Fedor Fedotov: "I’m sure the newcomers will lead the team forward"

Theater and film actor Fedor Fedotov attended the matches of the recently concluded Kondrashin and Belov Cup and shared what he expects from the blue-white-sky blues in the upcoming season. Fedor has been a Zenit fan for many years and constantly supports the team at the stadium. More in our interview.

— Fedor, we’re glad to see you at the basketball games. We’d also like to thank you for your congratulations on our tenth anniversary. Overall, did you miss the best game with the ball over the summer?

— Indeed, this summer turned out to be especially sporty for me. There were many new sports challenges, including, of course, hockey. Once again, I send greetings from the "Chisto Peter" team, our media hockey team. And now, I’m eager to return to watching big ball games, where big, cool guys will show great basketball again. I missed it and am very happy to be here today. Once again, congratulations to the team, and I’m very happy to be at the stadium today.

— Our team has changed significantly this off-season. Is Zenit’s potential still a mystery to you, or do you have a sense of what Xavier Pascual's squad is capable of?

— Thank God, our coach stayed with us, so he knows where to lead us. The team has been strengthened with excellent newcomers. Of course, it was sad at first when you follow the news and see who’s leaving, just after you’ve fallen in love with that roster. But I’m sure our newcomers will lead the team forward, and they understand what the Zenit spirit is. I hope they’ve absorbed that spirit over the summer. We’ll see great basketball from St. Petersburg.

— After a two-year break, Alex Poythress has rejoined our team. During this time, he played in the Italian and Israeli championships, became a father, and now it’s clear that he has become more serious. What are your expectations from Alex’s performance?

— I hope it will be a triumphant return, but ultimately, it’s not just about the result. It’s about a person bringing new experience to the team and being ready to share it with younger players, along with his brilliantly vibrant play with us, the fans. For the club, this is a big win no matter what. He’ll lead us forward, and it will be a huge asset in competing for the highest positions this season.

— The Kondrashin and Belov Cup is a special tournament for all of St. Petersburg, and Zenit has won this trophy several years in a row. Do you feel Zenit has a special reverence for this tournament?

— I think it’s a very important moment at the start of the season, connected to the team’s spirit. It’s a tradition that this new group must believe in. It’s not just an exhibition tournament; it’s part of the city’s culture and part of our basketball club’s tradition. I hope our team fully understands the responsibility and approaches this tournament with that in mind. We’ll see the best basketball possible today, and the team will keep progressing forward and upward.

— Who among the current Zenit players do you think could make it in cinema or perhaps in theater?

— I could highlight this or that player. Last season, I was convinced that Heurtel should act in TV series or films. Besides, there are several charismatic players. I know that Igor Volkhin loves theater, and it was a huge honor to see him in the audience last season at the play "Romeo and Juliet." We even waved to each other informally and exchanged greetings. But the important thing is that all these people create a show. If anyone in our film industry wants to make something cool, they should just film a movie about this basketball team. Every one of them deserves to be seen on the big screen and in the biggest stadiums.

— Some time ago, we shot our seasonal video featuring Zenit’s head coach and the main team players. What do you think it takes to make a professional athlete perform in front of the camera with the same intensity as on the court?

— Well, of course, financial investments, financial infusions (laughs). But basketball is a very bright game, and it’s all about the show. Basketball players, by the way, understand very well what the beauty of the moment is. So I don’t think they need much convincing to be colorful and energetic. The atmosphere in the stadium is like the Colosseum ring. Each player becomes a gladiator, an artist, and they’re all true professionals in every sense.

— This summer, Russian basketball legend and veteran Andrey Vorontsevich joined Zenit. What unique touch do you think he will bring to Xavi Pascual's roster?

— It’s hard for me to speculate about his strategic or tactical role, but without a doubt, Vorontsevich is a player you follow, no matter what team he plays for. The fact that he’ll be with us this season, that we’ll get to see him play, is a real gift for us, the fans. What will he bring to the locker room? That’s a closed subject, of course, but I’m sure it’s a deep sense of confidence that comes from having such a huge presence around you.

— Please make a prediction: who will be the biggest revelation for Zenit in the first part of the season?

— Maybe it will be one of the experienced veterans, or maybe one of the old-timers. I have high hopes for Vince Hunter, his leadership qualities, his anger, and his power. But I’d really love for it to be one of the young guys. So I wish everyone health, good luck to the youngsters, and confidence. We, the fans of the basketball club, will always be there for them in everything. Go Zenit!