England proved once again that they are a force to be reckoned with on the Badminton Europe circuit with clinical displays by all their athletes in today’s semi finals at the Yonex Irish International semi finals in Lisburn. Team England had four combinations competing in the semi finals this afternoon and came away at the end of the session with all four advancing to tomorrows finals.

The hero’s of the day from an English perspective were Heather Olver and Marcus Ellis (pictured) as both combined exquisitively to beat the relatively unknown and surprise Danish pairing of Joan Christiansen and Theis Christiansen in two straight sets.

“The Irish International has been a happy hunting ground for me and I like this run of the home country tournaments as there is not as much travelling. Its good to be in one final but to make two is even more special. Lets hope we can continue the form we have shown recently to go now and win tomorrow” said Olver to Badminton Europe after her victory

Olver and Ellis then teamed up with their respective doubles partners Mariana Agathangelou and Peter Mills to book their places in a second final each. Particularly impressive was the performance of English ladies as they defeated All England semi finalists and top seeds Marie Røpke and Line Kruse in two sets 21-16 21-14

Completing the English rout was top men’s singles player Rajiv Ouseph (pictured) as he finally halted the impressive run of Mathieu Lo Ying Ping of France on the BETV court. Ice cool Ouseph proved his class in dispelling the threat of the Frenchman in two sets 21-13 21-18.

Ouseph will face off against Mr consistent Przemyslav Wacha in tomorrow’s finals as the BE circuit multiple winner saw off the challenge of Dicky Palyama in three sets.

The only final that will not have English representation is the women’s singles with Chinese Taipai’s Pai Hsiao Ma and the Spanish starlet Carolina Marin (pictured) advancing to the final. Marin defeated Linda Zechiri after the Bulgarian was forced to retire due to injury and the Chinese Taipai player had probably the best victory of the day defeating French number 1 Pi Hongyan in two straight sets.

“This was important for me today as I have struggled against Linda in our previous matches. When she was injured it was important for me to keep my concentration to see the match to the end and I am happy now to be in the final” said Marin to Badminton Europe

The Dutch duo of Piek and Khodabux proved once again that there are rapidly heading towards the status of being world class after defeating Bonde and Helsbol in two sets and rounding off the day’s play were the Polish duo of Cwalina and Logosz (pictured) as they literally blitzed their way to yet another Badminton Europe circuit final with their exciting brand of all out attack badminton as they defeated German duo of Kaesbauer and Zurwonne in just 23 minutes. In fact if you look at the stats from that particular semi final the Poles actually took the first set in just nine minutes which in itself demonstrates the urgency of their attacking style of play.

Finals of the Yonex Irish International commence at 11am local time with all 5 finals being broadcast on BETV with full commentary. To watch just login and register for free by clicking HERE.

For all results of the Yonex Irish International click here.
Click here to see the previous champions of the tournament which is been held since 1902.

For the current Badminton Europe rankings click here

Article and Images by Mark Phelan (Live in Lisburn)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oMV0sv3XiBE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>