It was in 2007 that Indonesia last contested the final of the World Mixed Team Championships. Considering that the trophy is Indonesian in origin – it was donated by PBSI in honour of their founder and long-time administrator Dick Sudirman – the 18-year gap must seem inordinately long.

It was different in the early years, with Indonesia winning the first Sudirman Cup, that too on home soil, and then making the next three finals in a row. Overall, in the first 10 editions of the Sudirman Cup, Indonesia made the final no less than seven times.

It has been 18 years since their last final appearance, and it must rankle.

Heading to the TotalEnergies BWF Sudirman Cup Finals 2025, Indonesia do have a competitive team, although they are stronger in some categories than others. Their strength in men’s doubles stands out with the likes of Fajar Alfian, Muhammad Rian Ardianto, Leo Rolly Carnando, Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Daniel Marthin. While Jonatan Christie will be the men’s singles spearhead, the management has kept an eye on the next generation with Alwi Farhan and Moh Zaki Ubaidillah as back-up.

Indonesia can rely on plenty of experience in mixed doubles (Dejan Ferdinansyah, Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto, Rinov Rivaldy, Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja, Pitha Haningtyas Mentari), while in women’s singles, Putri Kusuma Wardani will be expected to step up.

The big name missing from the lineup is Apriyani Rahayu, and it will be up to players like Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma, Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi, Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti and Lanny Tria Mayasari to ride that challenge.

Denmark, despite missing Viktor Axelsen, have a team that can go far. With Anders Antonsen the spearhead in men’s singles, and Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in men’s doubles, the Danes will be confident of making each tie competitive.

Jesper Toft/Amalie Magelund have been one of the sensational stories of mixed doubles ever since they got together last June. Having won the Orleans Masters and the European Championships this year, Toft and Magelund have given an edge to the team. Line Kjaersfeldt can also be a feisty competitor on her day.

It is in women’s doubles that the Danes are in somewhat uncharted territory; following the retirement of long-time warriors Sara Thygesen and Maiken Fruergaard, Denmark have to field combinations from among Alexandra Boje, Natasja P Anthonisen and Amalie Cecile Kudsk.

Group D had initially looked the trickiest, particularly with Indonesia, Denmark and India appearing closely matched. However, with their strongest doubles players missing, and with a clutch of untested youngsters, India will hope they can punch above their weight, particularly if the singles (Lakshya Sen/HS Prannoy HS, Pusarla V Sindhu) deliver.

Like Indonesia, the last time England medalled was in 2007. In recent years they have struggled to make an impression at the major team events. England will have an eye on the future as they field several youngsters; their campaign will be led by Harry Huang (men’s singles) and Freya Redfearn (women’s singles), while in the other categories, they will look to Callum Hemming/Ethan van Leeuwen and Rory Easton/Alex Green (men’s doubles); Annie Lado, Abbygael Harris, Lizzie Tolman (women’s doubles) and Callum Hemming/Estelle van Leeuwen (mixed doubles).