The 2009 Royal Trophy is practically upon us, with the anticipation built up over an extra year likely to reach fever pitch by the time the first shot is hit on Friday.

This promises to be the most closely-fought encounter so far between Asia and Europe, with both teams boasting a fascinating mix of experienced campaigners alongside some of the most exciting young players in the game.

Among the battle-hardened golfers in Joe Ozaki's powerful Asian line-up are the Thai duo of Prayad Marksaeng and Thongchai Jaidee, who are guaranteed massive home support at the exclusive Amata Spring Country Club. And after sharing an eye-catching combined five victories this season, the Thai golfers are in the ideal form to inspire Asia to a first Royal Trophy success.

They look the perfect pairing to send out first in Friday's Foursomes matches. If they continue the red-hot form they showed in 2008, they could give the home team crucial early momentum, and energise the crowd to get right behind the rest of the Asian players.

Captain Ozaki looks to have another ready-made partnership in his Japanese countrymen Toru Taniguchi - winner of his second Japan Golf Order of Merit title last year - and Hideto Tanihara, another dual champion in 2008.

The same phenomena applies to S.K. Ho - yet another 2008 multiple winner on the Asian Team with two recent victories in Japan - and fellow Korean Charlie Wi, who has made a big impact on the highly competitive US Tour over the past two years.

That would leave a mouth-watering pairing of the 'new kids on the block': 2007 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Liang Wen-chong of China and Japanese golf sensation Ryo Ishikawa.

Captain Ozaki will also consider selecting Ishikawa - the youngest ever winner of a top grade professional event last year when he was still a 15 year old amateur - alongside one of the more experienced Japanese players. But an Ishikawa-Liang alliance has a much bolder look to it, and it would certainly capture the imagination of the Asian supporters. They are both supremely talented young golfers, and if they click their natural daring and enthusiasm could be an irresistible combination.

The home team will clearly have a strong chance to outplay their European opponents on current form, as the eight players Captain Ozaki has selected registered no fewer than 11 victories between them in 2008.

The players selected by European Captain Jose Maria Olazabal certainly know how to win, as they have amassed 40 career victories between them.

The stand-out success of course was the Major championship win by Scotland's Paul Lawrie. The 1999 Open title was the undisputed highlight of his nine victories so far. Lawrie and his European team-mates will also enjoy an important advantage because of their greater experience of team match play. He is one of five men with Ryder Cup experience.

Another Player regarded as a very strong weapon for the Europeans is Irishman Paul McGinley, who famously holed the winning putt on his Ryder Cup debut in 2002. McGinley has now played in three Ryder Cups and two Royal Trophies - and finished on the winning side every time. He and Lawrie could easily team up in Bangkok.

The big-hitting Edfors will probably partner fellow Swede Niclas Fasth, another player with winning Ryder Cup experience. And the precociously talented young English duo of Nick Dougherty and Oliver Wilson should be sent out together. They have been friends and rivals since their days as top amateurs.

That would leave one of Europe's brightest hopes and 2008 Open de France winner Pablo Larrazabal of Spain to partner Soren Hansen, the ice-cool Danish player who made his Ryder Cup debut last September.

So who will it be - the team in form, or the team who know all about the format? Take your choice, because this contest looks much too close to call.