World No. 8 Peter Gade and World No. 5 Kenneth Jonassen on Friday led Denmark into men's semifinals of the European Badminton Team Championships being held in central Dutch city Almere, after whipping Sweden 3-0.

 

In the first singles rubber, Jonassen conquered Magnus Sahlberg in three games, 21-15, 17-21, 21-7. In the second singles rubber, Gade defeated Henri Hurskainen with ease in straight games, 21-17, 21-17.

 

Mathias Boe and Joachim Fischer completed the Danish stylish victory with a lopsided second doubles win over Mathias Wigardt and Peder Nordin in two straight games, 21-8, 21-5.

 

In other quarterfinals actions, the Dutch hosts were edged by Poland in a see-saw encounter, losing 2-3, Germany overcame Wales 3-0, and England beat Russia 3-0.

 

In Saturday's semifinals, Denmark will meet Germany, while England will take on Poland. The final will be held on Sunday.

 

The tournament also serves as a European qualifying event for the World team championships. The top three teams in both the women's and men's competition will go to the final stages of the World team championships scheduled for May in Jakarta, Indonesia.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 16, 2008)