Badminton
Kenny Middlemiss, Scotland's most-capped player, may make his swansong in the European Championships which begin at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow two weeks today. Middlemiss, 35, should by then have extended his record haul of caps to 155 having played against Wales, France and Portugal in their difficult second division group.
Relegated in Bulgaria at the last championships two years ago, Scotland need to win all three matches and then a play-off to gain promotion. ''If we get the home crowd behind us we can do it,'' insists Middlemiss. ''After all we pulled off shock wins over the Dutch and Australians at the previous European and world championships when they were in Glasgow.''
Middlemiss and his men's doubles partner Russell Hogg both played in the last European senior event hosted by Scotland back in 1992 and lead an experienced team with no surprises.
The only concession to players controversially left out of the recent Thomas Cup campaign has been the addition of Longniddry teenager Robert Blair for the individual championships from April 25 to 29. Blair, a student at Loughborough University, has been showing good doubles form, reaching the final of the mixed in the last grand slam tournament in England.
There is still no place for Denmark-based Scottish singles runner-up Alun Biggart. Team:
B Flockhart, R Hogg (both Dunfermline), A Gatt, K Middlemiss (both Edinburgh), C Robertson (Fauldhouse); F Sneddon (Lochgelly), S Watt (Edinburgh), K McEwan (Tillicoultry), A Blanchflower, S Hughes (both Glasgow); individual championships: R Blair (Longniddry).
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