Roman Knyazev: "We are expecting an interesting and productive season"
— How would you assess the results of the U16 training camp?
— The training camp was excellent, the guys were chosen the most worthy at the moment, which they confirmed with their work. We played two good games against strong opponents. Both for the players, and coaching staff it was the first games like this level. I can say that players showed a good level, and most importantly performed what we required from them during the preparation. The result itself was not very pleasing, it can be justified by the age difference and the fact that we did not chase the result directly. The goal was to give to everyone the opportunity to fully test their strength and see what they are capable of. Due to their age and lack of proper level of game discipline, we had stretches in which we made colossal mistakes, after which the opponent did not allow us to come within a comfortable distance.
— You have just made your debut as the senior coach of the cadet national team. In the upcoming season you will also lead Zenit U21 for the first time. Do you feel any excitement?
— Fortunately, I have already outgrown such sentimental states. Moreover, absolutely all players have been working with me for a long time, they know my requirements and understand what they need to do to achieve success. In this league I have been working as an assistant for a long time, so I don't feel any worries about it.
— How was the interaction within the national team? Did you manage to create a team atmosphere?
— One of the main factors of successful work is to build a team, which will be ready to work together to do a tremendous amount of work, elevating common interests over personal ones. It is not always possible to do it quickly, but in three weeks in the national team we have managed to do it. The leaders of their teams, who are not used to sharing the ball, were actively involved in creating our attacks. Players supported each other throughout the whole training camp and did their best to make the team better and help each other to move up a level in all aspects.
— Were there any players from the St. Petersburg school of basketball at the training camp? And are there any players who will be in the U16 squad in the future?
— There were St. Petersburg players in our ranks. For example, Maxim Ibragimov is a pupil of Vasileostrovskaya SSOR, who moved to CSKA not so long ago. Also Anton Suikonen, who started his basketball career in the Leningrad region, now studies and trains at our Olympic Reserve School №1. They have already gained a lot of experience and gained confidence in this national team. Besides them we have an extensive list of kids from St. Petersburg sports schools, which we are planning to play in the Youth Basketball League championship, which will undoubtedly give them a boost to their development and a chance to get to the next training camp.
— Did you manage to have a rest during the off-season in such a tight schedule?
— This off-season holiday passed me by. There were ten days of pause without training, I managed to devote time to my family and preparation for training events with the national team. But I got used to such a regime, so it is not a problem for me and does not upset me at all.
— The training camp of the Zenit youth team will start very soon. Are you waiting for the start of work?
— Of course I am waiting for the start of work, I have already missed the atmosphere and the players. Just now I am planning for the season. During the off-season I managed to educate myself, there are ideas that I want to apply and try.
— Can you share the plan of pre-season preparation of the youth team?
— Everything is standard. A lot of work awaits the guys. We will try a lot of new things and leave what will best suit our squad. We will try to organise pre-season games, the Basketball Academy management is already working in this direction. So we are waiting for an interesting and fruitful season.
