A top-three finish, which would qualify them for a place in next year's European Championships, is the target for the Irish badminton team in the Helvetia Cup, which gets under way today in Lisburn. Ireland are one of four seeded teams in the 13-nation tournament, along with Poland, Spain and Portugal, and must finish top of their group, ahead of Iceland and Slovenia, if they are to reach Sunday's final or the third-fourth place play-off.
Coach Ray Stephens has selected an experienced team, the same line-up that beat a young England side in Dublin earlier this month. Michael Watt and Sonya McGinn will play in the singles matches, with McGinn teaming up with Jayne Plunkett in the women's doubles and brothers Mark and Bruce Topping competing in the men's. Donie O'Halloran and Elaine Kiely are likely to fill the mixed doubles' slot. The Irish open their campaign against Iceland this morning (10.0) and play Slovenia this afternoon (5.0), a match where Maja Pohar, the European number two, is likely to get an early chance for revenge over McGinn, who beat her in the semi-finals of last weekend's Portuguese Open.
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