Another hero of the author’s column of Handballfast is the head coach of the men’s national team of Russia Velimir Petkovic — about German pedantry, French cognac, Russian traditions and walks through sleeping districts of Moscow.
1. You have been living in Russia for three year and a half. What thing are you still not used to?
— Russia is a wonderful country, I’m satisfied with everything here. Atmosphere, architecture, people, service, cuisine. What’s more, until quite recently, New-York was my favorite city. And now it’s Moscow. It’s amazing!
It comes to ridiculous. When I give an interview to German journalists, I always speak enthusiastically about the Russian capital. Once my wife couldn’t stand it and said: «Probably, taking into consideration the international situation, you should praise Moscow less, shouldn’t you? Otherwise, people will think, you became a promoter...» Ha-ha! But I really loved Russia, I feel comfortable here.
My close friends are the only missing thing. Many of them would like to come here, but it’s too troublesome. It was easier before. Three hours in a plane and you are in Moscow. Now you have to travel with transfers in Istanbul or Belgrade. And there had been cover restrictions before.
2. Each country has its own traditions and superstitions. For instance, before a journey in Russia you have to sit a little «on the path» and keep silent. When we speak about plans, we spit over the left shoulder and knock on wood. There will be no money if you whistle in the house. And so on. Have you adopted anything in this respect?
— No. I’m not superstitious. Maintaining all the rituals and signs, existing in different countries, including the Balkan region, will drive you insane.
I was impressed by two things in Russia. First of all, I always look people in the eye when I talk to them. But Russians look away. Not only handball players, but common people. Why does it happen? I can’t understand. However, those, who constantly communicate with me in Moscow, already know: we look in the eye while talking.
3. And what is another matter?
— A man greets a woman by the hand in Europe, it is not accepted here. At first, I was surprised, but stayed quite. Then I asked Sergey Shishkarev before a certain event: «Ladies will be at the meeting. Can I shake their hand?» In response I heard the following: «You can. But then you should take the hand and kiss». I did so.
4. Do you already have favorite places in Moscow?
— Oh, a lot of them! The Moscow Kremlin, Manezhnaya square, Aleksandrovsky Garden are fantastic, I was there more than ten times, as well as at VDNH. I love parks — Gorky park, Poklonnaya Gora. You can spend the whole day walking there.
I read three books about the history of Moscow and I walked it along and cross during the first two years. I even visited the sleeping areas. I just chose a point on the map, called a taxi, we drove for an hour. I got out of the car and walked to the centre. I really enjoyed these walks.
5. You used to single out New-York before, please, explain the reason why.
— It’s a special city. I fell in love with it at first sight. So many skyscrapers! At the same time there are a lot of greenery, parks. It is an incredible combination. Once we celebrated the New Year on Times Square with my wife and sons. It was wonderful, a sea of lights… We still think about it.
New York was leading my personal ranking of cities for a long time. Berlin was on the second place, where I had settled with my family before. But now I understand, that with all sympathy for these megacities, none of them can be compared with Moscow.
In the same New York if you ride 5 km from Manhattan, you will find yourself in Bronx with mountains of garbage, criminal, people living almost in slums. There are troubled neighborhoods in Berlin, Stockholm, Paris… There is no such thing in Moscow. You feel safe even in the suburbs. Purity surrounds you in the street, in the subway. It’s great!
6. You traveled half the world. What didn’t you like at all?
— Oh… In general, I’m not the one who fixates on negative. On the contrary, I always try to find something good in everything. Probably, only one Russian town made a depressing impression on me. But my Russian friends told me: «Petko, you are wrong. You found yourself in the most undeveloped area, the government hasn’t gotten around it. If you had seen the central square, walked along the neighboring streets, you would have had a different opinion».
I avoid its name intentionally. I want to give another chance to this town, besides, I will be there again in January of February. I will take a walk in the centre and then I will understand everything.
7. Your home has been in Berlin for almost thirty years. What makes you a 100 per cent German?
— We have an iron discipline in the team, it’s the cornerstone. I had previously understood that nothing works without it. But I became even more convinced of it in Germany. I also inherited such qualities, typical for the Germans, as pedantry, striving for purity and punctuality, of course. I hate being late, I always go to meetings in advance.
8. How many languages do you know?
— I speak five Balkan languages — Serbian, Croatian, Macedonian, Slovenian and Albanian. And German as well. My Russian and English are far from perfect, but I am able to communicate. I hope to improve it over time.
I’ve understood over the years, that it’s great to learn languages! The more languages you know —the richer your inner world is.
9. The head coach of the football club Zenit Sergey Semak collects pictures and wine. And what about you?
— I don’t collect anything. I have three or four bottles of 50-year-old French cognac at home. But it is hardly possible to call it collecting. Sometimes I allow myself a glass in the evening. Not a 50-year-old one, but a simpler one. I keep that one for a special event. When one of our sons will finally give us a grandson, I will definitely open it!
