“If God gives strength, I’m ready to play until I’m 45.” Interview with UNICS Captain Vorontsevich

charismatic Vorontsevich for a long time he was the leader of the multiple national champion CSKA. Today, the cheerful and resilient Cevich, as his friends call him, is one of the key figures in UNICS. Despite the fact that Andrei is almost 36 years old, he did not have time to get enough of basketball and is always ready to play and play.

In an interview with , Vorontsevich:

– explained the strength of the opponent of UNICS in the final and why they left CSKA behind;

– described the elements of Kazan’s success in matches with Loko;

– told in what field he could try himself after the end of his career;

– reflected on the life of Russian basketball without international competitions and suggested increasing the number of participants in the United League.

“Many probably expected to see Zenit and CSKA in the final”

– The series of seven games with Zenit in the semi-finals proved to be very energy-intensive. Have you spent a lot of effort and emotions?

– It’s true. The teams gave their all on the field. As in a series of semi-finals, and in another. But, of course, keeping the plot going until the last game is very important to the fans.

As for the emotions, when you reach the final, they overwhelm you. At the same time, you understand that this is a past stage, history, and that you already have to seriously prepare for the final. Because there are only two or three days left before the start of the series. So the day before we rejoiced, celebrated, and today we have to connect to the last matches.

– And how did you celebrate?

– After the decisive match, I went home (Laughs). I ate, phoned all my friends and acquaintances. Received many messages and calls with congratulations. Discussed with relatives details of past matches. They all spent a lot of energy to support us.

To all who were worried UNICS I would like to say a huge thank you! Because the energy of the fans contributed enormously to our victory.

– Do your current emotions differ from those who were in a similar situation when you played for CSKA? Still, the army team taught everyone to constantly participate in the finals, and for many fans of our basketball it has become something of a daily occurrence.

Emotions have always been very strong. And now, and when I played for CSKA. Participation in the tournament final is a big event for any club. Yes, for many people the advance of the army team in the final of the United League was predictable, but I will not stop repeating that behind such a success hides the excellent work of the whole club. Everyone wants to get there, but only a few make it.

Emotions are just as strong. And for me there is no difference here, you go to the final, speaking for CSKA or UNICS. Although for our team it is now a super task.

As for CSKA, it seems to many, they say, what’s wrong here? CSKA plays in the final every year. However, CSKA failed to do so. Although the players fought desperately, trying to achieve their goals. It’s a sport, there can be no predictable moments here, and the result depends on the work of the team. And now such a list of participants in the final, although many probably expected to see “Zenith” and CSKA.

“Maybe Loko plays well on the road, but I will say we are better at home”

– What impression did the series of CSKA and Loko leave? Why did Krasnodar finally succeed?

Both teams played incredible basketball. In the last game, apparently, luck was on Loko’s side. CSKA seemed to be leading quite confidently at one point. Nevertheless “Locomotive” prepared, things went well for them and managed to push the game into overtime. And in injury time, luck was on Krasnodar’s side. It seemed to me that CSKA should win this game, but luck smiled on Lokomotiv.

– Did you want to end up in the final with your former club?

– Yes it is. But it turns out how it turns out (Laughs). For me, the task was not to play with CSKA, but to reach the final, which we did. There are no weak teams at this stage, and here it doesn’t matter who to play with – CSKA or Lokomotiv. Loko is a strong opponent.

– How strong is it?

– Lokomotiv have talented players, they generally have a very balanced squad. There are a lot of young people. They are a very rushing team: if you don’t stop their counterattack, they will specifically run away (Laughs). They can play fast basketball if you let them scatter they can make it 3 points. They also have a lot of high, active and battling players. It seems to me that it will not be easy for us here, and this final will be one of the most interesting in the history of the United League.

– How should UNICS play in this series to be successful?

– First of all, you have to understand that we are in the final, and here the price of any mistake is very high. We have to play together, for each other, defend front to front, always be at the forefront of the attack, and also not worry, not overwork ourselves because the result weighs on us. You need to be both calm and relaxed. We need to put emotions aside and increase focus.

– How will the captain organize his teammates for the upcoming matches?

