Staged in the west coast Swedish city of Halmstad, from Sunday 29^th April to Sunday 6^th May, the headline news at the Liebherr 2018 World Team Championships was not that China retained both men’s and women’s team titles, the story that received global media attention came three days before the curtain closed; an act totally unprecedented.

The Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea reached the quarter-finals of the women’s team event; they were drawn to meet each other the following day. They did not wish to play against compatriots. Urgently arranged meetings followed; eventually it was decided a unified team could compete and would gain an entry to the penultimate round.

Japan emerged the semi-final adversaries, having beaten Ukraine, both camps agreeing to play a Unified Korea Team, thus making the judgement possible without animosity or grievance.

Fielding the tried and trusted combination of Kasumi Ishikawa, Miu Hirano and Mima Ito, a 3-0 win was recorded against the combination of Jeon Jihee, Kim Song I and Yang Haeun; a win that underlined the growing status of the outfit from the Land of the Rising Sun.

It was the third occasion in succession when Japan had reached the women’s team final at a World Championships, the notable fact being in Halmstad, en route to final they never surrendered a single match. In fact, in the final against China, a 3-1 defeat, Mima Ito surpassed all expectations by beating Liu Shiwen in the opening contest of the fixture.

Silver again for Japan but much more emphatic against other nations and closer to the mighty China.

Rekindled Halcyon Days

Equally with Mattias Falck, in those days known as Karlsson before he adopted his future wife’s name, primarily alongside Kristian Karlsson and Jon Persson, Sweden brought back memories of halcyon days by claiming men’s team bronze.

A 16 year old by the name of Truls Moregard, who was to perform heroics at the 2021 World Championships by reaching the final of the men’s singles, was included in the squad. However, he was selected by coach, Ulf Carlsson, for just one match. Against Egypt in the group phase, he beat Khalid Assar.

Sweden, who finished in second place in their group behind Germany, recorded an opening round 3-2 success against Chinese Taipei. Mattias Falck was the hero of the hour beating Chuang Chih-Yuan in the opening match, before in the decisive fifth encounter, accounting for Chien Chen-An to seal victory. The one further Swedish win was secured by Kristian Karlsson, in the second match of the engagement he overcame Chen Chen-An.

Undoubtedly, the win boosted confidence; a 3-0 quarter-final margin of victory was recorded against England’s Paul Drinkhall, Liam Pitchford and Sam Walker, bronze medallists, two years earlier in Kuala Lumpur.

Defeat in the penultimate round against China’s Fan Zhendong, Ma Long and Xu Xin was the outcome, the visitors were simply too strong; but it was a return to the podium after a long absence.

The last time Sweden had achieved a semi-final finish was in 2001 in Osaka when the likes of Jan-Ove Waldner, Jörgen Persson and Peter Karlsson, players from a golden era, were available for selection, the trio that had beaten China to lift the Swaythling Cup high the previous year in Kuala Lumpur.

Late Night Drama

Tension in the air but nothing could match the drama enacted on Thursday 3^rd May; a men’s team first round contest when Brazil came back from the depths of despair to overcome Croatia. Play commencing at 7.00 pm, proceedings finished so late that all the scheduled buses had left the premises.

Croatia established a 2-1 lead, the one Brazilian winner being Hugo Calderano against Tomislav Pucar; Hugo Calderano returned to the table to level matters by overcoming Andrej Gacina in a full distance duel. The scene was set; the most dramatic finish possible was witnessed, trailing two games to nil, Gustavo Tsuboi recovered from the very brink of despair in the third game, saving match point, to record a quite sensational five games success.

One round later, Brazil lost 3-1 against Germany, the one Brazilian winner being Hugo Calderano. In the opening match of the fixture, he overcame Bastian Steger (11-4, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6).

Franciso Arado at the helm in the coaching role, Brazil ended matters just one place short of a medal, a feat that in times gone by was well beyond their grasp; a new era for Latin America.

Now, in Chengdu can they climb even one step higher; likewise can Sweden do the same and in the women’s team can Japan mount the highest step all, the top step? If you believe who knows what might happen?