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10 April 2008-The Playoffs are just around the corner More…
08 May 2008, №17521
P. Lysenkov
San Jose Goalkeeper Evgenie Nabokov: I'm No Messiah!
For two days your Soviet Sport correspondent has been trying to reach Evgenie Nabokov, and yesterday at last the San Jose goalkeeper picked up the phone.
I SLEPT ALMOST THE ENTIRE DAY
-In an interview with Soviet Sport, RHF president Vladislav Tretiak has already gone over the details of his negotiations with you. You have already confirmed that you will play for the national team and have even reserved a room for yourself in the hotel "Concorde". Tell me, how did your physical go with San Jose?
-"Everything is good, simply outstanding!"
-Are you flying to Quebec during the daytime on the 8th?
-"Oh, I'm not going to name an exact time. I haven't even seen the flight schedule. They sent me an e-ticket via email. But I think that I arrive in the evening."
-You cannot even imagine how they are waiting for you here! I imagine the last two days your phone has been ringing off the hook with reporters.
-"I honestly don't have any idea. We arrived very late from Dallas after the game, and I slept almost the entire day. I only picked up my cell phone twice, to talk to Tretiak and with Bykov."
-Have you ever played as difficult a game as that one with Dallas? A decisive playoff game, four overtimes, and you allow the deciding goal in the 130th minute.
-"I've never seen such a marathon. But physically I feel absolutely normal now. I had a good sleep and everything is all right."
I'LL BARELY PLAY AGAINST THE BELORUSSIANS
-If you arrive on the 8th in the evening, then you will hardly be able to play on the 9th-- presumably against Belorussia. You won't even have time to practice with the team. We've heard that Bykov will put you in reserve for this game.
-"You are probably right. I'll barely play against the Belorussians. But by the 10th I'll be in the net. Who are we playing against? Switzerland?"
-Most likely. Tretiak said that you were following the news about the national team even during the playoffs. Is this true?
-"Naturally. I kept up with everything."
-And what were your first thoughts when you heard that our first two goalkeepers, Varlamov and Yeremenko were injured?
-"I was sorry that it turned out that way. I knew exactly how Bykov and Tretiak felt at that moment. I think that they were hoping that I would leave the playoffs as soon as possible" laughs Nabokov.
-But Bykov publicly stated that he wished you and all the Russian NHL players only the best success in the fight for the Stanley Cup. But as for the others.... it is not an exaggeration to say that all Russian hockey fans were supporting Dallas.
-"And the Stars could never dream of such powerful support!" smiled Zhenya.
-On the other hand, you can imagine what kind of expectations are on you now. The see you as a savior. "Here comes Zhenya from San Jose to save the Russian team".
-"I would not even begin to use such big words. I am no messiah. But I will do what I can. It is for this reason that I am hurrying to get to the team."
ONLY GOLD IN CANADA!
-This will be your debut in the World Championships?
-"Yes."
-Are you nervous?
-"I consider my performance in the 2006 Olympics in Turin as my debut. I don't see anything unique here now. I can already guess what the team atmosphere will be, and how to prepare for a team playoff. I'm expecting a good game without any type of nervousness."
-Do you have anything to prove? You've had an outstanding year in the NHL. You've been nominated for the Venzina trophy for best goalkeeper of the year. You took the Sharks to the quarterfinals of the Stanley Cup playoffs, where you lost in a spectacular fashion. Now you have the chance to end the season with a huge victory-- to take the gold at the World Championships.
-"Any sportsman works for this to prove to himself and to others that he is the most powerful and wants to be victorious. The Russian National team has assembled in Canada to win the gold. We cannot have any other goal."
-Have you talked with any of your teammates?
-"Not yet. I slept yesterday, and I've been in the weeds all day. I will be arriving soon and we can talk all about it. Until we meet in Quebec!"
