- When did you decide that Alexander Eremenko, and not Vasily Koshechkin, will play at the gate? After all, before that the rule of priority was respected.
- In the morning rolling. We thought for a long time and made just such a decision. However, I am sure that if Vasily Koshechkin played, he would act no less brilliantly.
- Why didn’t Sergey Brylin play, who was ready to immediately go on the ice?
- They didn’t want to excite the team. We played with the Swedes very well, all the guys were worthy to play in the quarter finals. But, I think, in the next match he will appear.
- Can you say that the Russian team played perfectly with the Czechs?
- Not.
- Really saw a lot of mistakes?
- Emotions sometimes overwhelm. I want to score even more. And the spectators - excellent spectators - drive the team forward. But overall we are pleased with the game.
- Today, the Russian team played perfectly in the minority. Did the Czechs get too nervous, or did you study them so well?
- Of course, we try to study the opponent, draw conclusions. In the fact that we played successfully, there is both the work of our guys and the coaching analysis. To some extent, of course, Czech hockey players did not act very confidently. But in general, today Sasha Eremenko played great. It was a wall that the Czechs could not pass.
- Which of the possible rivals in the semi-finals is better studied?
- For both teams we will have a lot of information. But we still will not depart from our game.
- The arrival of Yevgeny Nabokov automatically means that he will be the first number?
- Each of the players who are now in the team has chances to go on the ice. Think and decide.
- The Kazan link is breaking up. Alexey Morozov had some kind of injury, Sergey Zinoviev had a hand problem. This is a concern.
- There are no problems and never will be. We all anticipate and try to respond. Without injuries, it is very difficult to imagine hockey. Sergey Zinoviev was given easy exemptions. Now here is Alexei Morozov. But, I think, in the end everything will be fine.
- Will you still have an “open day”? Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow the national team does not play.
- Not. Now it's the playoffs. Need full concentration. I think you will understand me. We would like to work in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Then why was an evening of jokes with artists taking place?
“And there will be evening, and not just jokes.” But here is a different situation. Players needed communication, had to recharge with positive emotions.
“You have a St. George ribbon on your lapel.” Whose initiative was it to attach her to the match?
- Today is the Victory Day. And, I believe, it is the duty of each of us to be with the people.
“But did someone take the initiative?”
“Who invented this at all?”
Alexey Shevchenko