"The nervousness quickly went away and we got down to work" — Presnyakov and Suikonen on the Start of Preseason with the First Team
On August 8, Zenit’s first team began its preseason training camp in St. Petersburg under head coach Duško Ivanović as part of preparations for the 2026/27 season. Also taking part in the training process are players from the Blue-White-Sky Blues Basketball Academy, Zenit’s youth team players Anton Suikonen (born in 2009) and Mikhail Presnyakov (born in 2007).
The club’s press office spoke with the players about the start of preseason preparations with the first team and their upcoming work with Zenit’s youth team. Roman Knyazev’s team will soon begin its own training camp, compete in the All-Russian Summer Spartakiad, play in the qualifying stage of the Russian Cup and start the regular season of the VTB United Youth League.
— Anton, among the Academy players, you started preseason almost earlier than anyone else, joining the first team’s training camp. What are your impressions of these first two days of work under Duško Ivanović and his coaching staff?
— My impressions are wonderful! It’s my first time being part of a team at this level. It’s a great experience. I feel very comfortable, and the older players are helping me adapt. I’m happy to have the opportunity to work with such an experienced coach, who has extensive experience in European basketball.
— Zenit’s youth team will begin its preseason preparations very soon. What are your expectations for the season?
— We’re focused on getting down to work. We’ll work hard and prepare for the Russian Cup. We also have the Spartakiad, which will be an important step in our overall preseason preparations. Then the regular season will begin, and we’ll have to defend our championship title. We need to approach every stage of this big process responsibly in order to achieve the desired results on the court.
— You’ve had quite a busy offseason: a tryout camp with Zoran Lukić’s Russian national team, as well as playing for Roman Knyazev’s U17 national team at the Russia-China Games. How would you assess this period with the national teams?
— The Russia-China Games were quite interesting. We played three scrimmages against China and won all three. After Kaliningrad, where the Games were held, I immediately joined the national team and worked under Lukić. Camps like these are a great opportunity for me to learn a lot and continue developing. Of course, I’d like to return to the national team and gain even more experience.
— Mikhail, what’s it like working side by side with players from Zenit’s first team under Duško Ivanović?
— I was a little nervous, and it was unexpected. Our coach, Roman Knyazev, texted us the day before the practice to tell us that we would be joining the first team. I was a little nervous at first, but it quickly went away, and we got down to work. We’re gradually adapting to the pace of the first team.
— How did your introduction to the team go? Who do you talk to the most?
— Everyone is friendly, but I’d especially like to mention Dima Kulagin. He explains everything and shows us everything. All the guys are very open and always ready to help if there’s something we don’t understand.
— You have the defense of your youth championship title, the Russian Cup and the Spartakiad ahead of you. What are your expectations for the start of the season with this revamped team?
— We want to reach our maximum potential as a team. We have a pretty strong roster. A lot of players from last season have stayed. We’re hoping to achieve the best possible results.
