Russian Finns - European Championship winners. How did this become possible. Interview with two-time Russian champion Ruslan Zhbankov. Part one
Source https://dzen.ru/a/artmE8TpZXtIn2Cg
Hi all, “Ball over the net” with you! On Saturday, world volleyball acquired a new page - the Finnish national team became the winner of a major tournament for the first time. First, the Finns “liberated” the hosts, the Italian national team, at the European Championships (3:2), which was beaten in the quarterfinals. And in the match for third place they defeated Slovenia (3:0). Why is this success remarkable for us?? Once upon a time in the late 80s, Vyacheslav Platonov went to promote volleyball in this country, recognized as the best men's trainer 20 century. Today Alexey Zhbankov and Fedor Ivanov are playing for Finland, sons of Russian volleyball players, in the 90s they played for the St. Petersburg Avtomobilist. Zhbankov, the eldest, won the first two Russian championships with him, and as part of our team he became the bronze medalist of the World League 1997 of the year. Soon he came to play in Finland, where was he born, Alexey Zhbankov grew up and became a volleyball player, European Championship bronze medalist middle blocker.
Ruslan Zhbankov, starting a coaching career in Finland, from 2012 by 2018 worked in Russian clubs for a year, worked alongside under the leadership of Rafael Khabibullin, in the youth team “Torch” contributed to the development of a generation with unique talents – with Egor Klyuka, Dmitry Volkov and company. Today he – head coach of Azerbaijani “Murov I Terminal”. We talked about all this too, but after the main topic – son's team success. What a volleyball medal at the Euro meant for Finland? Should we expect this team to join the world elite?? What makes the team unique?, which won the Euroleague twice before winning bronze at the European Championships?
About historical success, under the memory of the Sammelvuo and the plays of Kerminen
-How the historical success of the volleyball team resonated in the Finnish media?
–Very active! About the team now, Yes, and Surgut added emotionally, all the newspapers write, all online publications. Interviews with players are constantly published, all details are discussed, This is now the main topic in the sports media. After all, on the way to the medals there was another historical achievement - they beat Italy in the quarterfinals, which Finland did not defeat 48 years old.
Ruslan and Alexey Zhbankovy
–For players, such attention is surprising?
-One side, it flatters them, but on the other hand, it’s unusual. Now not only Finnish journalists are watching them, but also foreign. Watching them in the hotel, are watching, where do they go, what are they doing, being interviewed. If the results of the Finnish team fall, perhaps, such excitement will disappear - but now the national team players are stars.
–What is the difference between this Finnish team and its previous version - which took fourth place at the European Championships 2007 of the year, made the playoffs in 2013 year.
-The main difference is that the current Finnish national team is very young. The backbone is the players 2003-2004 the year of birth, playing together since youth, passed the youth team together. The guys are very friendly. Meet not only at training camps and matches, but they also communicate closely outside the site. And the composition of the previous team varied greatly in age.
-I'm sure, what "yes. The Finnish national team is now on the rise, there is room to grow. I think, in a couple of years Finland may already become a top team.
-How popular is volleyball among children among other game types??
–Very popular. Many boys and girls play volleyball, Regional competitions are held in the country. Almost every city has a professional team, albeit minor league. The team's success at the European Championship will add popularity to volleyball, children in sports schools, I think, there will be even more. But volleyball in Finland has one problem - approximately 90 percentage of girls and boys to 17-18 years old finish classes and focus on studying.
-Why is that?
-This is due to the fact, that Finland positions itself as a social state, where material wealth is equalized. therefore, by the way, talented people, including athletes, it can be difficult to realize yourself. Even super athletes don't have any preferences, eg, for admission to college. And salaries in professional clubs are very small by the standards of big sports, especially among young players.
-This is an important factor for them.?
-Everyone can count money, especially teenagers. Will they succeed in sports?, Grandma said that in two. But you can go to work in a supermarket now - and earn twice as much, than on the volleyball team. Or even at three! Therefore, after graduating from school, many give up sports and study becomes their priority.. Only those remain, who really loves volleyball. And by the way, there are many more girls left in it, than guys.
After refusal (in 2022 year) leave Russia Lauri Kerminen ( in the center) declared in Finland to not shake hands and stopped being called up to the national team. And they are all about democracy to us
–How popular is Tuomas Sammelvuo in Finland now??
-Used to be very popular, and now he has fallen out of the information space. Yes, he is remembered, sports fans know, that Tuomas is now coaching the Japanese team, previously worked in Poland - but the media writes primarily about those, who is visible in Finland. So, probably, everywhere.
-And Lauri Kerminen?
-He was, of course, big star. The attitude towards him at the official level changed after Lauri’s decision to stay in Russia. The Finnish Federation issued a directive for their players to leave Russia. There have been many versions of what is happening, in particular, after all, Surgut still had some chances to compete for the playoffs, that the financial factor played a significant role. Nobody was going to compensate Kerminen for lost money in case of termination of his contract.. And he also loves Russia, he has many friends here. And after refusing to leave Russia, Lauri stopped being called up to the Finnish national team, they stopped talking about him publicly.
My son is more talented than me, he is a stronger player, what I was at his age
–What agenda is Finnish society focusing on??
-First of all – on that, what the media broadcast, Finns trust their media very much. This is their national trait. And the informative focus and tone of their local media with 2022 year is unambiguous. At the same time, in Finland many people treat what is happening with understanding - they are aware, what Russia is doing and why. But it doesn’t go anywhere beyond your own understanding and private conversations.. No one can express their opinion contrary to the position of the state. Democracy is democracy, but you can't go against the party line.
–And the attitude of Finnish society towards Russian people with 2022 year has changed?
