GAZPROMA Orenburg needs only one game to win Men's trophy  

02/06/2010 - The best players from Russia's national team Alexei SMIRNOV, Fedor KUZMIN and Kiril SKACHKOV and Belarus Star Vladimir SAMSONOV just couple days
after LIEBHERR World Team Championships in Moscow will be together again.

This time they will gather in Fakel Gazpropa Orenburg. Orenburg will play second leg of the ETTU final against TTC RhonSprudel Fulda-Maberzell. In the opening duel Russia's team beat German side 3:0. "Now we need only a game to win the title," said Alexei SMIRNOV.

SMIRNOV beat WANG Xi after he trailed 1:2. "I beat this Chinese defender after I was 8:10 down. Vladi also trailed against WALDNER 4:9 after 1:1 in games. WALDNER played in superb form, but after the third set Vladi took the control, so he finished the match without great problems."

- In the next season, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV will join the team. Does it mean you will join ECL caravan?
"I think, that will be the case. We have very strong team, and personally I will like very much to play in the European Champions League."

At the last World Championships Russia was 12th, but this time, at the LIEBHERR World Team Championships in Moscow host nation made a significant progress. They finished the competition at the position number 6. The first player in the team experienced Alexei SMIRNOV, however, was not so much delight after the Championships. "It is a good result, but do not forget we were at position number six four years ago too. So, I've been there. When you achieve something in sport, next time you always want more. I wanted the medal here in front of our spectators," explained Alexei SMIRNOV.

Russia was defeated in the match for the medal rostrum in the match against Germany."It was very difficult match, but we had a chance. Of course, it is hard to play when you know that Timo BOLL will win his both matches. I played five games against Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, and also Fedor KUZMIN forced Christian SUSS to go full distance. The good thing is that the new young players emerged. Kiril SKACHKOV and Alexander SHIBAEV proved they are mature for the first team" said SMIRNOV.

It was some dilemma about Alexei's participation in Moscow. "Even I was not sure until the very last minute am I in or out of the team. I was with the team during the preparation, but was not sure should I play or not. That is very tough position to be in. From 2008 I listen people talking I am to old for the team. Maybe such problem was the case again. But I am still here."

(by Milica NIKOLIC, EWT)


Photo: Alexei SMIRNOV (Photo ROSCHER)