In an interview with a BUSINESS Online correspondent, Poletaev admitted that he could continue his career at Fakel, talked about working with Tuomas Sammelvuo and how he survived missing the Olympic team.

Several years ago in the Russian sports press Viktor Poletaev was called the “golden boy” of Russian volleyball. At the junior and youth level, he won everything he could with the national team, regularly admitting best player European and World Championships. At the age of 17, he made his debut in the Super League and the Champions League, and at the age of 18 made a significant contribution to the victory of Zenit Kazan in the Final Six of the 2014 Russian Championship.

A great future was opening up ahead, but at Zenit Poletaev was Maxim Mikhailov's replacement, receiving a minimum of playing practice for two seasons. At the same time, from the reserve of the Kazan club, the left-handed diagonal managed to break into the national team, making his debut at the 2015 World Cup, and until recently remained a candidate for a trip to the 2016 Olympics.

When it became known last summer that Zenit was leasing Viktor to Kuzbass, even the fans of the Kazan team were glad for the talented guy. The start of the Russian championship showed how much Poletaev is hungry for volleyball. 112 points in four games, including 35 points in the recent match with Torch (3-1). In general, the "golden boy" has already grown up and is ready for serious achievements.

"IN THE SUMMER I WAS CONSIDERED THE OPTION WITH THE" TORCH "

–Victor, how did the rental option come about? Who took the initiative?

- Last season, I had little playing practice. I understood that the time had come to change the situation, to move on. I didn't want to spend another year in reserve. I approached the coach: "Vladimir Romanovich, I really want to play, let me go." Alekno, as soon as he heard this, immediately approved and promised to help.

- I have been playing outside the home for a long time and my parents have always taught me to be independent. When I announced my decision to them, they supported, they said that if I feel that it will be better this way, I need to leave.

– In the summer, there were rumors about the "Torch".

- Yes, this option was considered, but in the end I ended up in Kuzbass.

– Together with a friend and longtime partner in the youth teams Pavel Pankov.

- By the way, the fact that we ended up in the same team is just a coincidence. My negotiations with Kuzbass began earlier than it became known that Pankov would also go there. Of course I was glad. Pasha and I Good friends, and we understand each other perfectly well on the set.

– Kuzbass leaves a good impression at the beginning of the season. Have your expectations coincided with reality?

- To be honest, I didn't plan anything. I went to Kuzbass with a great desire to play, with a spirit to work hard and bring maximum benefit to the team. So far, I like everything. We have on home arena the stands are close to the court and the atmosphere during the matches is great. The fans are very supportive. Flights, of course, are a little difficult, but I am slowly getting used to it. As for the city and living conditions, this is not so important, because I did not come to Kemerovo as a tourist.

"SAMMELVUO NEVER INJUGATES THE ATMOSPHERE"

– What can you say about working with Finnish specialist Tuomas Sammelvuo? What is this coach?

- He just finished playing recently, so he understands the players perfectly. What I like about him is that he never builds up the atmosphere when something goes wrong. On the contrary, it supports, explains what needs to be corrected. Usually the player himself understands that he messed up and if you press on him, it can be even worse. As for the settings before training and games, he knows how to find the right words and set up the team well.

– What is the strength of Kuzbass?

- Hard to say. There is no one pronounced element. Pankov and Kolya Apalikov have excellent serves, libero Lauri Kerminen plays very well in defense, he raises a lot of balls. We also know how to play on the block and in the attack.

- "Fakel" approached the match with "Kuzbass" in the status best team championship in playing on the block, but you showed 71% effectiveness in attack. This is space!

- We knew that the opponent was strong on the block, we sorted him out well, and the mood was excellent. On the other side were the guys with whom I played together in the national teams, and I really wanted to beat them. That evening I really did a lot.

– Is 35 points a personal performance record?

- Maybe I gained so much, but perhaps at the junior level. V official matches exactly a record. But all these numbers are of secondary importance. The main thing is the score on the scoreboard.

"IN" KUZBASS "THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CORRECT THE ERROR"

- In August, you and Dmitry Kovalev were the last to leave the location of the Russian national team before the team left for Rio.

