2 Aug 2008 - Sprudel Cup 2008

The 2007 Sprudel Cup Champions, Solihull & Shirley Badminton Club, returned to Germany to defend their crown. This is an International tournament organised by Bad Soden Salmuenster with over 130 participants. On the first day of doubles, Paul Harris successfully defended the mixed title with Sabrina Staats in a tense final. After initially losing the first game, 21-15, they came back to win 21-15, 22-20 in the last 2 games. Solihull & Shirley dominated the Men's doubles with16 year old, Andrew Wainwright teaming up with Joe Hulse to beat fellow compatriots, Seb Drury & Paul Harris in the Men's final to add another title to the English team. The next day, it was the turn for singles. Andrew was in superb form to beat last year's finalists Joe Hulse & Michael Schmitz (Bad Soden, Germany) to reach this year's final. It was a hard-fought final in which Andrew was unlucky not to pick up another title for the team.

 Points for the cup are awarded for the numbers of wins plus the number of players within the team. This meant that although the team had another successful year, a team turning up with 17 players ended up winning the cup this year.