The results of the men's and women's national teams of Russia at the European water polo championship are diametrically opposed. Men took only 9th place (which, however, did not stop them from qualifying for next year's World Cup), and women became champions of the continent. On the way to the victorious finals with the Italian water polo players, the Olympic champions of Athens, the Russians successively defeated the owners of all world titles: Greek women, Dutch women and reigning world champions - the Hungarian team.
Over the post-Soviet history, our team reached the final of the Old World Championship three times, but for the first time was not satisfied with the “silver”. At the gangway of the plane that arrived from Belgrade, we managed to talk with the head coach of the country's women's water polo team, Alexander Kleimenov.
- Alexander Anatolyevich, to be honest, counting on "gold"?
- I became the head coach of the national team in 2003. He replaced Sergey Frolov in this post (at this championship he was the head of our delegation). Before me, the team played in the finals twice - in 1993 and 2001, but both times became the silver medalist. I must say that over the past few years we have stayed literally one step away from medals of the highest dignity. So it was at the Olympics, and last year’s World Cup. That is, we have always been considered one of the leaders in the world women's water polo. The only question we were asked is when will we become champions. Here, for the first time they began. By the way, the current European final was the third for Elena Shmurova and the second for Sofia Konukh.
- With whom did the Russians have to play on the way to the finals?
- In the subgroup, we met with Greek women, these are the silver medalists of the Athens Olympics and last year's World League winners. We also defeated the Dutch team in a subgroup - repeated winners of various championships. In the semifinals, they won against the Hungarian team - the owners of the World Cup last year and the current world champions. Only the Italians lost in the subgroup, but with them they made up for them in the final.
- What difficulties did you have in this championship?
- This year, the women's national team, so to speak, played on three fronts. We participated in the World League - this is a commercial tournament, very important and always strong in the composition of the participants. There we took third place, losing to the Australians and Italians during the tournament. After that, we immediately went to China, where we played for the World Cup. They lost only once, but it was this loss that did not allow them to fight for the “gold”; they had to be content with third place. I want to say that this year we introduced six new players, four of them 16-year-old girls, recent graduates of sports schools. Therefore, during the season it was difficult to solve so many problems at once. The season for the national team was long - four months. Fortunately, contrary to all forecasts, we managed to bring the national team to the European Championship at the peak of shape. Everything was successfully planned this year, in my opinion.
- How will you relax?
- Now they dismissed the national team for a month. Many have injuries, albeit not very serious, someone is just tired. So we will rest. In late October, we have the Cup of the Russian Federation in Moscow, in the Olympic. And in November, the next cycle of the 2007 World Cup is already starting. It will be held in March in Australia. In April, the World League, and a little later, direct preparations for Beijing will begin.
- What was the main thing in working with the team this year, because the composition is different both in age and in merit?
- We, in my opinion, managed to maintain the winning spirit and the desire to win.
Unlike Alexander Kleimenov, who seems ready to talk about his team’s victory for hours, Yevgeny Sharonov, the first vice president of the Water Polo Federation, was laconic. This is understandable. In Belgrade, he was responsible not only for the women's, but also for the men's team. However, Evgeni Konstantinovich agreed to answer a few questions.
- In what mood are you returning from Belgrade?
“I am in a mood ... still rather joyful.” Our women won the European Championships for the first time, and before that they performed quite well. Well, men, of course, upset. I think this failure will serve as an incentive to change something in the team, or rather, someone.
- Do you have any complaints about the coach?
- Alexander Sergeevich Kabanov is a legendary person. I cannot solve such issues alone. We will think, consult, analyze. We will get together and discuss this problem.
- Why is 9th place? No luck or is it still today this result of the men's team is logical?
- You know, the teams from Romania and Spain played for 3rd place. With both of these teams, ours could play - and win. But the Russian men's team, unlike the women's, for some reason was not ready for the battle. They were just serving a room. This is very upsetting. There was no fighting spirit. They probably just did not believe in themselves.
- That is, you have a claim to people, and not to circumstances?
- Yes, of course, of course ... claims only to the players. They did not give all the best.
- Can you explain why?
- My opinion: there was no cohesion in the team. This is probably the mistake of the coaches. And the players lacked both discipline and a desire to play. All of this taken together led to such a deplorable result.
- What will the men's team now do? The woman deservedly went to rest.
- Players go to clubs. They will live according to the club schedule. Just the other day, the Cup of Russia begins.
- Well, the last question is about the current champion.
- Indeed, in this championship there were two strongest men's teams - Croats and Hungarians. But their ending was so rude. This is not a water polo, but some kind of struggle in the water, and without rules.
Valery Wingurt