Two days after prestigious Liebherr Super Cup in Moscow, bronzemedalist Vladimir SAMSONOV is with his family, preparing for newchallenges. Third place in Russia was the step back after runner upposition in Kazan 2007. but Belarus had his way of looking at thatsubject.
“I had a great tournament and I finished with the win”, explained SAMSONOV, positive as ever. The competition was strong and as Vladi predicted every opponent was hard to beat. “Maybethe opening match against Jorgen PERSSON was a bit easier, but everyset was a struggle. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV gives me a hard time for a 4:3in the second”, said SAMSONOV.
After two wins Vladi was leading in the group on his way to semis. Evendefeat against Igor RUBTSOV could not change that position. The homecrowd favorite made it against SAMSONOV second time this year. “Heplayed well, it was hard match. I wanted to win but he wanted more, Iguess. With SCHLAGER in semis I had open match. After his lead 2:1 Iwas little lucky, but it was his turn in decisive set. Final encounterbrought much relaxed game, with lot of nice points from PERSSON and me.Spectators get the chance to enjoy. In general, I am very pleased withthe whole tournament. It was well organized, had nice atmosphere andfull tribunes. Everything what is needed for good competition”.
His thoughts are already in Poland in Cajagranadas European Champions League forth round match against Bogoria. “TomorrowI will be on my way to Poland. It will be very hard match. It isimportant to us to outplay them. Bogoria had three 3:0 wins include oneagainst us, and lead in the group. We had to beat them this time”, said SAMSONOV.
Rare moments at home, Vladi spend with his wife Natasha and sons Victor and Ivan. “Victor spends a lot of time at the school. He is much more used to my absence. Ivan is still small and it is harder for him”. After moved to Spain, SAMSONOV family added one more language to the long list. “Ispeak Russian, Serbian, German, English and I am sorry that I can¡¦tspeak more of French though I spend eight years in Belgium. Natashaspeaks Serbian, Russian, English and French, also she can use German”.
Their sons are on the same track. “Victor attends Frenchkindergarten, and now he is in English and Spanish school. When we areat home I spoke with them on Russian while Natasha uses Serbian”, said SAMSONOV.
Source: www.ittf.com
