Andrey Vorontsevich: "It’s incredible when the fans charge us with such amazing energy"
Zenit forward Andrey Vorontsevich summed up the fifth game of the VTB United League semifinal series and answered journalists’ questions at the press conference. The match against Lokomotiv Kuban took place today on the home court of the blue-whites and ended with a 93:80 victory for the St. Petersburg team.
— First of all, congratulations to Zenit on the win. Well done to us. Thanks to all the fans who came to support us. It’s incredible when the fans charge us with such amazing energy. We should enjoy this moment today, and tomorrow start preparing for the next game.
— As an experienced player, how difficult is it for you to recover after the logistically challenging trip from Krasnodar to St. Petersburg?
— For me, probably as a veteran, an experienced player — call it what you will — it’s actually the easiest. Why? Because I know what to do and how to recover. That’s what professionalism and experience are all about. I’ve been in the league for 20 years, and trips to Krasnodar aren’t new to me. Of course, it’s tough for everyone. There isn’t a single player who doesn’t feel fatigued after a long trip. So I wish everyone a speedy recovery. The best recovery is sleep — sleep and proper nutrition. If you eat right and sleep well, you’ll be able to play for a long time.
— You’re heading back to Krasnodar. In your opinion, what will be the key to the upcoming game? Proper recovery? Focus?
— Everything. Any mistake can cost you the game. Every rebound, every shot — it all matters. First and foremost, we mustn’t lose concentration. Even if we’re tired — and both we and Lokomotiv Kuban are in similar conditions — we’re playing at the same time and basically traveling together to Krasnodar. Still, we need to maintain our focus, the same mindset we had today, and minimize mistakes. That’s what I’d like. If we can make fewer errors and score more, then we’ll win.
— Can we say that this Zenit team is a dream team for fans going back to the 2010s? Karasev, Shved, Vorontsevich…
— You’d have to ask the fans. It’s hard to say. But as a player, it’s definitely a pleasure to be part of a team like this — with this coach and these teammates. I’m happy, proud, and of course I want to contribute to the team’s victories.