“As I told you, I will. Again, the price of any mistake can be very high. In the seventh game against Zenit, we won by one point. Make one more mistake, you could lose. We have to take that into account. You have to fight for every ball, not give up a single centimeter of the field, and be focused every 40 minutes of the game.

– The Lokomotiv guys say they already like to start the away streak. Because, despite the home advantage over Pari NN and CSKA, Krasnodar achieved success in these series. Moreover, they have won three matches away from the army team.

It may be easier for them to play on someone else’s court. They probably don’t feel any pressure there, unlike their arena, where there’s a tremendous sense of responsibility to the public.

Maybe Loko is playing well on the road, but I will say this: we are better at home (Laughs). I hope a full house will come together and cheer us on in the same way as in the games with Zenit. I will never tire of repeating and let this be my statement for centuries: “Our fans are our wings.” Without them, we couldn’t have reached the final.

– What are you ready for if UNICS becomes a champion?

“Oh, I don’t like all these promises that if someone wins they’ll shave their head, go brunette or blonde… I don’t understand these things. We must work, not make promises. One thing I can say with certainty: we are ready to give it our all. At this stage, we have everything to fight and play with Lokomotiv.

“In the absence of international tournaments, we have to pay attention to our championship and look at the countries that are ready to cooperate with us”

— This season has passed without international competitions. How were you without them?

– I feel, of course, that I want more games, more experience, but as it is, it is like that. We all fully understand these moments and build on them.

Since in the United League we have been offered up to four series wins, naturally that adds to the spectacle. In this period, it is very good. But we believe that one day we will have international tournaments again.

– When can this happen?

– I’m even afraid to guess, I don’t know. Nothing to say. As soon as possible. There can be no other answer.

– How did they perceive the fact that we are effectively banned from participating in the Olympics in the team events?

It is clear that this is politics. We hope that Asia will be on the agenda. We have to play with other teams. There are teams that want to play with our team. So you have to pay attention to your league, look at the countries that are ready to cooperate with us.

– That is to say, can the transition of our basketball to Asia be envisaged?

– Why not? If there are no other alternatives, you can consider. But only if you wish, of course. In its absence, you need to pay more attention to your league, add more teams to it. We have many clubs that can be included in the United League. Add and play more matches. We have many cities that are ready for this. So go ahead!

“Am I thinking of a career as a coach or a commentator? A talented person is talented in everything. Major — do everything with heart

– You are almost 36 years old. Do you plan to play more in the near future or do you plan to end your career?

I plan to play more. Now more than ever I feel good. Pa-pa-pah. If he’s playing, keep playing.

– How much strength, according to personal feelings, is still sufficient?

– Yes, who knows? God give me the strength to play until 45 – I will play until 45. As much as the Lord gives, I will play as much.

But at this stage, I’m not tired and fed up with the game. There is strength and desire. I will play as much as possible for me. It’s hard to guess here. The main thing is health and results. Here is the slogan of Andrei Vorontsevich.

– When you give instructions to your teammates during a match, it looks very convincing from the outside. Have you thought about a coaching career in the future?

– Why not? Maybe I could. I’m sure the experience I have can be passed on to the players. I try to do it even now, being at UNICS.

The moral support of each player is very important. We are all living beings, we all have emotions, and it is sometimes difficult to manage them. If more experienced comrades help, it becomes easier. I know it myself.

And now I try to help young people focus on team play. From the side of the captain, from the side of the “senior researcher”, as I call it, I try to explain all this in a good word and charge the guys with positive emotions. We will work and hope to succeed in the final.

I would also like to add that the United League is getting stronger every year. I hope that in the next seasons we will see new teams in the league, that the league grows. Look at the basketball! As commentators like to say, it really is the best ball game ever.

– Probably, you will make a good sports commentator. Can you imagine such a scenario?

“Yes, anything is possible. You understand that a talented person is talented in everything. The main thing is to do everything with your heart and not pretend. When you try to be something you’re not, that’s already a travesty. Therefore, it is important to do everything with heart and love, then for others you will be fair and honest.

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Watch live broadcasts of VTB United League matches on and other holding channels, as well as on sportbox.ru and matchtv.ru websites. The first two matches of the UNICS – Lokomotiv-Kuban series will be held on May 6 and 8 in Kazan.