- I tried, I really wanted to go to the Olympics. I understood that it would be a great experience for me. It didn't work ... For some time, of course, there was an incomprehensible state. It seems that we just trained together, and the guys are at the Olympics, and you are watching the TV. By the way, I watched almost all the matches, rooted for the team.

– Last season, it was clear that you are very worried about mistakes. Everything is completely different now.

- At Zenit, I usually came out as a substitute and I had to immediately show myself in a short game segment. But it was not always possible to immediately get into the game. Of course, I was nervous, worried about mistakes. The next time there was not much confidence, there was a certain fear of letting the team down. In Kuzbass, if I make a mistake, I have the opportunity to correct it. It's much easier psychologically.

- It will be interesting, but not to say that I'm really looking forward to it.

– Because there is little chance of winning?

- (smiles). Well, why not? We will fight like any other team. A match with such a strong opponent will be useful in any case.

– With whom from Zenit do you keep in touch?

- We often correspond with Vlad Babichev, with Theo Salparov. Sometimes with Leon and Gutsalyuk. By the way, I sincerely congratulate Sasha on the birth of her daughter!

"GOLD" OF THE RUSSIAN CHAMPIONSHIP-2014 - THE MOST MEMORABLE "

– At Zenit you played with top setters. Whose programs were "candy"?

- Of course, first of all it is Nikola Grbic, he passed very well. We also played well with Igor Kobzar.

22.04.2017

How to get into volleyball instead of athletics, change Kazan to Kemerovo and what is the sporting dream - in an interview with Viktor Poletaev.

Kemerovo Kuzbass defeated Gazprom-Yugra in the first playoff match even without the help of diagonal Viktor Poletaev. Almost immediately after the end of the game, Poletaev signed a full-fledged contract with Kuzbass. He spent the ending season on loan, because Zenit Kazan owned all the rights to the guy, but now, by mutual agreement, he became a full-fledged player in the team from the coal capital of Russia. After signing the contract, Poletaev told in an interview to “Championship” why he didn’t play in the last matches, how long he thought about the offer of “Kuzbass” and how he ended up in volleyball at all.

"Tired" knee

I didn’t even take an interest in the figures indicated in the agreement, and this is not entirely ethical, you must agree: if the player wanted to, he himself told at least how many seasons he will go to the site in the Kuzbass uniform. I was more interested in why the most productive volleyball player of the regular season in recent times does not play. With this question I started the conversation.

There are minor problems with the knee, so the doctors recommended giving it a rest. Therefore, I had to miss several matches, although I train a little, - Poletaev said.

- Is it true that you went to consult with our specialists, were in Germany and Italy? What conclusion did the Aesculapians come to?

We decided that the knee was just tired of the stress. But since the MRI did not show any serious deviations from the norm, they prepared a special program for me to strengthen the joint and decided to carry out drug treatment without any surgical intervention. I drink various pills, mostly calcium.

- But the pain does not go away? Do you keep exercising? They were even announced for the match with Gazprom, although they never appeared on the site.

The guys did it without me. And now I don't feel any pain. I am not training at full strength. I fully follow the recommendations of doctors. If you remember, I missed several matches before the new year when I felt severe pain in my knee. Then everything somehow calmed down, and I continued to go out to the site. However, the doctors were alarmed, and together with the doctor of the national team, I went for consultations abroad. There they offered a sparing regime of classes according to a special program.

Kuzbass is my club

- Was it a little late in your transition from Zenit to Kuzbass? Maybe this should have been done earlier?

It seems to me that everything happened just in time. It would be worse later. Earlier? Not sure. Probably right that it was from this season that I became a player in the starting line-up and had good practice in a great club. And thanks to Vladimir Alekno for taking such a step.

- Judging by your words, you got where you wanted?

Yes, I like everything here. The team is friendly and close-knit. Full contact with the coaches - and with Tuomas (Sammelvuo - Main coach... - Approx. "Championship"), and with Nicola (Jolito - senior coach. - Approx. "Championship"). And the successful, as it seems to me, performance in the season is achieved thanks to the team spirit. If in “Zenith” there were all the stars, then in “Kuzbass” no one stands out, everyone is equal.

