FRENCH INTERCLUBS – Indonesians help IMBC win title

If Flandy Limpele wasn’t there to help the Parisians – he is a member of the reknowned club and helped them during the regular season – IMBC didn’t need his help for the play-off weekend that closed the regular season. Captain Cintya Tuwankotta – a former national  team player – helped by Arif Rasidi, national coach for France, Agus Sugimin, and Inoki Theopilus, all Indonesians – made it quite easy for Issy. Also, they were backed up by France’s elite team members Sebastien Vincent and Elisa Chanteur to make it a sure win over Bordeaux in spite of losing their first two men’s singles.

Issy finally won 5-2 out of the 8 possible matches and was able to rejoice on the podium with their usual team spirit.  However, St Bruno (photo), a team in the suburbs of Bordeaux, can still be satisfied with their performance of the week end after their unexpected victory in the semi-final against another Parisian team, the Lagardere Paris Racing, which features players like top French star Laura Choinet, Belgian wonder Fred Mawet, England’s reigning champion Jill Pittard and German born Karen Huckstaedt.  The odds were against Bordeaux as France’s number one star, Pi Hongyan, was injured and could only coach and pray for her team-mates to win.  They did so, showing amazing team spirit.  Racing Lagardere had to settle for bronze after beating the locals ASPTT Strasbourg, who had lost Dicky Palyama the previous season, and with Christopher Langridge unable to make it.

The large number of spectators enjoyed a great show, with the organizers having set a splendid competition for the 30th anniversary of the Alsace league. Local clubs have also shown their generosity by collecting 1000 € for Solibad – Badminton without Borders, the French-based charity foundation.

Final results:

Gold medal: Issy Les Moulineaux bt. Union St Bruno  5-2
Bronze medal: Lagardere Paris Racing bt. ASPTT Strasbourg  5-3