Eurolanche

Varlamov: We can win gold again

Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov is representing his home land in WC 2013 again. Last year winners have lost one very surprising game in round robin against France and also losing to Finland is considered as failure. But as we all know, play-off is something entirely different and anything can happen there.

Varly was at the goal against “Suomi” and faced only 24 shots from which he conceded 3 goals. None of the goals were his fault though. “Fins were fighting for win more; they were more patient and deserved to win. We were not playing a bad game and in the third period we were better team, but we failed to score some goals. It is our second loss in a row and if we want to succeed in this tournament, we have to start scoring goals. The most important games are still ahead of us”, said Varly after lost game against Finland.

There are rumors however, that Russians lost these two games to avoid Canada in the semifinal. With all due respect to team France, Russia losing to them sounds more like a sci-fi. Players didn’t want to even hear these remarks and rumors and claimed that this was not their intention at all.

Russian´s fans are famous for never losing their hope. Well even they are this year very pessimistic. Varlamov thinks that there is still plenty of time to improve their play and he truly believes in the Russian team spirit. “Last two loses didn’t leave any scars amongst us. The opposite actually. They encouraged us to play better, be stronger and be more eager to win. Losing is also part of the sport, you can´t win all the time. But of course to win, is our target for every game”, Varly added.

During lockout Varlamov went back to his home country and played fantastic games for his team Lokomotiv Jaroslavl. Also thanks to that, Varlamov considers past season as successful. “Season brought us good and bad moments. Thanks to the lockout, I could go back home. Play for Lokomotiv is always honor and joy. I was raised by this team; they gave me a hockey future. I will always be happy to go back there. NHL season was not easy at all, Avalanche didn´t clinch the play-off again, lost many games. But also these seasons can help for the future´s sake. We must learn from our mistakes and do not make them again. Colorado has a very talented team with chance to win”.

In contrast to team USA, Russian players spent most of their free time at the hotel. Helsinki is a small city, and Varly mentioned that he came here to play ice-hockey, win the gold medal. Time for vacation is after this tournament.

Basically all coaches are taking this WC as the last test before Olympic Games in Sochi next year. Varlamov knows that now it is time to convince Russian coach that he is the goalie that should be on Olympic Games. “It is the last big tournament before Olympic Games. I am taking this very seriously and want to prove that I am a great goalie to everyone. I want to win gold medal here again and also be in the Olympic Games team. But that is still a long time ahead of us and many things can happen during that time. Every player wants to be part of the team in Sochi of course, so there is high competition. Nobody knows who is going to make and who won´t.

Current Russian coach is Zinetula Bilyaledinov - former great defender of Soviet Union national team. So his tactics is mainly build on good defense. “Mr. Bilyaledinov is a great analytic and that is very important. He knows what is important and what to say to which player. He just might be the best coach I have ever been coached by. It is completely different style than in America”. Semyon praises his coach.

Source: rbcdaily.ru