- And the fact that you were on the same team with Pasha Pankov also played a role?

Of course. It's great that we are performing together again. We started with the youth teams five or six years ago, together they became world and European champions more than once, both were recognized as the most useful players in various tournaments. We are friends in life, together free time we spend, and on the road we live in the same hotel room.

Exemplar

- Have you ever heard the name Andrea Sartoretti?

Yes, I did. And they talked about him.

- Have you seen him in the game? On the video. Now this is not a problem.

No, I didn't have to.

- Then I’m ready to recommend you to watch the semifinal match. Olympic tournament in Athens in 2004 between the national teams of Russia and Italy, when this player with very similar data to yours - also diagonal, also short and also left-handed - almost single-handedly, if possible, beat our team. He has a lot to learn.

Thanks for the tip. I will definitely follow your advice.

- One of your trump cards is an excellent presentation, like Sartoretti, by the way. Do you train her specifically?

Zenit paid more attention to this element. In Kuzbass - priority is for collective action. Happened, stayed after training with Vlad Babichev, libero. I practiced the serve, he - the technique.

Chelyabinsk - Kazan - Kemerovo

- Could you name the players with whom you were comfortable on the court?

You know, I have long cherished the dream that all the guys with whom I played in the youth team would get together in one team and compete in the Russian championship - Pasha Pankov, Ilya Vlasov, Dima Volkov, Zhenya Andreev, who played against us today, other guys. But this is hardly possible. But in the national team, and besides, with the same coach Sergei Shlyapnikov, this can happen.

- How do you like Kemerovo, how is the city?

It was not easy to get used to at first. After all, my formation took place in Kazan, to which I owe a lot, at least to my volleyball universities. But gradually I got used to it. Actually, I'm from Chelyabinsk. And I got my first volleyball lessons there.

- Why did you choose volleyball?

It turned out that it was not I who chose, but I was chosen.

- How is it?

We walked around the city with our parents. And the volleyball coach Lyudmila Alekseevna Timofeeva came up to us. I didn't attract her so much, I was only eight years old, and my dad - he is 197 centimeters tall, he was involved in track and field athletics. And my parents were going to send me to athletics. And then the coach was recruiting a group just my age - 1995 year of birth. So I got sick with volleyball. At first, classes were held only on weekends, so I could not wait for the next workout, I literally ran to the gym. And then I was invited to Kazan, and I began to play in the Zenit youth team since 2012. Then he got into the national team, youth, then youth. Now I really want to play in the main team.

- I hope it happens.

P.S. Our conversation took place before the expanded composition of the Russian national team for the World League was announced, in which Viktor Poletaev was not. But this is solely due to injury. Sergey Shlyapnikov called the player, asked for the opinion of the doctors and decided that it would be more important for the young guy to heal the ailment, which would take some time. But the head coach hopes that the player will be able to recover by the beginning of preparations for the European Championship, which will be held at the turn of August and September this year.

Lev ROSSOSHIK

The Russian youth volleyball team on the eve became the world champion, defeating the eternal rivals of the Brazilians in the final. The main hero and the most valuable player of the tournament is the 18-year-old diagonal Zenit-Kazan Viktor Poletaev, who amazes specialists with a fantastic leap, horrifies rivals with serves and collects personal awards major tournaments... The correspondent of "BUSINESS Online" collected all the facts and opinions about the rising star of world volleyball.

CHELYABINSK PHENOMENON

Young talent "Zenit-Kazan"

February 17 this year Victor Poletaev first entered the site of the Kazan Volleyball Center in the form of "Zenith-Kazan", replacing the Olympic champion Maxim Mikhailova... This event took place at the very end of the match with Shakhtar Salihorsk, won with a score of 3: 0, and went unnoticed for the majority of the fans already on their way home. However, for Victor himself, several debut draws in the Super League will probably be remembered for a long time. A very young volleyball player, who did not stand out at all in stature, jumped like a grasshopper, and twice easily bypassed the block of rivals surprised by such jumping ability.

