Milos Nikic
Milos why after four seasons in Italy you decided to move to Russia?
“When I first started playing volleyball at professional level I immediately went to the Italian championship. Now, when I have gained good experience of playing the game at a high level, I want to try to play in another championship. In the Italian championship there is a few top-level teams, the others are much weaker clubs. A Russian championship is the strongest in the world! Extra proof: the “gold” of Russian team at the Olympics in London and the victory of the Russian club in the Champions League.”
Lokomotiv NOVOSIBIRSK invites you in the offseason?
“Yes Lokomotiv NOVOSIBIRSK offers me contract. Lokomotiv was looking for a third foreign player for the Champions League. But if I agreed to this role I couldn’t participate in the Russian league. But I wanted to play in the national championship. So when there was an offer from the Nizhny Novgorod I gladly accepted it, refusing a few options with other foreign (non-Russian) clubs.”
Before coming to the Nizhny Novgorod you communicated with Kovacevic, who played in Nizhny Novgorod team last season?
“I played with Nikola Kovacevic six years for the Serbian national team and, of course, maintain friendly relations. I learned from him about the new place, where I was playing. Nicola spoke warmly about the club and the city. I remember him saying that in Nizhny Novgorod live very beautiful girls that come to volleyball matches to root for the team. And Nizhny Novgorod is a beautiful city, especially the upper part. The only thing I do not like is the prolonged Russian winter.”
You came to Nizhny Novgorod where the team has already played the first stage cup tournament. It was hard to be in the new team, do not go to preseason?
“Yes, it was quite hard. Performance for the national team of Serbia does not leave me in the summer time to rest. Perhaps because I was injured early in the season. It took some time to recover thanks to my teammates who constantly supported me.”
How much time you needed to adapt to the new team? When you felt that you found mutual understanding with the new coach?
“I did not know head coach Plamen Konstantinov before I came here, but I saw him in action when he was playing. Frankly I like his style of play. As it turned out Konstantinov is also a good coach. While I was injured he always supported me. And now I’m trying to show my best volleyball.”
For you personally is Nizhny Novgorod impressive winning streak was a surprise?
“Of course, all of this is a surprise. I think that we are going to play so well no one expect this. And now, after a 13-match series we want more!”
During your playing career you did not stay at one club for more than one season.
“Such frequent change of clubs is because I have always tried to progress. I believe that the player constantly need to improve, and speaking with high-class volleyball players, make it much easier and faster. But in the Nizhny Novgorod I decided to stay for another season – a new contract with the club Nizhny Novgorod has been signed.”
You have a birthday soon. How do you plan to mention?
“I do not know how many weekends we will have at the end of the regular season. If I stay in Nizhny Novgorod, then I get together with the guys somewhere. If I can go home, I will celebrate birthday with family.”
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