The HFR announced the departure of the head coach of the Russian national team Velimir Petkovic. The German specialist had led the team since 2020.
— I’ve been thinking a lot what to say and how to say and I even prepared three versions — in Serbian, in German and in Russian. I came to Russia in 2020, when the national team took one of the last places at the 2022 European Championship in Sweden. I have always wondered, why such a strong team cannot realize its potential. Since that moment we performed well at the European Championship in Slovakia and Hungary, where everyone was inspired not only by the results, but also by the attitude to the issue.
Many people throughout the world told good things about our team. We had a goal — to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris. Unfortunately, we suffered undeserved penalties and lost our opportunity to compete with other teams on the court. Despite difficult times, we never had any problems or misunderstanding within the team, and the atmosphere in the national team was always great. I would like to thank the HFR for our joint work in the past four years, Sergey Nikolaevich Shishkarev and Lev Gennadyevich Voronin personally for their support and mutual understanding. As well as my assistant Valentin Buzmakov and the entire administrative staff. We have always played for each other and tried to do our best to achieve the best result, — the HFR web site quotes the coach.
— You proved to be that person, who didn’t just expose completely, but who was an example of a true friend and a professional. I ask you to share a detailed report and your vision of what is necessary to change and improve in the work and preparation of young specialists. I promise you that we will pay close attention to that document. I hope that we will find an opportunity to maintain close warm relationships regardless of our busy work schedules, — the head of the HFR Sergey Shishkarev said.
Photo: the HFR press
