Only Zenit can win against ‘Barcelona’ from Kazan

Undoubtedly, the popularization of volleyball was the main goal of the impressing volleyball event. According to CEV's plan, as much as possible matches, which would consist of one set up to 29 points, are to be played during 24 hours from 0:01 to 23:59 on 29 February. I personally counted five such matches inside St. Petersburg but I'm not sure whether it was an accurate number…

Players of women's volleyball clubDynamo-Kazan Elena Gendel, Anna Matienko and Elitsa Vasileva opened the event. Leggy beauties demonstrated to the fans how they can serve, receive the ball, how to pass the ball to your partner better – such an elementary volleyball enlightenment called masterclass. So, the volleyball evening started with them. But the three players felt uncomfortable on court. This is why young girls entertained the stands.

Zenit was divided into two teams. Zenit-1 put on blue T-shirts, Zenit-2 had white ones.

About how Zenit fought against itself

The women ended their performance. It's time for men. And the masters of Zenit – this team was at full strength (except Maksim Mikhailov and Aleksey Verbov) – showed their mastery to the fans. Not being afraid of gender accusations, I just state that men's possibilities are different by nature, though they demonstrated the same serves, receipts, blocks and passes.

But the most interesting thing was when Zenit was divided into two teams. Zenit-1 put blue T-shirts on and Zenit-2 had white ones. The first team looked more solid: Matthew Anderson, Andrey Aschev, Aleksey Spiridonov, Aleksander Gutsalyuk, Vladislav Babichev. The second team was headed by nonpareil Wilfredo Leon together with Theodore Salparov, Aleksey Kuleshov, Igor Kobzar, Ivan Demakov plus a couple of players of the second team. It was curious to see a duel of two superattackers, outside hitters American Anderson and Cuban Leon, who has a Polish citizenship now. Even historical analogues suggest itself. But no politics in sport! A dispute of liberos – a veteran of Kazan volleyball Babichev (he has been playing in the team since 2000) and Bulgarian Salparov as well as in other positions.

But Zenit-2 took the lead from the very beginning, Leon is Leon: aces, traditional bone-rattling attacks – as adults. Briefly, the whites hold the lead during practically the half of the set. But time went by, and Leon was also blocked, the fight was equalized. It was not possible to guess who would be the winner, 25-25. But Leon's shots resulted in victory of Zenit-2 – 29-26.

It was not an easy task to catch the citizen of the Island of Freedom. The thing is that our girls like Cuban boys, so that Leon had to take photos with many fans. And your correspondent had to wait…

Leon: 'the Castro brothers like baseball'

It is no surprise that the first and the second questions were about women.

Do you like such a mass attention of women?

All men like it! It is normal for me, it is not bad for the team, and it is important too.

Volleyball is popular here but not as much as hockey or basketball. There is a room for improvement: new teams in different cities might be created, it would make our game more popular.

Where are the most beautiful women: in Latin America, Europe or Russia?

Oh, that's a very difficult question for me. I don't want to answer where because I don't want to offend somebody. There is a huge amount of places in the world where beautiful women live…

What are your expectations of the return match with Polish Lotos Trefl?

We are concentrated and have a good mood for this game. We have strength. We are to win, but it is unknown how – quickly or slowly.

The national team of Poland is the reigning world champion. Do Polish clubs correspond to the level of the national team?

Yes, their team is good. But I think that our team will be stronger…

Is Zenit the strongest team in the world?

Yes, it is. Although we have not won the title of the world club champions. But we are one of the strongest clubs of the planet.

Spiridonov said that the defeated team was to invite the winner to a restaurant. Have you chosen where to go?

Not yet, we'll see…

What will you have on the table: Cuban rum, Mexican tequila, Russian vodka or water?

At this moment, we'll have only juice and water. The season is in progress, and we need a great concentration…

And after that?

Only rum! Rum, of course.

Your personal Instagram account has appeared. Is it yours?

Yes, this time, it is mine. I created it three days ago.

Is volleyball popular in Russia? What should we do to make more popular?

Volleyball is popular here but not as much as hockey or basketball. There is a room for improvement: new teams in different cities might be created, it would make our game more popular.

'People like baseball, so, baseball is probably the most popular game. I've seen many times photos how the Castros play baseball…' Photo: bbc.co.uk

What kind of sport is the most popular in Cuba?

It is difficult to say because there is a slump in many sports. People like baseball, so, baseball is probably the most popular game.

What about the Castro brothers? What kind of sport do Fidel and Raul prefer?

Baseball. I've seen many times photos how the Castros play baseball…

Have you risked skiing or ice-skating in Russia?

Seriously? [waving his hands] No, of course. My contract also doesn't allow it…

Safarov is attacking!

After talks to the players of Zenit, the attention of the spectators was drawn to the main arena to solid people with T-shirts gravely walking to the court. It was the third match of the evening, and again the blues vs. the whites. The blues were represented by the coaches and bosses of Zenit, the head of the Administration of the President of the republic Asgat Safarov – the attacker, the head coach of the team Aleksander Serebrennikov and the vice-president of the club Ilkham Rakhmatullin. Boys of the sports school of the club born in 1998-1999 risked playing against such a solid team. They risked and were defeated, so experience won against youth.

The veterans thought it was not enough, so that they played with the referees! Having rested after the fight with the veterans, the juniors ended the evening with a match against the referees.

Group photos, autographs, answers to questions – the fans gave correct answers to all questions. The most difficult one was to name the city Anderson came from to Kazan (New York). The stands easily answered to the questions about the number of title of Zenit (7), the name of the head coach of the team and the president of the club (Rafkat Kantyukov) and the capacity of the big hall of the arena (4,500)…

We had a serious training. I think that it was quite a good match; they played during one hour against each other. It is not a show, definitely…

Vladimir Alekno: 'It is not just a show'

And we could know the opinion of the mentor of the veteran team (and head coach of the national team and Zenit) Vladimir Alekno about the coming game with Poland…

Is there any cause for concern?

Concerning the players' physical state only. Somebody always has something to complain about. I hope nothing will happen.

Did you completely fulfil the plan on the first match in Gdansk?

Everything was fine both in terms of the score [3-1 in favour of Kazan] and work.

Did you prepare anything for your rival taking account the first match?

We did. We analyzed the game in Gdansk, watched the game of Lotos Trefl in the Championship of Poland on 28 February. The only thing is clear: our opponent is in motion, so we will prepare. There are things to be get prepared for.

Did this get-together like today, when the team was divided into two squads, benefit or was it just a show for the spectators?

It is taken as a whole. We had a serious training. I think that it was quite a good match; they played during one hour against each other. It is not a show, definitely…