SALABAEV: TTCLM final determines entire season

Interview of Valeriy SALABAEV (Fakel Gazprom Orenburg coach) before the 1st TTCLM final leg against Borussia Dusseldorf (Sunday May 7th 13:00 CET live on LAOLA1.tv)

Fakel Gazprom Orenburg and Borussia Dusseldorf will play for the 2016/17 TTCLM title this Sunday (May 7th 13:00 CET) in Germany and next Friday (May 12th 14:00 CET) in Russia. Both matches will be live streamed on LAOLA1.tv. They met twice in the finals so far: Borussia was better in 2011 while Orenburg lifted the trophy in 2015. The 2011 crown was the latest one of German side who is the TTCLM record holder with 10 titles.

Today we present interview of Valeriy SALABAEV Orenburg`s coach. He won three TTCLM titles with Russian club. The upcoming final is his sixth in last seven seasons.

How do you comment the ongoing season so far?

The results of the TTCLM finals and the playoffs of the Russian Premier League will be the main criteria for assessing the team in the season 2016/2017. Let us wait for the results.

Are you satisfied with current shape of Orenburg`s players?

Almost all players of our team had some health problems during this season. I hope that our team players will fit in a good sports form to the final matches.

What do you remember most about previous two finals with Borussia 2011 and 2015?

In the first TTCL final we could not decide for a long time about our line-up and this thing did not allow players to concentrate on their individual matches as much as possible. In the second TTCL final of 2015 the most memorable match in Orenburg when the all our team players showed maximum restraint concentration and will to win

What could be crucial this time?

In my opinion the upcoming TTCLM finals will be very tense for both teams. There are no trifles because any factor can be decisive in such matches.