Antonsen, Astrup/Skaarup Lead Denmark Past Thailand to Set Up China Clash

Denmark reach Thomas Cup semi-finals after 3-1 win over Thailand

Denmark beat Thailand 3-1 to reach the Thomas Cup semi-finals and set up a clash with defending champions China in Horsens.

Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup also won in three sets to put Denmark 2-0 up against Thailand...

Denmark booked a Thomas Cup semi-final spot on Friday night with a 3-1 win over Thailand, setting up a clash with defending champions China.  

The Danish men’s team will now prepare to face China in the last four on home soil in Horsens.

On Friday evening, Denmark defeated Thailand 3-1 in the quarter-final to advance to a Thomas Cup semi-final against tournament favorites China.  

 

Mathias Christiansen and Daniel Lundgaard, an uncommon doubles pairing, clinched the decisive win over Chaloempon Charoenkitamorn and Worrapol Thongsa-Nga.  

Reaching the semi-final guarantees Denmark a medal, since the Thomas Cup does not hold a bronze-medal match.  

Denmark left empty-handed in 2024 after winning bronze in three straight editions following their 2016 title triumph.  

Before Christiansen and Lundgaard sealed it, Anders Antonsen in singles and the doubles pair of Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup had already put Denmark 2-0 up against Thailand.

Anders Antonsen opened the tie by edging world No. 2 Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-16, 11-21, 21-18 in a grueling three-set match.  

  

Both players looked drained in the deciding set, but Antonsen pushed through to earn four match points. He missed the first two, visibly exhausted, before clinching it on the third with a sharp forehand winner to spark loud cheers from the home crowd.  

Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup followed with a 15-21, 21-5, 21-17 win over Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Pakkapon Teeraratsakul.

  

From 17-17 in the third set, the Danish pair won four points in a row to seal the game and give the hosts a 2-0 lead.  

  

Third time's luck for the World Number 3! 🇩🇰 Anders Antonsen successfully defeated 🇹🇭 Kunlavut Vitidsarn to give Denmark a 1-0 lead over Thailand in this quarterfinal match. Good luck for the next match, gentlemen! #ThomasCup2026 #BadmintonEropa pic.twitter.com/lwlQADamhQ https://t.co/WZU0WplpUw

— Badminton Eropa (@badmintoneropa) May 1, 2026

Magnus Johannesen then had a chance to close out the tie in the third match, but despite a strong effort against Pakkapon Teeraratsakul, the Thai won 21-17, 21-12.  

In the fourth match, the makeshift doubles duo of Christiansen and Lundgaard started strongly in the first set.  

The Danes were solid in defense and also produced creative attacking play.  

They carried that form into the second set, staying a step ahead throughout, and Mathias Christiansen converted the second match point to win it for Denmark.