“Alekno encouraged me, asked me not to worry and not be afraid to lose the ball. In fact, it was very difficult to contain the excitement, but I tried not to show it. The first points in the Super League added confidence in my abilities, ”Poletaev said after the match.

A native of Chelyabinsk attracted the attention of Zenit-Kazan coaches by performing for youth team... In terms of average performance per game (6.22 points), he became the best in the Youth League. In April Poletaev, as a captain, went with the Russian junior national team (players under 18) to the European Championship, and returned home not only with a gold medal, but also with the title of the most valuable player in the tournament. We can say that only Poletaev got one batch of Russians - 25 points in final match with Poland (3: 1). In July, the same team won the junior world championship (U-19) in Mexico. V decisive match defeating China (3: 1). Poletaev entered the symbolic team of the tournament as the best diagonal. And he did not receive the title of MVP only because his friend and roommate setter played as brightly as he did. Pavel Pankov.

For most juniors, including Zenit Andrey Surmachevsky, the season on this positive note was over, but in the name of Poletaev, Zenit-Kazan received a call to the training camp of the Russian youth team. Victor passed one more preparatory stage and went to the second world championship this summer, where he was to play against opponents two years older.

JUMPER OF FLIGHTS

In Turkey, Poletaev proved that it makes no difference for him who is against him on the other side of the net. Every second attack is a point scored, every fourth serve is an ace. Stunning statistics! But by volleyball standards Poletaev is quite a kid - his height is “only” 193 cm. But he compensates for this with a crazy jump. According to official data international federation volleyball, the maximum height from which Victor hits the ball is 360 cm! Even two-meter Mikhailov does not reach this indicator, Nikolay Apalikov and other players of the main “Zenith”.

Another plus of Poletaev is that he is left-handed. There are much fewer such players and it is much more difficult and unusual to adapt to them on the block. In Russian volleyball, the brightest left-hander was Alexander Gerasimov, who played in Zenit-Kazan in the 2007/08 season. As part of "Belogorya" Maxim Zhigalov, which in July became one of the winners of the Universiade in Kazan.

Poletaev's feeds are simply lethal. As strong as it is accurate. The Brazilians in the final seem to have dodged the balls more than they tried to receive them. Two matches with Brazil, perhaps, were the best for Poletaev in the tournament. In the first, which Russia discovered the tournament, the striker scored 28 points, and his team won 3: 2.

In the final, Poletaev fluttered like a butterfly and stung like a bee, not noticing the walls from the hands of the Brazilian blockers. Victor scored 8 points only in the first game and made 2 aces. The rivals were demoralized and could not find an antidote to the Russian attacks. As a result, 25:16, 25:16, 25:20. Zenit Poletaev and Ivan Demakov as a result, they became the most productive players of the team in the final. The first scored 20 points, the second - 11.

After Poletaev's phenomenal play in the final, the organizers had no doubts about who was the best in the tournament. The young prodigy from Zenit-Kazan received the MVP title of the tournament, and Russia - a rising global star.

VLADIMIR ALEKNO: "I WOULD NOT BE SLEEPING DEADLY"

Oleg Bryzgalov- Director of Zenit-Kazan, Vice-President of the Volleyball Federation of the Republic of Tatarstan, Director of the St. Petersburg Volleyball Center:

- It's nice that Russian volleyball is on the rise now: seven tournaments won in a calendar year. It is especially pleasant that this success is due to the merits of our club. So our guys shone at the youth world championship. Both Demakov and Poletaev worked very hard on themselves, were involved in main team, gained invaluable experience, which was useful to them in Turkey.

Poletaev deserves separate words. Winning three tournaments in a few months is an outstanding achievement. I don't even know if there were such precedents in the history of volleyball. This guy can be a great master. I want to note the attentive, scrupulous work with Poletaev of the coach of "Zenit-UOR" Andrey Kukushkin. He helped young player improve. Believes very much in his son and Evgeny Poletaev, who is constantly in touch with our trainers. It was a common effort that gave such a great result. Of course, we are counting on Poletaev. A long-term contract will give him confidence in the future and will allow him to focus only on his game.

