"There is a feeling that the equator of sanctions has been passed and the situation will not worsen"

""On the eve of the start of the new season, CSKA President Andrei Vatutin gave a traditional interview to "Izvestia" and "Sport-Express". He said that he could prevent Russian clubs from returning to the Euroleague even with a positive decision from the shareholders of the tournament, explained the reasons for another reduction in the budget of CSKA, appreciated the selection of teams from Kazan and Krasnodar, and also allowed the signing of new foreign players during the championship.

"Fans need hope for the best, and that's absolutely normal."

— This summer, two important documents in international sports were released — the IOC directive and the FIBA verdict that Russian players can freely participate in competitions, and officials can be appointed to tournaments under the auspices of the federation. Nevertheless, it seems that nothing is changing for Russian basketball...

— In general, there is a feeling, it is a feeling, not an understanding that the equator of sanctions and restrictions has been passed or almost passed, that the situation will not worsen, although who knows. In this regard, I will allow myself a small lyrical digression. In various interpretations, I have been asked questions on this topic for the fifth year. At first, he answered in detail and in detail, then, as the conflict continued, the repeated questions from your colleagues already caused confusion.

But after some time, I understand and accept the nature of this interest, while the general situation remains unchanged. The fans need hope for the best, and that's absolutely normal. Hope for a return to playing with European teams. And this is the common desire of all those interested in basketball. I will not undertake to decide for others who and what to count on, but for my part I consider it necessary to identify the problems that arise with the potential return of clubs. Understanding these bottlenecks will allow everyone to better assess the current situation and prospects.

First of all, I would like to note that the ROC, the Ministry of Sports and federations are solving the most important state tasks of returning to international competitions with a flag and official status. This is a painstaking and long work, and it is impossible not to appreciate the concrete and significant successes along this path. The IOC's decision is a clear signal that even today, with the right strategy, results can be achieved. But the subject of our discussion is precisely the clubs, and I want to point out that the Euroleague basketball is a private competition for which the recommendations of the IOC and potential decisions of FIBA, alas, have an observational or advisory value. The Euroleague operates mainly within the legal framework of the European Union, which only increases restrictions and pressure. Look, it's not even possible to access the Euroleague website directly from Russia right now. It seems like a small thing, but, in fact, a barrier to viewer interest.

— Nevertheless, you continue to cooperate with the Euroleague as an organization, and quite actively. Does it make sense?

— Even if not in the near future, we still see ourselves as a part of the big European basketball. CSKA is an important part of the history of the tournament. For more than 20 years, through the efforts of the club's managers, coaches, players, sponsors and fans, we have gained credibility and the right to a permanent membership license. Therefore, we care about how the competition develops. And we don't want to negate our own efforts and investments. Moreover, the presence of clubs in the Euroleague, especially with the "A" license, is clearly and strictly regulated.

As one of the co-owners, we will have to pay very substantial compensation to the Euroleague for an independent exit. The same applies to exclusion from the membership: if the Euroleague Board had decided to do this, they would have had to pay. Another question is whether we would have received this money, but now, as they say, this is not about that. In general, the conversations from the series "let's get out of the Euroleague, let's go play, conditionally, in FIBA" are banal amateurism and lack of understanding of reality, especially since it is impossible to play under the auspices of FIBA for the same reasons.

"There are no random people in CSKA"

Andrey Vatutin, President of the Army, talks about motivation, the level of competition in the United League and the secret of the next championship

"Our budget is shrinking from year to year"

— But will you still be ready to return if the restrictions are lifted?

— You can use facts here, it will be easier to give answers. With the ongoing salary race (and Russian clubs were once blamed for it!) The budget of the candidate for the "Final Four" must be at least €45 million. Our current budget is a multiple of less. I have said more than once that earlier we had to include the so-called northern surcharge in our offer to a foreign player. She could be anyone, it's a matter of negotiation, but without her, it's difficult to hire top basketball players in competitive conditions. Objectively, with equal offers from Moscow and conditional Madrid, two thirds of the players will choose Madrid. Flying less, the climate is better, and so on. Now the status of a country involved in the conflict is being added to this. Do you think this bonus will be more or less for those who agree to come to Moscow and are guaranteed to be criticized and obstructed in some countries for performing in the uniform of Russian teams?

The next question is visas. I don't rule out that most of our fans don't know: it's incredibly difficult to get a Schengen visa right now. The European Union is constantly complicating this issue. In most cases, if visas are granted, they are for a specific short trip, and the rules are constantly being tightened, and individual countries may impose their own restrictions. The old story, when every player or coach had a long-term Schengen and moved freely to the games, no longer exists. What to do? Who can guarantee that Russian basketball players will receive visas? What should I do? Play the Euroleague with one team and the United League with the other? Besides, we have a lot of fans who are used to following the team, not to mention the tradition of trips to the "Final Four". Visa problems will hit them one way or another.