-The thing is, that the Russians, who have lived there for a long time, they already consider themselves to be their own. But there are no Russian tourists there now, sports teams are not coming. I will note, that many people have no time for politics now. The economic situation in the country has become more difficult in recent years, prices have increased, people started losing their jobs. Previously, there were no people willing to fill some vacancies., then now for the same position 100 man claims. People there care about their own affairs first., how to make money. It doesn’t matter what’s in politics.
-Did your son have any alternative to volleyball??
-By and large - no. He loves volleyball very much, for him there was no question of whether to continue studying or not. My son has always been tall, I could play in the same football if only as a goalkeeper. Therefore, the choice in favor of volleyball was natural.
–And when my son was prescribed an ampoule?
-Still at youth level. Me as a coach and as a father, I looked and tested it in different positions, finisher, diagonal, binder, assessed, what qualities does he have for each of these positions?. Alexey wanted to be a finisher, and diagonal, but he's too tall (206 centimeters), therefore, his data for these positions was not entirely suitable. It seemed to me, The middle blocker position is perfect for him.
–You also played in this position. How does Alexey Zhbankov differ from players of your generation at this age??
-It is very difficult to compare generations, because volleyball has changed a lot. Our Soviet, and it’s impossible to compare post-Soviet volleyball with the current Super League. Nobody knew about African players back then., and now they are, yes what level! And if you compare specifically with me, then my son is more talented than me. And in general, like a volleyball player, stronger, what I was in 23 of the year.
-What exactly?
-This applies to everything - physical condition, technical and tactical skills. In our time, the preparation of teams has not yet been so carefully thought out. I don't quite understand, why did volleyball players have to run the Cooper test?, why so many heavy exercises in circuit training. But that was the system, It's not acceptable to ask questions. Now physical training is completely different – much more professional, every action is analyzed, every little thing is taken into account. Therefore, each next generation is more professional and generally stronger in volleyball than the previous one.
Two native languages and a Finnish league
-How well do children know your volleyball past?? They know a lot about it, how you and Sergei Ivanov played in Avtomobilist?
-Son knows, of course, that dad was playing somewhere. But the younger generation doesn’t have much interest in volleyball from 30 years ago. For them, that time was some other era..
–What is the Finnish league like now??
-There aren't that many tall players, like in Russia, that's why fast volleyball is played in Finland. Other specifics, because of this, it is difficult to directly compare the level with Russian teams. I think, winners of the Finnish championship are approximately at the level of the leaders of the major league "A" or outsiders of the Super League.
–How many foreign players are allowed in the Finnish league?
-There used to be two, then expanded to five. Still, there weren’t enough strong local players to maintain the level. But only clubs can take five foreigners, who have more money.
-What is the correct name for my son based on mentality??
-Let's start off with, that he knows three languages perfectly: Russian, Finnish and English. And Russian and Finnish are native to him, he was born in Finland. Therefore, I absorbed the local culture from the cradle. But Finnish 100 you can't name him. Just like any other person, who has two native languages.
–Do you think this is a key factor for cultural and mental orientation??
-Yes! I've thought a lot about this topic before. Wondered: what determines a person’s belonging to a particular nation. Availability of citizenship? Not, of course. Only language! Only through a means of communication does a person learn the local culture, everyday life, customs of the country, where does he live.
–And who’s my daughter’s mentality??
-I think, about two-thirds – Finnish. Even though she was born in St. Petersburg, and we arrived in Finland before, when she went to school. He also speaks three languages perfectly., Finnish is her second native language. But he speaks pure and very deep Finnish, I think, owns it better now, than Russians.
–My son's move to the German Bundesliga is a big step forward?
-Sure. It’s more interesting to play there – the level of the teams is much higher, than in Finland.
–What is the next step after Germany??
–I think, France. And Italy, Poland later.
The head of the club said: “how old is your son, 15? Come along with him”
Your return from Russia was somehow connected with your son growing up? Volleyball and more.
-Yes. Directly. My son was already 15 years old, I wanted to see him every day, help him with volleyball development, control. therefore, despite options to continue working in Russia, decided to return. Was that decision correct?? Do not know.
–But since your son already plays for the Finnish national team, the answer is obvious.
-For his volleyball career - yes. For my life and coaching career - perhaps, that decision was wrong. But putting his career and mine on the scales, I didn't even hesitate. Then he refused several offers, even refused to the club, played in the Champions League. Then the club came to me, which just rose from the second league to the first. They got the same answer: "Not ready. I've arrived, to take care of my son". They suggested thinking, a week later they called back, invited to a meeting.
–So.
-I answered the same: "I refuse". They asked: “how old is my son”? – «15». - “What’s the problem then?”? Come join the team together".
–Convenient option?
-But Lesha was still, by and large, a child.! I made a counter offer: “Let’s do one training session, my son will take part in it. If I see, that it won't interfere at all, I agree". I looked and it doesn’t seem to spoil much. Remained in the team - and made it to the finals that same season! And, before the decisive game in the final series, the main central blocker broke down - and Alexey then played the entire match.
–And how he played?
-Fine. How normally can a 15-year-old teenager play in an adult team?. And the next season he was taken by another club. And we – already without him - we went through the entire championship in four, but the season was stopped due to coronavirus. The next season they played the championship without defeat and reached the Super League. But then the club had other plans - they did not renew the contract with me. That year I switched to girls.
–How significant a figure for Finnish volleyball remains Vyacheslav Platonov?
The answer to this question, as well as:
–what was Platonov’s most severe punishment
-what stood out about young Yegor Klyuka
-what is special about Rafael Khabibullin, founder and head coach of Gazprom-Yugra?
-how the Russian Super League is superior to foreign leagues.
You will read this in the second part of the interview with Ruslan Zhbankov - Tomorrow.
Source https://dzen.ru/a/artmE8TpZXtIn2Cg