Vladimir Alekno- head coach of Zenit-Kazan, coach-triumphant of the 2012 Olympics:

- It's good that at the junior and youth level we are in last years the strongest of all. But I would not flatter myself strongly. Unfortunately, quite a few players then make their way to the Super League teams. Let's see what will happen with this generation of guys next. As for our guys, I am very happy for Poletaev and Demakov. Both need to continue to work hard, and they will have a chance to prove themselves in Zenit-Kazan.

"VICTOR DIDN'T LIKE THE" TORCH "

Evgeny Poletaev- father of Victor Poletaev:

- I liked volleyball since my school days. He played quite often and, of course, planned to send his son to the section. Once we were walking with Vitya down the street, and a woman came up to us. It turned out that she is a volleyball coach. Apparently, she drew attention to the growth. We exchanged phones, and at the beginning school year I brought my son to her. He then went to second grade.

Victor's jump is a natural gift. This is difficult to train. But whoever went in for sports, he understands that after every big start, you need rest. They wanted to attract my son to the national team born in 1991, but we all decided that he should not go there. Vladimir Alekno contributed to the solution of this issue. Thank God, they gave the child a rest, because he is not two-core. Now he will come to us for two weeks and take a breath. It was clear that the last matches of the World Cup in Turkey were given to him quite hard.

At one time, my son was invited to the "Torch". He went to the training camp in Anapa, but somehow he did not like it there - he returned home to Chelyabinsk. On next year together we went to Kazan, where we met with the coaches and management. We liked everything and Victor became a Zenit-Kazan player. I will not guess when my son will play for the main team. I rely on specialists in this matter. Vladimir Romanovich is an experienced coach. He follows Victor's career and probably knows what to do to keep him progressing. I only wish my son the absence of injuries and good health. There is a hope to see him both in the Super League and in the national team.

After winning tournaments, Vitya came home and I watched him closely. I wondered if he had caught the star? I did not notice any conceit in him. He's a pretty humble guy by nature. My wife Anna and I are often invited to visit to watch the matches with Viktor's participation together, but we have a tradition of doing this at home. We sit down together, turn on the computer and cheer for the national team and our son. We are very worried and do not want to show our experiences to anyone.

Evgeny Kuznetsov- Director of Zenit-UOR:

- Two years ago, we noticed Vitya Poletaev at the Schoolchildren's Spartakiad in Nizhny Novgorod... On the first attempt to get it failed. Children's coaches and parents of children are very attentive to future coaches. When Zenit-UOR was headed by Kukushkin, Poletaev moved to Kazan, along with two more promising guys - Dmitry Emelyanov and Ivan Kralia.

The performance of our Zenit guys at the World Championships in Turkey did not come as a surprise to me personally. Vanya Demakov spent the entire last season in the main team and showed himself quite well, leaving for substitutions. Poletaev played in the Youth League and played very well. It immediately became clear that he was utterly stronger not only his peers, but also older rivals. And yet they still lack experience, so in the new season they will play in the Academy farm club. There we gather all talented guys, the future of Zenit-Kazan. In addition to Poletaev and Demakov, these are Vladimir Chivel, Semyon Dmitriev, Arseny Sarlybaev, Laurent Alekno and world champion among juniors Surmachevsky.

Poletaev is a unique guy and we need to take care of him. That is why both the Zenit management and the head coach Vladimir Alekno are categorically opposed to Viktor going to the third world championship in a year. This time for players under 23 years old, which will be held for the first time this year. We know that Sergei Shlyapnikov would love to take the guy to Brazil, but he needs to rest. Will play enough!

Next season Poletaev will gain experience playing major league"B" against men's teams, and in a year may well get into the main team "Zenit-Kazan". Now the task coaching staff"Academy", headed by the most experienced specialist Ivan Andrienko, is to comprehensively reveal Poletaev and work with him on the technique. There is no limit to perfection. The future belongs to universal players. The same Maxim Mikhailov periodically plays in the position of an outplayer, which allows the coach to change the tactics of the game.

