Easter Break

Hi Everyone,

After a very tough weeks training last week I took the weekend off just to relax a bit. Although I did end up on the court on Sunday morning for fun. I just can’t keep away from the courts.
I started training again this morning which involved basically the same routine as last week. Plenty of running, weights, bike and on court sessions. I played Peter Rasmussen this morning. Every now and again we meet up from a friendly on court battle and the former world champion beat me in three sets. I feel im playing really well at the moment and pretty confident about my game. I just need a few games under my belt now and my club game tomorrow night against Odense should give me that. We have already sealed promotion so there is no pressure on tomorrow night.
I’m heading home to Dublin on Thursday for 2 days and then back to Denmark again straight after that.
I have yet to decide what tournaments im going to play, if any, over the next few weeks but as it stands right now The Europeans is my goal and maybe I will fit one or two other tournaments in around that. But as I said that is all up in the air at the moment.
Once again thank you all for your support and in particular I would like to thank Liam (you know who you are) for his generous support and its people like him and others that are close to me that make all the effort worth while.
The Olympic flame is on its way now to Beijing so the countdown begins.

All the best

Scott.

Training Hard and Gentofte for Next Season

Hello Everyone,

This week I have been primarily focused on a rigid physical fitness routine. I need to get fitter than I am right now to compete at the top level. I have been running every day and weights three times a week to. This coupled with game play morning noon and night has me in the grove again.
I have my final league match next week against Odense but it’s really a formality as we have gained promotion. On that note I am delighted to announce that I have signed a new contract with Gentofte for next year so I’m really looking forward to playing premier league badminton with them. I have really enjoyed my time at the club and I’m happy to be here again for another year.
I also started Danish lessons this week so before long I will be able to talk crap in two languages….. LOL. I’m still suffering a bit with this tummy thing so I’m off to the doctor again now to see what next step is. It’s certainly not as bad as it was but its still there and niggling at me. Hopefully its nothing to serious and I can keep training.

That’s all for now folks

Scott

Visit to the Doctor

Hello Everyone,

Over the past few weeks I have been suffering a bit with a dodgy tummy with regular visits to the loo at irregular times required. Need I say anymore :)
I decided to pay a visit to the doctor yesterday to get it checked out and without going into to much detail he has prescribed me tables for some sort of inflammation in my tummy area.
I will also have to do a few tests and have already given a few samples to see can we get to the bottom of this.
Its not really effecting me as I play but has me up half the night so my sleep pattern is all over the place.
I'm the meantime I will keep working hard for the Europeans which are coming up soon and might make a decision on a EBU tournament after that to get some match practise.
And a holiday to...............Just planned one for May which will be a well earned break.

Scott

A Break Now to Re Focus My Efforts

Hi All,

Another disappointing result in Switzerland after been beaten the the first round of qualifiers by Pablo Abian of Spain. I played ok and though I had him on the racks after I levelled it up at 20-20 in the second set after been 20-16 down. But then I made a silly error by serving into the net to give him the point and he followed that up with a match point win.
Just not really happening for me at the moment but I know I have the right people around me to get me through this bad patch. I have to be able to take the rough with the smooth and I am really learning from this experience.
Whats next for me...... Well its a well earned break now. By a break I mean a tournament break. Im going to concentrate on working and working hard to get ulta fit and get my mind fit to. I know all the shots are there its just a matter of staying focused and putting the work in and I know and believe it will all come good in the end.
My next tournament will be the Europeans which are being held here in Denmark and after that well its time to focus on the big one in August.... The Olympics.

On a ligther note............Isnt it better to get the bad games out of the way now before Beijing rolls around!!

But Im here and im fighting and I will continue to fight and give it my all. All we have to do is look at Tine Rasmussen and how she has come back from a ruptured Achilles in 2006 to win 2 Super Series events this year and 3 in a twelve month period.

We can achieve anything if we put our mind to it.

Thats all for now.

Thanks for all your support to date

Scott

Swiss Super Series

Hello Everyone,

Apologies for being a bit quiet this week but I have been working really hard on my game in preparation for the Swiss SS. Im in Basle now and Im really looking forward to playing. Im just going to go out and enjoy myself this week and see what happens.
Training went really well after I got back from All England's. I have a bit of a sore throat which is annoying me but right now I just want to get out and play.
I will keep you posted as to how things go. I play Pablo Abian of Spain in the opening round of qualifiers tomorrow so log onto www.tournamentsoftware.com for all the live, as they happen, results.

Scott

Early Exit in Birmingham

Scott was beaten by Kasper Odeum of Denmark in the opening qualifying round of The All England’s in Birmingham this afternoon. In a match that lasted an hour The Dane ran out victorious in three sets 18-21 21-18 21-12.
Scott took the opening set with some precise attacking play and was leading for much of the second set until the Dane clawed it back to 16-16. Odeum then won 4 points without reply to go 20-16 up and took the second against the run of play. The tall Dane’s confidence was high and he powered home in the third set and ran out winner by two sets to one.

All England's Preview

Its Super Series time once again and this time it’s the blue riband event of the All England’s which takes place in Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena starting Tuesday next 4th March.
Scott has been handed a tough draw in the qualifiers where he takes on Kasper Oedum of Denmark (WR 61) in the opening game. Should Scott advance through that match he will more than likely be matched up against the in form Dutch favourite Dicky Palyama (WR 34) in round two of qualifiers. If Scott is to take his place in the first round proper of the tournament his final qualifier game will more than likely be against world number 59 Tommy Sugiarto who beat Scott last week in the opening round of the German Grand Prix.
The reward for making it through the qualifiers will be a match against Britain’s top male shuttler Andrew Smith who himself has suffered a serious lack of form in recent months. Smith cannot be looking forward to meeting any of the players coming through this section of qualifying and if it should be Scott it is a real chance for his first ever Super Series first round win.
You can follow all the action at www.tournamentsoftware.com and keep and eye on www.badzine.info for regular tournament reports and as always visit Scott’s blog and website for match reports.