‘Alekno cannot be substituted, he is the only one’: Zenit-Kazan presented its team for the season
A presentation of new players of Zenit-Kazan took place on Saturday in Kazan. A film about the achievements of the team in the last two seasons was shown in the event too. In addition, there was a press conference with the players, coaches and administration of the club. The sports staff of Realnoe Vremya tells what the presentation looked like and thinks about what season Zenit will have.
'We must show our power'
Zenit-Kazan could not win the Club World Championship in the last two seasons. It is a tournament that Vladimir Alekno's players has not won at the moment (at the moment is the key phrase). The Kazan players got two symbolic 'Grand Slams' in the last two years – the team becomes the champion of Russia, winner of the Russian Cup and Champions League every year.
What is more, Zenit showed a surprising statistics in the latest Championship of Russia – 77 wins against 12 (!) defeats! And they had problems only in the final game against Trentino. Just phenomenal results.
The club president Rafkat Kantyukov noted in the pre-seasonal presentation that Zenit's goals for the season is to defend its titles and finally become the world champion:
'We don't have big tasks, we just need to repeat the results. To win the Supercup, then wallop Brazil. The World Club Cup is the only trophy we don't have, and we did not use to play supporting roles. We must show our power. This is why the guys have a great desire to bring this cup from Brazil and then win the Championship of Russia, the Russian Cup, Champions League.'
'I will focus on the work at Zenit'
A presentation of the film about of Zenit's achievements in the last two seasons was shown in the event. The film was about how the Kazan players achieved such phenomenal success. Then new players were presented: libero Valentin Krotkov, middle blocker Artyom Volvich, outside hitter Denis Zemchenok and Vladimir Melnik.
Then a traditional pre-seasonal press conference with all players of the team, Vladimir Alekno and administration of the club was held later. Questions were mainly personal or far from the athletes' professional activity, of course. But it was quite interesting.
(Question for Vladimir Alekno) Does Zenit find it more interesting to play with many clubs in the world championship or is it an extra load on the team?
It will be tougher, of course. Trentino is a very good team. It is a very serious team. It will add pressure to achieve a result. We should not discuss whether it is tougher or easier. There is a task, we go there to complete it.
(Question for Verbov) Aleksey, share your impressions of your debut as a coach.
It is new experience for me, for Vladimir Romanovich (Editor's Note: Alekno). We call this idea an adventure. I would like to thank Alekno for this opportunity, the administration of the club for accepting our ideas, fans for support and the team that did not let me down and did their job very well.
(Question for Vladimir Alekno) When will Verbov substitute you as a head coach of Zenit?
I will be very glad if he succeeds in his coaching career and becomes a strong coach. I will be glad to participate in it a bit. As for my substitution for him, let's wait and see.
Rafkat Kantyukov (president of Zenit). 'As for the substitution, I will make this decision (smiling). You could directly ask me about it. We discussed it many times. He will be a coach when the time comes. There is a desire. An athlete's life short, but then this person needs to live, do something. Vladimir Romanovich has been promising it for a long time, so he is paving the way now. Alekno cannot be substituted, he is the only one. But I wish Verbov to become a good coach.
(Question for Aschev) New players join the team every year. Is there any initiation ceremony for new players?
I would not say there is any ceremony. We just greet everyone and wish luck in the new team. That's it.
(Question for Oleg Bryzgalov) Have you planned any events to make the team more popular?
Yes, we have already got them. I will say you that we are critical of the results in this field of the work of our club. Nevertheless, our page, work in social networks and the club TV work very well. The whole country and the world express their great interest in the team. The mass media also speaks well and much of the work. We don't think billboards and posters are needed to make the club well known. It is a small part. There are other places and means that are more efficient for promoting the image of the club. I suppose we are doing it well, but there is room for growth.
After the main part of the event, the head coach of the Kazan players Vladimir Alekno answered the questions of the journalists.
You have already told your future in the national team has not been discussed yet. However, the president of the Russian Volleyball Federation Stanislav Shevchenko said there would be a contest for filling the vacancy.
I thought I was not able to talk about the national team of Russian with journalists without a prior conversation with the administration of the volleyball federation. But, according to their comments, they have another opinion. It means the decision was made. And I will focus on the work at Zenit then.
In your opinion, who are the main rivals of the World Club Championship?
I know little about the second team of Argentina at the moment. But judging by what I've already seen, they are Cruzeiro and Trentino. But now we are thinking about the upcoming match for the Russian Super Cup – we play with Moscow Dynamo on 27 September. To tell the truth, Zenit is not in its best shape now. Matthew Anderson has just arrived. Players of the national team and the rest of the squad are in different states. We will try to correct some moments quickly to make our fans happy.
Will Zenit win all trophies?
The Championship of Russia is the easiest goal for Zenit. Alekno's players are not supposed to have problems there. At least, it seems so now. They are not meant to have problems in the Russian Cup where the team is focused on itself and its actions – wallop everyone. In the Champions League, Zenit will go through the group stage easily. Then everything will turn on its rival. A three-time best club of Europe is an incredible goal. Europe has many teams who are able to stop the 'Kazan car' as well as in the Club World Championship, which is probably a priority for Zenit in this season.
This season promises to be very hot. However, in case of misfortune, the team will be criticised by the press and its fans. We hope there will be many reasons to be proud of Zenit in May 2017.
