Maciej muse: "This was a jump in deep water"

History Maciej Muzaya in "Gazprom-Ugra", as it appears, limited to one season. therefore kakim! Pole immediately became the best scorer of the Super League and has attracted attention all over Europe, volleyball. A year ago, he was a promising player with excellent data, who remembered, mainly, Magic game in the Champions League against Kazan "Zenith". Surgut gave him the chance to express themselves in full voice, Muse took them one hundred percent - today it is one of the most popular of the diagonal on the European market.

According to his agent, Andrzej Grzyb, players want to see in its composition just four of the club of the Russian Superleague, one of the leading teams of the Polish Plus League, Negotiations with the Italian "Trentino" and "Chivittanova". "Gazprom-Ugra" wanted to leave at Muzaya, but to compete with these giants is not meaningful. Our team has made habitual work, becoming a springboard for the next star - Maciej we wish every success in his future career! And finally, we publish excerpts from his an interview with the Polish sports publication Przeglad Sportowy Katarzyna Pav, he gave immediately after the end of the season.

– Because of the coronavirus your club did not go to the second leg of the qualifying round with the Moscow "Dynamo" before, as the championship was stopped. It was a big disappointment for you?

– For my soul athlete - great. Especially, that not everything has been decided in our competition with the "Dynamo". I belived, I would go to Moscow to fight for victory in the game, and the "gold" set. However, see, what is happening in the world, I understand that the club's decision and I think it right.

– In the last match of the regular season, "Gazprom-Ugra" a surprise, beating 3:0 "Zenit-Kazan". A year earlier, Gdansk "Trefl" you lost a part of the "gold" team set of Tatarstan in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. revenge was a success?

– The same thing occurred to me after the match with "Zenith"! I told the head coach Rafael Habibullina after the game, what, eventually, I won "Zenit". With "Trefl" we won the match in Kazan, but, Unfortunately, this poor lost "golden" set. This time I left the room with the knowledge, I beat great rival. Must admit, it is a very pleasant feeling.

you can say, that completed the task for the season?

I think, what "yes. Our entry into the playoffs until the last moment there was a big question. Every next match was seen as a struggle for life. Honestly, I could not imagine a situation, in which we find ourselves to outside the top ten. If we had to play for survival, it would be for me personally a great failure - not that I have come to Russia. I am glad, that we managed to qualify for the playoffs with a ninth place, we tuned for further fierce fighting.

What it was the season for Maciej Muzaya?

good, although I expect from myself more, the show this season. Despite the fairly large exercise, I went through a season without serious injury. There have been meetings, which I received on 60 balls, that is, twice as much, than in previous seasons. I also got a lot of new experiences, felt joy, that came into a new league and did not disappoint. hope, it will not be my last season in Russia, and I'm here for something else will achieve.

The reality in the Super League is markedly different from your ideas about it before joining the "Gazprom-Ugra"?

In some matters very much, in others it was so, as I expected. I had a positive attitude from the beginning and this energy reached the end of the season. From the stories of those, who played in this league, not everyone can fully understand, you need to experience it in their own skin. A pleasant surprise was the attitude of people to me - not only in the club, but those, I have met every day. They were always very kind and helpful. May be, not so open, as in the West, but, when you start to talk to them, they open. They have had no prejudices, when I spoke, I'm Polish, everywhere I was warmly received. Same with teammates - first was the language barrier, but over time I began to study Russian language, and they gain proficiency in English, so that we can somewhere in the middle to meet and talk.

That is your choice to go to Russia paid off?

More than! Departure to Russia aroused my hunger games abroad. A little afraid to go to Surgut, it was like a jump in deep water. Finally, a Russian league, which they say, it is very hard and it is difficult to gain a foothold. However, I was tuned in combat. I was convinced, that no game abroad, nor the lack of knowledge of the language is not something scary. Because of this I have strengthened confidence.

As you power game style? We do not interfere with long-distance travel?

There is some truth in the, that are important in the Super League a strong attack, high block. I'm in this game feel good, I am trying at the same time keep away a little bit of European style of play. I must say, it is a very good experience. When it comes to travel, it was, of course, uncomfortably. Do not deceive yourself, a couple of hours, held in a small box with wings at my height (208 cm, – ca.. order.) - it is not an ideal situation. Somehow it had to cope, faced with this because all, including much more age-athletes.

Surgut is still living memory of club legend Robert Prygele, who played there 2003-2007 years? You did not compare with him?

I was not directly compared, but several times I spoke with longtime fans of "Gazprom", who remembered performances of Robert in Russia. It is very well remembered not only as an outstanding volleyball player, but also as a person. The club also spoke warmly of him. Fans also remember Lukas Kadzhevicha, although he, probably, not so significant for the club, how Prygel. However, it is also well remembered. Including our club doctor, who likes to bet on political and historical themes. Once we had entered into a discussion on the history of Polish-Russian relations, and he said,, Muse argues that the same, how Kadzhevich. Lukasz, in this way, courageously defended here Polish Colors (laughs - prim.avt.).

Your girl Antonina was with you the whole season? She managed to combine a stay in Russia with model career?

Unfortunately, not. She is very much sacrificed for me, I was in Russia only because of me. Its support has been invaluable, and, certainly, It had a great influence on my game. I knew, that someone's home waiting for me, I told her very grateful.

In the first interview on arrival at the club you said, what you want as soon as possible to learn the Russian language ...

I can boast, that after our last match with the Moscow "Dynamo" I gave his first interview in Russian. In front of the camera. journalists, that there were then, assured me, they understood all. I liked it, because I myself did not understand anything of what, what did I say. I was able to learn the basics of the Russian language, I can something to agree, although I had difficulty with the accent and pronunciation of different words. Teammates, but, I understood, and only occasionally laughed at my accent. Sure, this is my study of the Russian language will not end.

You have completed the championship top scorer, won 436 points, but you have not turned in Drem Team Super League. At the site of the diagonal on the position of the selected George Grozera. Why?

If I had to choose this command, I would have chosen myself. But seriously, how and most, I agree with this choice. Grozer - star of world volleyball, who spent an amazing season in Russia, He was not only in attack, but also on the block, and on the pitch. Grozer is a great fighter, so deservedly has appeared in the dream team. I am glad, I had a rival. Everywhere, where I will play, I will try to be better than him. Always good to have such competition in his position.

How do you see the future of your club?

So far I have one hundred percent focused on the Russian championship, but if you are appearing offers from other clubs, I, of course, discuss their post-season. At the moment, my one-year contract ended in Surgut, and in connection with the current events of all movements in the transfer market has slowed a bit in the world. I have not yet signed a contract. negotiations are under way, but no specifics.