After Aliona Savchenko, the 2000 World Junior champion (with Stanislav Morozov), told a German journalist she was looking for a partner, he spoke to German coaches and suggested Szolkowy, whom she recognized from a competition. In May 2003, Savchenko and Szolkowy had a successful tryout in Chemnitz, Germany. Three months later, she relocated to Germany and the new team began training in earnest with former World champion Ingo Steuer as their coach. When they first teamed up, they had to adjust to the fact that they had been taught different basics. They also had communication difficulties — he spoke German and English while she knew only Russian.