Another problem: The Euroleague is one of the most logistically challenging club competitions in all sports. Even teams from the center of Europe are exhausted by flights: 10 "double weeks". Let's say you have a game in Dubai on Wednesday and a game in Munich on Friday. There are no direct flights from Moscow, either scheduled or chartered. It is difficult to imagine the team's schedule in such conditions. And transportation costs will double. I don't think it's worth mentioning the impossibility of direct financial payments from Russia to Europe in the general list of problems I've mentioned: it's unrealistic to pay for a hotel and so on. And any ""workaround"" option can easily be blocked, which can result in a banal "steering wheel" for failing to attend the game.

In conclusion, I will say the most important thing on this topic: with a potential decision on the admission of Russian Euroleague teams, it will not be enough to make a simple decision on the return of our clubs. The organization will have to do a lot of work with the governments of all the EU countries involved. This is not a declarative process, but a very complex essential process that can only be carried out manually. I assume that consensus will not be found everywhere. All of the above does not mean that a return is unrealistic in principle. But so far it looks incredibly difficult.

— Is it financially difficult to return to the previous level?

"It's close to impossible right now. Our budget is shrinking from year to year, and many sponsors had to reduce their assistance last summer. Temporarily, I hope. We understand that the economic situation is difficult, and we are grateful to all our partners who continue to help the club, and to our fans who buy season tickets and tickets. On a positive note, we would like to highlight our contract with a new outfitter, a young but very ambitious domestic company. This is not only a financial benefit for the club, but also an opportunity to implement new ideas, including for the fans. We have already engaged in active joint activities.

In general, the difficulties have forced us to take a different look at many things that previously seemed mundane. And the fact that CSKA has won the United League three times in a row, losing out in terms of player costs to its main competitors, allows you to feel, if not a sense of pride, then a sense of a job well done. It is important that the club's office remains, made up of professionals, many people adequately play their role unnoticed by the fans. I am very grateful to them.

In a full arc: CSKA set a record and took the lead in the final with UNICS

The Army team scored 20 three-pointers in the second match and went to Kazan with a 2-0 advantage in the series.

"CSKA doesn't look like the main contender for the titles"

— This season you will play fewer matches at "Megasport" than usual. What is the reason for this?

— These are the conditions of the club's existence, left without its own home. This is our main problem, which is more painful and significant than any possible sports failure. You have to adjust and accept circumstances in which you don't have a priority choice. This season "Megasport" is even more busy than usual with ice sports — hockey, figure skating shows and tournaments, plus concerts and other events. Thanks to the United League for understanding the situation, and we worked together to find a solution according to the calendar. It is very important that we will meet with the top 4 teams on the big stage. Besides, we must not forget that renting the "Basket Hall" is much cheaper, and matches that do not arouse great spectator interest are simply more profitable for us to hold there, in Krylatskoye. We plan, as before, to help the fans get there by free buses.

— The preseason started with a series of defeats for you. Are you worried about this?

— With the exception of the sports result, I assess the training camps in Turkey extremely positively. We sparred with the teams of the Euroleague and the FIBA Champions League, checked our level. We looked at the reserves' capabilities and saw our performance in the absence of the injured Trimble. In my understanding, any negative result, especially during the preparation period, provides much more useful information than routine victories. You can't make mistakes in the United League playoffs, but right now we're just starting our campaign and we're not pursuing any tournament goals.

The most important thing is that it is clear to us that the season will be very difficult, and a light cavalry charge, as in the past, will not work. We must be prepared for this. Both us and the fans. Right now, the team definitely doesn't look like the main contender for the titles. For various reasons, but there is only one recipe here — to work and believe in yourself. There will be no miraculous transformation. I repeat, it is good that many problems have appeared right now.

— The VTB United League Super Cup is ahead, which will surely give some idea of the balance of power for the season. What are your first impressions?

"First of all, I would like to mention the work of the United League office, which ensured the participation of the Anadolu Efes Euroleague club in the Super Bowl." This is prestigious and useful for our teams.

As for the pre-season layouts, I think that UNICS and "Lokomotiv Kuban" have done a brilliant job recruiting teams, on paper they look like the main contenders for the championship. "It is very difficult to evaluate Zenit's bid, but I am sure that Dusko Ivanovich will do a great job." ""We have already assessed the competitiveness of Parma," Uralmash said, "and we have selected a good squad. In general, I repeat, we expect an interesting and intense championship. I am sure that the participants will honor the memory of Sergei Borisovich Ivanov, to whom the league dedicated the season.

— At the end of the off—season, you have only four foreigners - fewer than ever. Are you planning to select a limit later?

— We do not sign players based on their passports, but on their skill level, taking into account the balance in all positions. Of course, the recruitment process takes into account financial possibilities. We believe that we have achieved this balance compared to last season. Our only newcomer, Kirill Yelatontsev, has enough talent and potential to become a stable player in the rotation, although he obviously needs time to adapt and understand his role. A missed year, in fact, cannot pass without a trace. We will consider two foreign vacancies as our trump cards, which can be used in case of injury or if necessary, reinforcement. When it happens — in a week or in months - depends on the specific situation, the opinion of the coaches and, I repeat, finances.