the third round of the Yonex Badminton European Championships Must had to challenge Europe's best badminton player for the last decade: Peter Gade. Everything seems to go the normal way after the Dane was leading 16-2 in the opening game. But suddenly the whole match get balanced.
„I couldn't see that good in the beginning because of the lights on the court. And of course I was very nervous. But after Gade was leading 16-2 I got better and better into the match. I found my rhythm“, Must said.
Peter Gade: „Raul played like it was his life“
He probably showed his best badminton ever. Very strong in the defense and with a dangerous cross-slice half smash he often sursprised the four-times champion from Denmark. „Raul played like it was his life in every rally – I really respect that even though I had to work really hard at times. Before this tournament I sort of expected matches like these will come“, Peter Gade said.
On the hand there was Raul Must fighting for his life and on the other hand there was Peter Gade, who didn't play at his best. After winning the first game, the Estonian decided the second after Gade had a big lead already. In the rubber-set it seems to be a clear matter again. But the restistance of Must was still very strong. In the end it was Peter Gade who won 21-18 and moved into the quarter finals. „I have to say that it's difficult to keep the momentum high all the way at the moment. I didn’t expect a 69 min battle. But most importantly I won in the end.“
„Of course I am very satisfied with my match today. I was a bit suprised to see Peter playing passive. He didn't attack today. Before the tournament I had hoped to get a seeding. But because of the fact only eight players were seeded, I could get a bad draw. And I got. But despite that I am still happy with the performances I have shown in Manchester“, Raul Must speaks.
Pedro Martins impressed again
The young Portuguese Pedro Martins was close in sending the last year's finalist Joachim Persson (Denmark) out of the tournament. Playing superbly in the first game but letting Persson back into the match again. The big favourite won 13-21, 21-7, 21-17. „I could have won this match too“, Pedro Martins explained. „I was injured for a long time. I had problems in both knees and was out of competition. But now I am back in a good shape – I guess. But I hope I can still raise my level in the future.“ Joachim Persson will face his compatriot Jan Ø. Jørgensen in the quarter finals.
Host nation England still have two players in Men's Singles fighting for medals. Carl Baxter who is facing Peter Gade; and Rajiv Ouseph is up against Irish Scott Evans, who beat seven-seeded Eric Pang in the first round. Andrew Smith, the third English player in the last 16, was forced to retire at 13-5 down against Germany's third seed Marc Zwiebler. „I don't know what happened to him. I didn't have a real challenge in the tournament so far. Tomorrow against Dicky Palyama I am warned. He can beat every player in the world. And maybe he is in the form of his life. But I also know when I am at my best, it's tough for every player to beat me“, Marc Zwiebler said.
The quarter finals in the men's singles:
Peter Gade (DEN) – Carl Baxter (ENG)
Marc Zwiebler (GER) – Dicky Palyama (NED)
Scott Evans (IRE) – Rajiv Ouseph (ENG)
Jan Ø. Jørgensen (DEN) – Joachim Persson (DEN)