The fact that Tuzik was planning something bad became clear already at the Sheremetyevo-2 airport. When he needs to, he kindly behaves with acquaintances, but here he clearly consciously looked away from the journalists and instantly disappeared when they were sent to greet him.
But the presence of Sergei Brylin's mother was a little reassuring. She also came to see her son and was waiting for him at the main exit. And very worried. Finally, her phone rang.
- Son, flew in, huh? she spoke softly into the phone. “And here we meet you.” Won't you come out Through another exit? Oh, I don’t know what to do.
“He will go through another exit,” she said. - Through the left wing. Where is it, I do not know.
“Here he is,” one of the airport workers shouted, and several journalists rushed to another exit. It was lucky that Sergey got a little lost. He did not immediately get into the car, but tried to climb a ladder.
“You go there,” the guard shouted to him and the hockey player turned around.
- Faster, faster! - rushed him Tuzik, whose mission in the Russian team became clear only at that moment.
“Sergey, give us five minutes,” reporters shouted to the hockey player. - We are waiting for you in the morning.
“I'm in a hurry to play,” he managed to answer, and the Tuzik, who was driving, immediately rushed away.
Only the car disappeared from view, my mother ran up. She did not have time for her son.
It was not even clear where Sergey would be taken. To the base in Serebryany Bor? But what should he do there? To Khodynka? Early. As a result, an hour later (apparently, they nevertheless drove to Serebryany Bor) he appeared in the accreditation center to receive a special badge, without which it would be difficult for him to approach the locker rooms. There Tuzik weakened his vigilance, and managed to talk with the hockey player.
It should be noted that at the airport Sergey seemed a little exhausted. But an hour later he was in perfect order.
“I want to apologize right away for not having time to talk to you at the airport,” Brylin began first. - It's not in my rules to run away from journalists. I was forced to leave.
- Come on, Sergey. You and Tuzik were. How are you feeling?
- I feel fine.
- Are you ready to play with the Czech team? (The fact that Sergei did not have time to announce the match, it became known later).
- Yes, I'm ready.
“Aren't you tired?”
- Tired? No, the last match was on Saturday, I had time to relax.
- Imagine you go out to a match with the Czech Republic, and the team loses. Risk?
- And still, I am pleased that I came to the national team. I was very happy when I received the invitation. Playing for the national team is an honor for any hockey player. And especially when the tournament takes place in Moscow.
- Do you know Vyacheslav Bykov?
“Yes, I know him.” Only here where I met, I do not remember.
- What can you say about the game of our team?
- I have not seen a single match, but the results are good. The national team plays great.
“Frustrated by the defeat of the New Jersey?”
- Of course. Our team always sets itself maximum goals.
- Who do you know from the players of the Russian national team?
- Alexey Morozov. Sergey Gonchar, we’ve known him since childhood. AND…
- And Kovalchuk, Ovechkin, Malkin?
- Yes, we met with Kovalchuk. At some matches.
Alexey Shevchenko