Andrey Vorontsevich: “We need to learn and grow together. We'll do our best. Go, Zenit!”

Zenit’s newcomer Andrey Vorontsevich shared his impressions about his move to St. Petersburg.

— Andrey, we are glad to welcome you to Zenit. Tell us how you spent the summer?

— Thank you very much for the invitation. I responded with pleasure. I spent the summer quite well, I was at home with my family. I trained, did household chores. Didn't go anywhere. I spent the summer in a good working mode.

— Did you do a lot of individual training? What exactly did you work on?

— First of all, dribble, shooting. Individual training, not to forget basketball. Of course, I also worked with the barbell. I spent more time with my family.

— We're talking, and it's rainy outside - classic August St. Petersburg weather. Did you think long about Zenit's offer?

— Of course not. I understand that Zenit is a top club. I want to help the team become champions. As for the weather, for me, a Siberian, it's not so cold. I think like this: if it rains, it's the right time to go to work. When it's hot, you don't really want to work. You want to relax, sit somewhere with friends. You want to chat over a cocktail or a cold drink. When it's cloudy and raining, you have to go to work. This is the most ideal weather for work.

— Already after your transfer to Zenit you celebrated your 37th birthday. Zenit will be ten years old in a few days. What did you wish for this anniversary year for the club?

— I make a wish for myself. As they say, if I tell you, it will not come true. First of all, I wish health to myself and my relatives. Of course, I also wish victories, and without injuries.

— It is known that Xavi Pascual's teams are famous for a lot of learnt combinations. Are you ready to learn something new from the Spanish coach?

— Yes, of course. Probably, this is one of the main points: with a new coach you always get something new. I am already 37, it seems that I am already a veteran, but I do not stop in my development, I want to learn. So we will learn together, grow. I've been in a lot of different coaches' systems. I realise that combinations are not such a complicated story. Nevertheless, we need to memorise them, go through them. The most important thing is for the team to play them correctly, to understand them not like robots or trains that only ride on rails, but also to feel the game. There are many variations in each combination. You understand that you perform it from defence and from your partners. So we will grow and develop. Let's go!

— At Zenit you reunited with Georgy Zhbanov. Once you were unstoppable, as you had already played together in Kazan. Are you happy that your ways crossed again?

— I would also add that Vince Hunter was there. They are amazing athletes. There are a lot of good guys at Zenit now. It's nice when you play and meet again with your friends, with whom you have already had experience. We are friends, we won the title together. We know how to do it. God willing, we'll do well this season.

— Did you follow the 2024 Olympics in Paris? Did you have thoughts that the Russian national team could also play there?

— It was interesting to watch the tournament, but without our team at the Olympics it was a little sad. It's sad that we can't play there. I was watching. I really wanted to see the Serbs in the final, but our brothers won bronze. I congratulate them on this achievement. The final was amazing. I'm happy for my mate and ex-teammate Nando De Colo, he played well in the final. Before that he was given less playing time. I had no doubts about him. As for the USA national team, they are top basketball players. We saw a good example that even super top, hyped NBA basketball players are human beings. You can fight them all. The Serbs had a big chance, and the French also showed themselves well in the game against the USA team. But where can you go from the three-pointers of Stephen Curry, who made four of four in the last two and a half minutes and thus buried the French team?

And if we talk about our national team, of course, I always wish our guys success and development. Now the national team is without any international games. I hope that our federation will find ways to play with friendly countries.

— St. Petersburg fans are looking forward to the debut of three-time Euroleague champion at Zenit. What words can you address to the fans of the team?

— Guys, go for it! Cheer the same way, with all your heart. We'll do our best. Go Zenit!