Russian Get Together Last Month

This decision was made by the coaching staff of the country’s first team before the June get-together.This get-together for the national team was held in Moscow from June 12 to 15.

The senior coach of the Russian team Dmitry Smirnov commented on the decision to gather in Moscow: “This is one of the largest gets-together before Israel, we will have to work very closely at this stage. The proven fighters, who defended the honor of our country in Greece, the participants of the April get-together in Stupino, the players approved themselves in the Championship of Russia in Volzhsky, and other very strong players, who we would like to see in a new format, were invited. On training ground in Moscow, we will be able to simulate the conditions by field size and coverage quality of the upcoming MiniEURO in Israel as closely as possible. The candidates who come from other cities, not only will live in a comfortable mini-hotel in the heart of the capital, by the way, fully booked for the Russian national team on these days, but also in a five minute walk from the training field. I hope both the Muscovites and visitors will like such conditions.”

Twenty nine candidates were invited to the get-together. Almost all of them are well-known in our country due to personal and team achievements in the most prestigious competitions in mass football, as well as due to regular broadcast of the matches with their participation.

The list of the coaching staff has been also expanded. Denis Lopatyev from Kursk and Denis Shchukin from St. Petersburg, as well as Alexey Smirnov who is still an active team player, have helped the Smirnov Brothers from Moscow.

The new coaching staff was pleased with the work done and the level of skill, which was demonstrated by the invited players. Denis Shchukin commented his debut in the national team: “I am glad and happy to be with the team. This get-together will be remembered for a lifetime. It was unforgettable!”

Until the coaching staff of the Russian national team determine finally the team list which will go to the Israeli city of Eilat on MiniEURO, it is planned to carry out a few more gets-together. Not only the geography of candidates for the national team and the coaching staff is expanded, but the training bases of the country’s first team. There is a choice. Besides Moscow and Sokolova Pustan suburban base the variants in southern Russia are discussed.