Time again for some speculations on the Bad Münder results based on the nominations we seen in the last weeks.
Starting with the ladies:
Germany will in my eyes take the gold. Even though the team that was nominated contained a bit surprisingly two girls in last year’s junior team, still Bianca and Anne will be the solid base these you girls will need.
Sweden is lacking both Sara Karlsson and Lina Liljegren in the team and will have a hard time fighting for silver together with Austria and the Czech Republic. Austria will miss Lisa Gruber and Manuela Zojer and will have a tough time in Bad Munder. Switzerland will not be there at all and Italy is not enough sharp on felt. Jana and Karolina might lead the Czech team to a great result. Actually it can lead all the way to silver.
My guess for the medal podium looks like follows:
Teams ladies:
1. Germany
2. Czech Republic
3. Sweden
Individually stroke play ladies:
1. Bianca Zodrow, Germany
2. Annika Dellmann, Germany
3. Frida Elmdahl, Sweden
In the men's competition I must say that probably the German team will finally have their win against the Swedes on felt. All the signs are pointing in that direction. First of all the Germans have a real world class line-up with Marcel Noack, Achim Braungart-Zink, the Erlbruch brothers, Dennis Kapke, Alexander Geist and Marco Templin. Then also the Germans have a big advantage that the felt course in Bad Münder will not be so rewarding for the great felt players. The difference between a great felt player and a good one will not be much noticed.
I think actually that the only thing that could beat this team is a dream start from the Swedes like happened in Stockholm. But even if the Swedes can surprise with a great start I think the Germans will win this 9 out of 10 times.
The team from Sweden will be equally big favorites for the silver as the Germans are for the gold. This team is actually a better team than I guess many of the continental Europe readers think. OK, Carl-Johan Ryner is not there, Anders Olsson is not there, Jonas Gustafsson is not there. But apart from that it’s a good team. Lars Brown will together with Filip Svensson and Filip Johansson be in top 10 individually. Fredrik Persson might actually win the individual title.
Then it’s up to Ulf Kristiansson and the new-comers to deliver. Andreas Frejborn is ranked 3 overall in Sweden so he is really sharp player. And moving to Tantogården has been a breakthrough for Dan Trulsson, but he needs to deliver more constantly on a high level to be in top positions internationally.
Austria looks like favourites for the bronze. The Swiss team has usually a more difficult time on felt due to not playing on this surface so much on home ground. This will also be the case for most of the Italians. Actually I think the Finish team will have a real good chance on fourth position.
Teams men:
1. Germany
2. Sweden
3. Austria
Individually stroke play men:
1. Fredrik Persson, Sweden
2. Marcel Noack, Germany
3. Filiph Svensson, Sweden