the Current collection is not quite complete preparations for the autumn field games. Kovalev deliberately caused the athletes to 27 years, and in the cage team includes about a dozen players older than this age boundary. So summer camp in the Moscow region more correctly described as screening.
the Honored coach of Russia 51-summer orenburzhets Alexander Kovalev – specialist in women’s basketball is known and reputable. He has repeatedly joined the main team of the country at major international competitions, very effectively worked in the now-defunct CSKA Moscow, the Kursk “Dynamo” in “Spartak” of Moscow city Vidnoye (after renaming – “Sparta & K”), in their homeland with “Hope”. However, the greatest success a trainer has achieved a leading Russian teams of the reserve. Kovalev was one of the creators of our high-profile triumph at the youth world championship in 2017 among girls under 19 years, when the final managed to upset the hitherto invincible Americans, nine years earlier led the Junior (under 20) to the continental title, won the student team silver world Universiade. Last year, Kovalev has won the European championship with younger age (under 16 years), and a few months later was appointed the helmsman of the national team, replacing the dismissed German Olaf Lange.
In conversation with the correspondent “RG” the coach said about the current state of the team, the strategy for the remainder of the tournament, the qualification of Eurobasket 2021 and frankly identified the individual pain points of the process of formation of the team, capable of solving at the European level serious problem.
At the beginning of the collection, a number of personnel problems. What is their essence?
Aleksandr Kovalev Originally I called 18 people, seven identified in the backup list. The current Protocol in the context of a pandemic requires those who came to the gathering place by plane or train, to undergo further quarantine. The first classes were able to participate only 10 players, then they began to catch up with the others, but in the process of in-depth medical examination participation in the collection was contraindicated Camille Ogun and Julia Gladkova. The first is not fully recovered after the micro-operation on the eyes, the second – problems of musculoskeletal system. Called up from the reserve center Valentina Kozhukhar, who joined the club midseason from Kursk to Prominent.
had to be nervous because of a hitch with one of the key players – Central Mary Fadeaway. Our captain even before charges independently took the test for the coronavirus, which showed a positive result. Fortunately, the diagnosis was not confirmed: Mary almost immediately underwent a series of additional tests, and all heand it was negative. After that she was allowed to call on base in Novogorsk, where in accordance with medical Protocol of the Ministry of sports and she passed another test also negative. In the end, Mary joined the team last 5-6 days later than the others. Another loss – Anna Zaitseva, who left Novogorsk for personal reasons. Now in the collection at my disposal 16 players.
Russian Premier League – one of the strongest European Championships, here played by many stars of world basketball and the WNBA. This creates a team for the shortage of performers?
Aleksandr Kovalev: the Deficit is and will be while in the leading teams to play the Legionnaires. But that’s a separate issue. I’m not sinless, sometimes in clubs for the sake of the result, which requires the user, to reallocate playing time in favor of foreign women. They are, as a rule, great professionals, not all of our girls are so combative and ready to fight for a place in the first team. In fairness, I note a trend. Bayburov Adelina, Yulia Gladkova, Gosselin Maiga, Olga frolkin went to Championships abroad is clearly not for the money – they want to play more, to perform in their clubs key roles.
Assistants you have are the same as in the beginning of the qualifying cycle?
Alexander Kovalev: Yeah, I don’t tend to change staff in the middle of the road. Help me Alexander Vasin Dmitry Shumikhin, for physical preparation meets Gregory Artemyev. Many management and organizational issues – experienced employee of the Russian basketball Federation Svetlana Lebedeva.
For a complete picture of what those older than 27 years and is part of the command.
