Alexey Verbov: I believe that Russia simply postponed the World Volleyball Championship
Alexey Verbov: I believe that Russia simply postponed the World Volleyball Championship
Former libero of the Russian national volleyball team and head coach of Kazan “Zenith” Alexey Verbov hopes have been heightened that the World Cup, which is serious for Russia due to the situation in Ukraine, will take place in the coming years.
“The World Cup without Russia is, of course, incomplete to some extent, since we are in the top three of the international rankings and are favorites in any tournament. The new champions will be inconsistent. But what does this say, such a situation as it is. It remains only to wait, expect and believe that everything will return to normal and we will take part in the next world championship, and for starters, in qualification for the Olympic Games next year.
Of course, it was an international volleyball tournament in Russia after the 1980 Olympics. The entire volleyball community, all the fans were waiting for him. It’s a shame that this happened. But I believe that everything will work out. Maybe not in the near future, but we can hold one of the world championships, as we have all the infrastructure prepared. I believe we just put it off.
I think that in Russia, in those cities where the right games should be, we could see more visibility. So far, at the moment, the picture in the form of empty stands is not impressive, but not at home matches. The Poles are a team with traditions and cultural fans at a very high level there. Poland is the most volleyball country. like criminals. In Slovenia, too, loves this game, always comes his love. I think it would be better for the participants in Russia, because when you play in empty stands, the entourage flickers. In Italy, in 2017, the World Cup was held in full stands: there were a lot of people in Bari, Milan, Turin. It was interesting. I think that closer to the final stages of the development of events, there will be more people, and fans from other countries will catch up. Then the TV picture will be more interesting, ”Verbov said in an interview with the correspondent of the Championship, Sofia Kolodkina.
Silence and empty stands. Who needs the world championship in volleyball, which was taken away from Russia?