THREE OPTIONS FOR FUTURE FLIGHT

Optimistic... After a season at the Academy farm club, Poletaev moved to Zenit-Kazan, where he was Mikhailov's replacement. Alekno regularly makes a double substitution at the end of games, using strong side Victor - serve. Mikhailov, who has been experiencing shoulder problems since 2012, is more likely to get the opportunity to rest. In some matches, Poletaev plays in the diagonal position, and Mikhailov goes into a follow-up game, and in some Alekno surprises his opponents with a reverse castling. Poletaev's universalism and technique are not ignored by the coaches of the national team. Victor gets to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and again defeats the Brazilians.

Realistic... After a season at the Academy farm club, Poletaev is rented out to one of the Super League clubs, which does not solve serious tournament problems and is not a direct competitor of Zenit. At one time, Alexey Obmochaev and Kazan volleyball pupil Maxim Shpilev, who spent the 2009/10 season at Dynamo Yantar from Kaliningrad, went through this path. Obmochaev last year became Olympic champion, and Shpilev is now one of the leaders of Tyumen, which has returned to the Super League. Poletaev returns to the Kazan club as a mature and experienced player, ready to play in the starting six and implement our optimistic version.

Pessimistic... Star illness, injury or other circumstances do not allow Victor to get stronger and break into men's volleyball. Among the MVPs of the last world championships are Brazilians Thiago Alves (2005), David Costa (2007) and Mauricio Silva (2009), as well as Russian Leonid Schadilov (2011). None of them were able to loudly declare themselves at an adult level. However, there are more pleasant examples. In 1999, the MVP of the World Youth Championship was Pavel Abramov, whose name is widely known in the world of volleyball. You can also give an example of the most valuable player in the 2009 World Junior Championship, Alexander Atanasevich, who replaced the legendary Ivan Milkovic, nicknamed the Terrible, in the Serbian national team.

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The past year really opened the world to the young volleyball player Viktor Poletaev, who for the first time became the champion of Russia as part of Zenit. The diagonal of the Kazan club told R-Sport correspondent Vadim Kuznetsov about how his career began, remembered winning the Final Six, Chelyabinsk and hot Mexico.

- I can name a dozen famous volleyball players from Chelyabinsk, and only Vadim Khamuttskikh is known among the volleyball players. And now you. Why did you choose volleyball, and not hockey, popular in the Urals?

My father played volleyball when he was young. He really liked it. How did it all start with me? We were going somewhere with my parents, and the coach herself came up to us and asked if they would like to give me to volleyball? I tried it, I liked it, and decided to stay. I don't remember what my height was then, but she probably paid attention to my father. His height is 195 centimeters - this is still a lot for an ordinary person. And hockey is still a more traumatic sport. But I can skate. When I lived in Chelyabinsk, I often skated, but now, of course, it is impossible. You can get injured.

- Is your mother tall?

Not really, about 175 centimeters.

- So, the genes of the father. Did he play at a serious level?

If I am not mistaken, he was called to the Riga "Radiotekhnik". He told me, but now I do not remember the details.

- Did you immediately like volleyball or at first doubted whether it was yours or not?

Even in the first grade I liked pioneerball, I always played with pleasure. And I liked volleyball right away. I waited for training all the time.

How did mom react to your transition to professional sports? These are injuries, and constant moving, and the absence of a home.

Only at first it was hard, but now, I think, everyone is used to it. There is not even such that I want to go home strongly. I come to Chelyabinsk in the summer, and that's enough. Parents call me after each game, they worry.

- Do they often come to Zenit matches?

They don't come at all. Only once did my father come to Yekaterinburg when Zenit played in the Final Six. I came and didn't say. He said that he stayed at home, and after the final match he approached. Probably didn't want me to be distracted.

- Is Ekaterina Gamova an idol for many novice volleyball players from Chelyabinsk? Who did you take an example from?

- Maxim is not much older than you.

Does not matter. At the age of 20, he was already playing at the Olympics.

Hope to get older

- Do you remember when you started to grow sharply?

There was no such noticeable progress. I was still very young in the sixth grade, and then more or less began to grow. I hope I will grow another 3-4 centimeters. There is progress in comparison with last year. Everywhere they write that I am 193 cm, but actually a little taller.

- Aren't you worried about your height?

No, two years ago, maybe he was worried, but now not. I have enough.

