Gennady Shipulin motivating his players
This is the first time in the twenty-first century that Belogorie started the Russian championship with two losses. Gennady Shipulin‘s team lost on home ground from “Gazprom-Ugra” in the first round, and Novosibirsk “Lokomotiv” in the second round. “Space” has always been considered one of the most “inhospitable” volleyball arenas but how they lost two games.
Explain what is happening with your team? Before the season, “Belogorie” was considered the main condender for the gold, along with “Zenit”, but so far you lost two games…
“Of course, the problems that we have encountered, are objective. Returning players from the national teams are in poor condition. For example, Sergey Tetyukhin injured his back, Dimitry Ilyinykh his ankle. Taras Khtei dosen’t feel well physically, Dima Muserskiy psyhologically”.
And your two German players: Lukas Kampa and Georg Grozer?
“It’s the same. Their participation on the European Championships took away a lot from both players. Grozer even went to the Olympics. It is clear that they need a lot of time to get back in shape. Besides Kampa still need to interact with new teammates.”
“However, the progress may be slow, but it’s still evident. With the “Lokomitiv” our Germans looked better than with “Ugra“. It’s the case with the rest of the team. On Wednesday, I used the 13 players on the court, only Nikita Eremin didn’t play.”
Unlike Grozer, Kampa isn’t that famous. Why didn’t you invite a more famous setter? In the summer brazilian Rafael Redwitz moved to Odintsovo, Marlon to Krasnodar, Falascha to Ufa …
“Of course, Kampa is not Lloy Ball or Vadim Hamuttskih. Genial setters are born rarely. But don’t forget we brought – Sergey Makarov. From him, and from another newbie Leonid Kuznetsov, I expect more”.
When will the team meet its expectations?
“We are aiming for our first victory on Saturday. What else? It’s a strange situation that the first three rounds we play at home. Perhaps, with all the problems it would be better to start the championship away. Then if you start with a loss it would be easier to make up for it in the second round.”
One of the keys for the Olympic finals was moving Muserskiy to the diagonal. Will you do this?
“Anything is possible. Actually, in “Belogorie” he played on this position a lot. The fact that it worked against Brazil is not surprising. I was waiting for such reversal from Vladimir Alekno. And he decided on it in the right moment. Once again I heartily congratulate Vladimir Romanovich for brilliant Olympics work.”
It is true that the sponsors put very tough conditions?
“With our funding we have everything covered. But if the team does not compete for a medal – it will be blocked. With the leaders of “Metalloinvest” I had very serious conversations about this. Not one! Well, I understand them perfectly. And I think it’s is justified. Our team allows us to count on getting into the top three. This is a minimum”.
Do you share the views of Poltava that the three favorites for the Super League are “Zenit”, “Belogorie” and Moscow “Dinamo”?
“In principle, yes. Although surprises happen during the regular season. The team which distributes power evenly across the season will be the winner.”
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