Last week, members of the Russian national team have been training at Badminton Europe’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) ahead of the European Mixed Team Championships.
Vladimir Malkov and Ekatrina Bolotova have joined up with players from the CoE for the week prior to the event in Copenhagen.
Russia is in a group alongside England, Germany and Ireland, as they look to impress and possibly pull off a shock.
Satisfied with the CoE
The CoE is waiting to move into the new centre later this year, which will allow more players to both join the centre and to just train for time periods.
- We have used a break in our tournament schedule to improve our badminton level, Malkov said.
- Why not use this opportunity, when the CoE is situated close to Moscow and our national team preparation will start this weekend, he added.
- We have made some intensity practice to increase our explosive and special stamina characteristics. We feel quite satisfied and we believe that good things will come of it, he added.
"I will be returning"
Malkov speaking about his return to the centre revealed that it will not be too long before he is back.
- I am planning come back to the CoE straight after the German Open for preparation for the Swiss Open tournament together with players from the COE, he said,