"The level of the Russian championship has only become stronger after the sanctions"

One of the main events of the last days of the past 2024 year in Russian sports was the Russian Volleyball Cup finals. In the women's tournament, Dynamo-Ak Bars Kazan defeated Leningradka St. Petersburg at home in the decisive match. On the men's side, Dynamo Moscow defeated Zenit-Kazan on their home court. These two teams are leading the Russian championship this season - Kazan is in first place and Dynamo is in second.

In his interview to Izvestia, Pavel Pankov, Dynamo's liaison and silver medalist of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, shared his opinion about the won trophy and assessed the level of the national championship after the teams are suspended from international competitions in 2022.

- How important is winning the Russian Cup for you?

- Every cup, every gold is very important. We have been waiting for this trophy for a long time, we haven't won it for four years. That's why we were preparing for the final. We endured a lot and deserved to win the tournament.

- Why did you win such a convincing victory in the final - 3:0 over Zenit-Kazan leading in the championship?

- Clean play, teamwork - due to this.

- How do you evaluate the current season for the team and yourself?

- There have been some difficulties lately. But we will definitely overcome them. And in 2025 everything will be much better.

"Our clubs will be top of the Eurocups when they return"

Konstantin Bryansky, head coach of the national volleyball team and Dynamo Moscow, on the chances of success after the ban and the level of the Russian championship

- It's been almost three years since Russian clubs have been suspended from European cups. Has the Russian championship dropped in level during this time?

- It has only gotten stronger. We have the strongest championship.

- In December, Russian athletes were admitted to international competitions in a neutral status - we are talking about swimmers, figure skaters and speed skaters. Do you believe that in 2025 this will affect our teams in playing sports, including volleyball players?

- Let's hope so. We are waiting to be let in. And we are preparing for it.

- Do you believe that the Russian volleyball team can go to the next Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles under its own flag?

- Yes, I do.

- Will Russia's national and club teams quickly be able to compete for victories in major tournaments when they are returned to the international stage?

- Let's get right back into this fight. Our level is not falling - it is rising. Good foreigners are coming to us, young guys are progressing. That's why we have everything to fight for the highest places on the international arena when we return there.