10. You seem to have to sons, don’t you?
— Yes. They are twins aged 37. Nikola was born first, Ivan (with stress on the first vowel) was born ten minutes later. In Russian — Kolya and Vanya, haha. The elder son is a diplomat, he works in Basel in Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And the younger son is a surgeon. He lives in Berlin.
11. Are you interested in football?
— Of course! I played football until seventeen years old, I played for Borac junior team in my hometown Banja Luka as an attacking midfielder, I scored a lot.
Everything changed after a conversation with my school teacher, a former handball player. He assembled a team and convinced me to come to a gym. After a few workouts he told me: «You are talented! Leave your football...» He persuaded me. After all FK Borac didn’t have enough stars from the sky. But the handball club has repeatedly won the Yugoslav League and European Cups. I also won a lot of trophies with this club, including the Champions Cup. So, I don’t regret turning to handball.
12. Do you have favorites among football players?
— I have two favorites at the moment — Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Holland. I also know legendary players of the USSR national team — Lev Yashin, Eduard Streltsov, Slava Metreveli, Oleg Blokhin from the following generation. He is a great forward, who won the Golden Ball not coincidentally.
And I have no favorite club now. as a child, I desperately rooted for FK Partizan, but I lost interest with age. I watch big tournaments on TV — the World Championship, the European Cup, Champions League and several matches of European championships. I like how Dinamo and CSKA play among Russian teams.
I wanted to attend the match Spartak — CSKA. But when purchasing a ticket, it turned out that you need a FAN ID. I didn’t manage to arrange it quickly, so I had to settle for a broadcast.
13. What is the best rest for you?
— Books and a good company. When you meet with friends at home or in a restaurant, calmly discuss everything. No stress, you are sitting, drinking a glass of wine and enjoying communication.
13. What books do you read?
— I like historical fiction. For example, novels by Ivo Andric, a famous Yugoslavian writer. When I read his "Bridge on the Drina" and "Bosnian Chronicle" in youth, I understood little. I decided to return to these books in my mature years, and the impression was completely different! At that moment it became clear, why Andric was awarded the Nobel Prize.
I also learn with interest biographies of political leaders, great sportsmen, coaches and detailed interviews of my colleagues as well, not only handball. If I’m impressed by any thought, I put it down in my notebook.
15. Was there anything particular, that etched in your memory from the latest?
— A story by Zeljko Obradovic, the greatest basketball coach, who won the European League nine times with five clubs. He leaded FK Partizan in 2021 with many young players. When meeting them he asked two questions: "Do you love basketball? What are your goals?"
If someone trained badly, didn’t work enough or violated the regime, Obradovic called him and said: "Do you remember, what I’ve asked you? Are you still ready to move towards your goal?" And that was all, his attitude immediately changed. He put these ideas out of his head, started to work hard again and gave one hundred percent.
16. Did you manage to read at least one book in Russian?
— Even two! "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina". Frankly speaking, it wasn’t easy, I used a dictionary all the time, since my Russian is not as good as I would like. But the main thing is that I read it to the end!
17. It’s not a feat, but there is something heroic in it. And what about Russian cinema?
— I watch it! It’s an excellent way to pull up the language and to learn the history of your country at the same time. I enjoyed watching "War and Peace", "Doctor Zhivago", series about Ekaterina II… There were more good movies, but I don’t remember the names now.
18. What dish do you ask your wife to cook, when you are absent for a long time?
— Sarma. It’s our national dish, reminding stuffed cabbage leaves, but with sauerkraut. I also adore different soups. Chorba, goulash and, of course, Russian borsch. It’s gorgeous!
19. Two traditional questions at the end. A famous tennis player Yevgeny Kafelnikov once told me: "I can’t stand blondies and cognac". What do you dislike?
— I disagree with your tennis player! I love both. And my wife is a blonde...
Concerning the things, that are disgusting to me, insincerity comes first. I cut such people out of my life at once. I can’t stand exotic cuisine either. Indian, Japanese, Chinese. Even if I’m very hungry, I will never order sushi or Peking duck. I prefer European meals.
I like everything in Russia except a herb, which is often added to salads and served with meat. What is it called… Cilantro! Exactly! It’s extremely disgusting, just the smell of makes me sick.
20. The six-time world champion in swimming Yuliya Efimova once said: "I’m mean, hot-tempered, stubborn". Can you also honestly characterize yourself?
— I’m hardworking. Determined. Emotional. I try to surround myself with reliable, hardworking people in any team. It’s the only way to achieve a result.
*Author — Sport-Express columnist, specially for Handballfast
Photo: personal archive of Velimir Petkovic
