“The role of foreign players in United League teams is unfortunately higher than that of Russian players.” Interview with Zoran Lukic

Sunday in Moscow for the men Russian team became the winner of the Fonbet Friendship Cup tournament. Russia – Africa. Team Zoran Lukic won victories over teams from Tunisia and Libya. And these games cannot be called passing games, unlike the matches of the summer tournament in Perm, where the ninth or tenth Colombian team arrived. In any case, we certainly cannot say the same about the match against the winner of the last two AfroBaskets, Tunisia, where the match went into extra time.

spoke with the head coach of the Russian national team about the results of the mini-tournament.

From the interview with Zoran Lukic you will learn:

— This time, our team’s opponents at the Friendship Cup were stronger than in the summer. Can we say that this experience was more useful and constructive than the tournament in Perm, where the weak Colombian team came?

– You know, now we played two different games. With Tunisia, there may have been pressure somewhere. Our level of basketball was therefore very low. Well, in the match against Libya the guys were already more relaxed and understood the mistakes made in the first match. We even attacked with a very good percentage.

I am happy to have now found playing time for young basketball players. But as always, there is something to work on, there are mistakes and we need to do less.

Generally speaking, I can say that the meetings with Tunisia and Libya were very useful. And in general, any game today is very useful for our team. The fact that we have the opportunity to play is a big plus for us.

— What grade would you give your team for the last tournament?

– Let’s do it without judgment. The ratings are given by the bosses and you can question them. I understand where exactly mistakes are made and how to correct and correct all this – for me this is the most important thing.

— What can you say about playing for the national team of young Ilya Ermakov?

— He’s still a long way from serious basketball, but he certainly has talent. In the future, if Ermakov develops correctly, he has a chance to become one of those players on whom the Russian national team can rely.

— This time you invited experienced Anton Astapkovich and Alexander Gankevich to the team. What strength have they added to the team?

— First of all, I am very grateful to the guys for immediately expressing their desire to play for the national team in this tournament and help the team. They are players with a lot of experience.

During these three years, we rarely attract experienced basketball players to the team. But probably, in the future, when there are games, we will do it. Because they too feel a big break regarding the national team matches. Of course, Astapkovich and Gankevich strengthened the team. There is no doubt about it. It’s time to invite [опытных игроков].

— Andrei Vorontsevich and Semyon Antonov told me that they did not finish their careers in the national team, so if you invite them to the national team, they will be happy to answer you.

– I don’t doubt it. But they are already very, very, very experienced players. I’m glad they want to play for the national team, it’s nice to hear such words. But for now, at this stage, I am not going to invite them, because they already have enough playing time in their clubs, and it seems to me that they do not really need additional load at the moment. But if Andrey and Semyon have a very big desire [сыграть за сборную]then no problem.

— Stanislav Eremin said that it would be good if, in addition to the main Russian team, the country’s youth team also took part in the Friendship Cup.

— Well, some young players have received training now. But to change so suddenly… It’s too soon. Let’s see what will happen in the future, what opportunities there will be. Today, two young basketball players have gained experience. I’m happy for them. Probably, someone else will have such a gaming experience. Everything needs to be done step by step. I understand Eremin’s desire. Indeed, it is important to monitor young basketball players.

But understand that the fact that some of our basketball players receive little playing time at their clubs is also important now. For example, Sasha Shcherbenev practically does not play for Zenit. Now we have given him the opportunity to feel the game. This is very important. And Andrei Lopatin does not always succeed in Kazan. Let the basketball players also train thanks to the national team. I am satisfied with the attitude of our players and the chemistry that reigns in the team.

— Are the next national team matches scheduled for the February international window?

— Our next training camp is scheduled for February, but it is too early to say how it will take place, what matches are expected, how realistic it is.

— You said that by the New Year or after you will be able to manage a club and combine that with working for the national team. Are you already close to it?

– No, I can’t say that yet, because I haven’t solved my family problems yet. Now they have just been decided. When I decide, I will be ready. I hope everything will be decided by January.

— How satisfied are you with the current season in the VTB United League?

– I’m watching him closely. The matches are quite interesting, but the level of the championship has perhaps dropped a little. We even notice which clubs have internal problems. However, I hope everything works out.

But what worries me the most, as a coach of the national team, is that Russian players gain as much experience as possible in their teams. This season, unfortunately, there are fewer than before.

— So the Russians now have less playing time than last season?

— Yes, but it’s not so much a question of time as the role of Russian players in their teams. The role of the legionnaires is now more important, and this is striking.

More sports news in our telegram channel .