Evgeni Popikhin: “The guys did a great job, glorified their homeland”

The head coach of the Russian youth team, Yevgeny Popikhin, did not hide the fact that he was pleased with the second place taken by his team at the World Championships in Sweden. But he answered vaguely to questions about personal plans.


- Is there any negative residue from the World Cup? Are you disappointed with the defeat in the finals - or, on the contrary, are glad that you won silver medals?
- I believe that we have great success. The guys did a great job, glorified their homeland. These are not beautiful words - it really was. All the boys played for the country and showed good hockey. It is a pity that we could not win the gold medals, but we tried. After the match, some hockey players cried. You could, of course, squeeze more, but ... This is a sport. Lost.
I just said thanks to the guys anyway.

- The third year in a row we lose to Canadians. Already, to be honest, tired.
- Yes, everyone is tired. But you saw that in the game we exceeded the opponent. The Russian team combined better. We showed the most interesting game, it was noted not only by me, but also by independent experts. The only thing we lack is psychological certainty.

“So where to get her?”
- We must win once. An athlete who wins feels like a winner and acts differently.

- What about individual achievements? Some of ours at this championship established themselves in stellar status?
- You know, all the guys who got into the team did not disappoint me, everyone devoted themselves completely to the game. One may have played more. The other is less. But everyone, going out on the ice, gave himself completely. We had a single team - this, I affirm, is the main "plus" of our team.

- What are your plans? Will you stay in the youth team? Or will you now look for an independent job?
- There will be negotiations now. The other day I meet people ... I have suggestions from abroad ...

- Wait, do you want to stay in the team yourself?
- I liked working with the guys. But all this in the future. Let's see how everything will be.

- Vladislav Tretyak said that the team did not have the audacity. Did you really miss her?
- Really. Canadians were afraid of us. Even at the warm-up, I noticed that they mandrapped. And the first 10 minutes of the starting period, we looked better. Had moments, but did not score. And then came the cut ... These three washers. And all early we could turn the tide of the game. With a score of 2: 4, they went face to face with the goalkeeper. Hammer then ... But the refereeing was not ours. I am not complaining about the arbitrator. It just really was like that. And still we fought to the end. No one can reproach my boys for not wanting to win.

- Three times the Russian team missed the first in the tournament. But personally, you constantly remained calm, did not panic. Do not rush about the bench. Did you believe that everything will eventually work out?
- Yes, I did. I always knew that the guys will turn the tide of the match. At work, it was clear that these guys would not let you down. Everyone knows that the match ends only after the siren, and while there is a minimal opportunity to save the result, everyone gives everything out.

Alexey Shevchenko

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