Aleksandr Kovalev: Back line – Natalia Zhedik (Dynamo Kursk), Daria gets Wet, Karina Nizamova, Anastasia Shilova (all – “Hope”), Ekaterina Fedorenkova (MBA, Moscow); forwards – Anna Laskovaa, Anastasia Logunova (both ill); the center – Natalia Anikina (Dynamo Kursk), Ksenia Tikhonenko (“Hope”). However, the General list of candidates for the national team – not a dogma, in number and staff it can vary in either direction.
do Not really understand the approach to the profession some of the girls. Evgenia Belyakova & Elena beglova, in the form demanded in UMMC, for you have lost as previously announced the completion of a career in the main team of the country. They have that many titles with the team? They suffocate not in the busy schedule of her performances?
Alexander Kovalev: Judging by the tone, the formulation of the question you already answered. The heyday of the national team lasted for almost fifteen years, and those who win with the team a lot of medals, namely Maria Stepanova, Ilona Korstin, Svetlana Abrosimova, Olga Arteshina, Tatiana Shchegoleva, Irina Osipova – the ledgeAli in the form of Russia almost to the last. I’m with these players worked and know what they have a strong backbone and fighting spirit in the absence of pragmatism. They themselves are not spared. If now for different reasons Belyakova and beglova not in the team, so it’s time to “shoot” the young, they opened a chance.
You, in my opinion, taking first team took a big risk and reputation risks. The Creator of the landmark victory of the “youth” of the United States may be those with whom for the first time will be behind the final tournament of the European championship…
Alexander Kovalev: I’m in such a gloomy context, his invitation was never considered. And don’t even think your current post some riding coaching career. This is not an internal call, not a test of ability, but simply responsible work, the next step. I am in basketball for many years, know the business, never afraid to take on any team. If the leadership of the League, the coaching Council has entrusted me with this post – you just have to roll up our sleeves and try to bring the country benefits and the fans happy.
Home defeat against Bosnia last fall made me think that we went far back, that is what I saw over 20 years ago.
Aleksandr Kovalev What is your specific analogy?
At the start of Eurobasket 1997 in Hungary, Russia also lost to Bosnia one point, the competitors all did the weather “post” Razia Mujanovic. Now in Orenburg again soloed the center is a native of the Bahamas Jonquel Jones.
Aleksandr Kovalev I would not be so radically draw Parallels. Yes, basnicki in recent years at the level of team nothing special can not boast, but recently naturalized by the Jones – top player, played in Matches of Stars of the WNBA. Now she is one of the clear leaders in the ranks of the UMMC, several basketball players of the starting five of the national team of Bosnia are involved in strong European clubs. They had a whole load in Orenburg. Believe me, I am very much upset ended my debut as a head coach, and even in his hometown. About any underestimation of the opponent could not be and speeches, we were preparing for the match very seriously. In a tense ending just didn’t have enough experience, and the chances of winning were. Draw conclusions and move on.
There are nuances of the format selection on the European championship, with second place in the group might not get there. The autumn session of training starting in Switzerland, working on the maximum gap in the account?
Alexander Kovalev: No, wrong. In Switzerland you just have to win, and three days later we have a key match for the first place in the group – away from Bosnia. Although mathematically I your��the course understandable, I know the rules thoroughly. Start from the fact that the Swiss in the first round took precedence over Estonia with a difference of 10 points can keep the third position in the Quartet, and our big victory was a possible outcome of the Baltic underdog team (the”plus 30″ – approx ed) will not be considered in calculating the indicators of the teams from second places. But the thing is that I absolutely do not allow re-defeat against Bosnia! And instructed to smash the Switzerland players could be perceived as my doubts about taking revenge from the main competitor. Anyway, judging by the situation with the pandemic, while not iron November the matches will take place. Do not rule out a pause until February 2021.
What’s your coaching motto? And what is the overall concept on the tactics – defence more important than attack or Vice versa, or a reasonable balance?
Alexander Kovalev: Credo is simple – never stop on already achieved, you know exactly who I have in the squad, hence the ranks of the tactical concept. If simplified, in General terms, I believe the most important factor in the effectiveness of players in front line, big. In my opinion, in the current women basketball advantage in the attack in a more significant impact on the result than strong side of the defense.