- Primarily because of your high jump... Do you do basketball dunks in training?

Now no longer, but when I was at school, of course.

- When did you first score from above?

Probably seventh grade.

- In the seventh? Well this is 14 years old?

And we still studied in the sports class. Girls are basketball players and boys are volleyball players. In physical education lessons, we played basketball. There he scored from above.

Winning the Final Six

I can't help but ask about the victory in the Final Six. Remember how you felt before decisive game with Lokomotiv?

I tuned in as best I could. The doctor even gave pills to make me fall asleep, but it didn't work. There was a tremor, but when I entered the dressing room before the game, everything went away. But the day before the match, the night ... It was hard.

Your first reaction when we learned that Maxim Mikhailov was injured and you and Roman Yakovlev will have to play in the Final Six.

Success cannot be built on someone else's grief, but, of course, I wanted to prove myself and worthily replace Max. First, Roma Yakovlev started the Final Six, made a few mistakes, they gave me a chance. I think I played well.

- Has your life changed a lot after the championship? Hundreds of letters from fans on social networks?

Yes, congratulations (smiles).

- Have you become more recognizable on the streets?

In Kazan, it happens that they find out. Especially in shopping malls.

- You have such a volleyball surname - Poletaev. Do you have a nickname in the team?

Vlad Babichev calls me "Empty". Why? You need to ask him this.

Chelyabinsk

- The first reaction when you learned about the fall of the Chelyabinsk meteorite?

I was very scared and immediately called my parents. My father said that he was driving at that time in a car, the car even began to shake. And in the hall where I used to study, glass windows were knocked out. Their prices immediately went up. They started doing business on the mountain.

- Have you bought a T-shirt with the inscription about the Chelyabinsk meteorite?

Yes, I bought it for my girlfriend.

- And the pieces of a supposedly meteorite, which are sold as souvenirs?

This, I think, is nonsense, so I didn't (laughs).

- Have you ever been to the legendary Chelyabinsk region of the ChMP?

Happened, but not often. We had games there in the district, so we had to come. But walking there is not. In Chelyabinsk in the evening you will not walk through such areas. In this regard, Kazan is quieter.

Mexico

As a junior player, you have played in many countries. Mexico was for sure, there were competitions in Europe. What do you remember the most?

It was very hot in Mexico during the World Cup. We lived in a hotel with no air conditioning. We slept on the floor - we saved ourselves as best we could. It was summer, about 50 degrees outside. And in the hall on one side there was a large fan, and all the time we stood there on the pitch in order to be closer to it. And so, we especially do not walk during the periods of the championships. Gym and hotel.

- What was the most memorable tournament?

I think the youth world championship in 2013, when we played in Turkey. The second coach was also sent there, no one expected that we would win.

- Tell a funny story about the coach Russian youth Sergei Shlyapnikov.

There weren't any funny stories. I ran crosses with him every day (laughs). Maybe I didn't like the way I train. I think it's no secret that Sergei Konstantinovich is a tough enough coach.

Study, Barney and New Years

- Free time after the transfer to the main squad of “Zenith” has become even less in comparison with the youth team?

Yes, we usually have two flights a week. And even if we play in Kazan, we check into a hotel. But after every match there is a day off

- How do you spend your weekend?

I try to sleep on my free day. Now I have problems with my studies. You can't learn to ride between workouts. If you go to school during the day, you won't be able to train in the evening. And so, cafes, billiards, bowling, cinema.

- Who are you studying at the Volga Region Sports Academy?

The coach. Often I can't walk, but I have to. There are debts (smiles). The requirements for everyone are the same. All athletes are there, so you need to study. Most difficult subject? Everything has to be taken there. Even athletics... I have to go to the arena, conduct a lesson there.

- You recently posted a photo with Barney the dog on your blog. How long have you had it?

This is our dog with a girl. They took him recently, he is only 3.5 months old and he has been living with us for two months. The breed is Maltese.

- He's very small now. Will it still grow?

Small and will be. Will weigh 1.5 kilograms.

“He has the Barney Dangerous Dog sign on his neck. Is he so angry?

We were joking. But, by the way, he bites quite unpleasantly.

