KUALA LUMPUR: As group winners, European champions Denmark are assured of a seeding in the quarter-finals of the Thomas Cup in Chengdu.
On Tuesday, the mighty vikings were given a run for their money, but still walked with a 3-2 win over Malaysia in the final Group D tie at the Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre.
World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen drew first blood when defeated Lee Zii Jia 21-16, 24-22 in the highly anticipated first singles match.
Former men's doubles world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik levelled the score when they saw off Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen 17-21, 21-17, 21-16.
The Danes went ahead again, this time through newly crowned European champion Anders Antonsen, who made quick work of former Asian junior champion Leong Jun Hao 21-14, 21-10.
Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani made it 2-2 after defeating Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard 23-21, 22-20 in the second doubles match.
In the end experience won it for Denmark.
World No. 26 Rasmus Gemke, despite being dragged to the deciding game, managed to carve out a 21-13, 19-21, 21-13 win over 20-year-old debutant Justin Hoh.
By virtue of finishing second in the group, Malaysia are also through to the knockout stage.
A new draw for the last eight will be conducted on Wednesday after the conclusion of the group ties.