Players of Denmark celebrate on the podium during the awarding ceremony after defeating team Indonesia in the final at the Thomas Cup badminton championship in Kunshan, east China's Jiangsu Province, May 22, 2016. Team Denmark won 3-2. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Denmark won Europe's first ever Thomas Cup by beating 13-time winners Indonesia 3-2 in the final of the world top men's badminton team tournament on Sunday.

Denmark, eight-time runners-up, became only the fifth champion after Indonesia, China, Malaysia and Japan in the Cup history.

World No. 4 Victor Axelsen gave Denmark a good start when he outplayed Tommy Sugiarto 21-17, 21-18 in the openning match. The 22-year-old celebrated the victory by tossing his racket and sweater to the stand to thank the support from Chinese fans.

"They were cheering for me throughout the game, so I should give them some gifts to show my gratitude," said Axelsen.

Second ranked doubles Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan defeated Mads Pieler Kolding/Mads Conrad Petersen 21-18, 21-13 to tie the match for Indonesia before Jan Jorgensen restored the lead for Denmark with a 21-17, 21-12 win over Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.

Indonesia, who had beaten Denmark four times in the Thomas Cup finals, caught up again through Angga Pratama/Ricky Karanda Suwardi in the second doubles. However, Denmark showed their singles muscles again as veteran Han-Kristian Vittinghus overwhelmed Ihsan Maulana Mustofa 21-15, 21-7 to secure the winning point.

"It's a big honor for me to play the last match in the final," said Vittinghus. "I had dreamed about it since we came here last week. I appreciated that my teammates made me an opportunity to win this match. Bring the Thomas Cup back to Denmark means a lot to us."

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)