- Your girlfriend is also a volleyball player. Who's watching Barney when you leave for away games?

She was a volleyball player and hasn't played since this season. There is no such thing for him to stay at home alone.

Alexey Verbov said that somehow he had to meet New Year at the training camp in the national team. Have you had this?

A similar story. We were at a competition in Riga. Gathered at 11 pm, at half past twelve went to bed.

- Do you usually celebrate the New Year with your parents?

I have not been able to cope with them for two years now, and this year again there will be little time. I'm not going home. I will try to spend New Year's Eve in good company.

Russian Viktor Poletaev - volleyball player high level... The athlete is still only 21 years old, and for several seasons he has been a key player in Kazan “Zenith” and is involved in the Russian national team.

School years

Victor Evgenievich Poletaev was born on July 27, 1995 in Chelyabinsk. At the beginning of school, the boy showed interest in athletics without paying much attention to other sports. However, in the 5th grade, at the insistence of his first volleyball coach Lyudmila Alekseevna Timofeeva, who noticed the talent of young Viti, he moved to the sports class of the school, where he began to train hard on the volleyball court.

In adolescence, having impressive data for playing volleyball, Poletaev Victor began to perform at regional and all-Russian competitions as part of their school. The power of an athlete, combined with a game vision and talent, did not leave the scouts of professional volleyball teams indifferent, and in early 2012, the 17-year-old Russian signed his first contract, becoming a player volleyball club Zenit (Kazan).

Junior start

From the first days in the Kazan club Poletaev Victor took one of the leading roles. The athlete's progress and ambitions have also drawn attention from the coaching staff of the national team, where the Russian was called up during his first season for Zenit.

As a result, in 2013, Viktor trained as a member of the Russian youth team for the European Championship matches, to which he went already in the role of captain. By tournament grid The Russians went very easily - in the group, the national team lost only 2 sets in 5 meetings, defeated Belgium in the semifinals, leaving her no chance, and in the final Poland was conquered, which managed to catch one set in the match. According to the results of the tournament, Poletaev Viktor was recognized as the most valuable player in the competition.

Double world success

Thanks to the victory at the European Championship, the Russian national team qualified for world championship where Victor was also invited. And at the World Cup, the Russians again did not experience serious resistance, becoming the unconditional winner, having given only two sets to their opponents in 8 matches. Poletaev, according to the results of the tournament, was again among the best, was chosen as a diagonal in the symbolic team.

Inspired by success, Victor did not stop there, and in the same 2013 he took part in youth championship world, where athletes took part two years older than the Russian. But Poletaev completely closed this nuance with his experience - in a difficult struggle, the Russian national team left the group from the first place, eventually becoming the winner, leaving no chance for Brazil in the final match. The youngest athlete of the competition at the end of the tournament was recognized as the best player in the championship.

The game at the heart of "Zenith"

The next season was marked for the volleyball player by hitting the base of “Zenith”. Due to the injury of Maxim Mikhailov, Poletaev Viktor joined the main squad during the games of the "Final Six" of the Russian championship, together with the club he won the country's Cup, as well as the national championship. In 2015, the collection of the Russian included a number of other awards. As part of his club "Zenith" (Kazan), Victor took trophies for the second time in the cup and national competitions, and also helped the team to win the Champions League, and take second place in the club world championship in Brazil, where Kazan lost in the final only to the local "Sada Cruzeiro".

Every year, Victor's progress was noticeable with the naked eye, and in September 2015 the volleyball player made his debut for the main team, playing under the leadership of Vladimir Alekno at the World Cup. 2016 was just another success for the athlete. Again Poletaev Victor won a number of national awards, won the Champions League for the second time in his career. But, dissatisfied with the amount of playing time due to Mikhailov's return to the base, which is why he did not get to Olympic Games, in the summer he agreed to go on lease to the Kemerovo "Kuzbass".

As part of the new club, Poletaev immediately showed how hungry he was before the game, contributing to local success and the growth of the team. As a result, at the start of the championship, Viktor for some time led the championship scorers' race. And now the athlete is waiting for the end of the season to try again to win a place in the main team of “Zenith”.