On the eve of the start of the new VTB United League season, the general director of Zenit St. Petersburg answered questions from . Alexander Tserkovny.
— How would you assess Zenit’s performance in the recent VTB United League Super Cup?
– Ambiguous. On the one hand, we failed to defend the title and there are injuries. On the other hand, we had excellent sparring sessions before the start of the regular season and were able to develop our squad in combat conditions.
— How do you think the new arrivals behaved?
— It’s still difficult for the beginners. Too little time has passed to give any kind of evaluation. Six new players, some of whom have been in the team for two weeks and others for only one week.
— Evaluate the transfer campaign before the new season.
“We tried to do our job as best we could and take into account all the mistakes from previous seasons. That’s all we can say for now.
— Did you manage to invite everyone you had planned?
“We managed to invite everyone, but we couldn’t sign.”
— Ertel left the team…
— Thomas is a very high-level player. This is a forced step linked to the restructuring of the team.
– At the same time, Karasev, Fraser, Hunter remained. Can we say that, on the whole, Zenit has retained its leaders?
— Zenit has retained everyone it expected to see in the team for the new season.
Also, Trent Frazier signed a three-year deal. A young player, one of the best at his position in the United League, who continues to improve. That suits us perfectly.
— How would you assess the prospects in the main team of Yegor Ryzhov’s student, who was included in the main team of Zenit-2?
— Yegor has a great chance. Now it is important for him to take advantage of it and prove that he is ready to be a first-team player. We will of course help him in this.
— What is the role of Andrei Vorontsevich, 37, in the team?
— The position of the power forward is currently very problematic in Russian basketball. There are practically no experienced top players. There are promising youngsters, including in the Zenit system, but it takes time.
For us, Andrey, I think, is the best choice. We were interested in his experience and skills. He wants to try his hand at Zenit and work under the leadership of Javier Pascual.
— At the end of last season, there was a lot of talk about the fact that for Pascual, it could be his last at Zenit. How did this situation arise on your side?
“These conversations take place every season throughout our cooperation. Most of it is the product of rumors and speculation. The club and the coach make informed and thoughtful decisions. We work, and when the time comes to discuss the future, we discuss it.
— When and how did it become clear that Pascual would lead the team for the new season?
— Immediately after the end of the season, we conducted negotiations, took time to discuss and adjust the details. And in early July, we signed the contract.
— Sergey Karasev will be the team captain for the new season, isn’t that logical?
– Absolutely logical. In my opinion, at Zenit, Sergei grew as a player and as a person. He became a leader on the field and an authority off it.
— How do you assess the new VTB United League format? Does it have any advantages and disadvantages compared to last year?
– Positive. Zenit is one of those clubs that proposed and voted for the new format. More games, a fluid championship will allow for a better distribution of forces throughout the season, and more chances to play with youngsters. Previously, when dividing after the first stage into groups, the leading clubs actually started a playoff format, where you had to win every game, and it was similar to a derby, on which your position in the playoff bracket depended.
— Zenit is again facing the highest tasks. How would you assess the chances of their implementation?
— Zenit has no other tasks. We tried to do everything to have a strong and ready team for combat. The season will show what our chances are to achieve the final result.
Watch VTB United League matches on and the holding’s channels, as well as on matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru websites. The new season of the tournament starts on September 21.
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Source : MatchTV
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