13.01.12 17:30 IA "Ile Lacroix", Rouen
Donbass
Yunost
Press-conference
The head coach of HC “Donbass” Aleksandr Kulikov:
- “I am sure you are satisfied by your players’ game today”?
- I am pleased with the result. The team met the challenges and plans of the game. We needed a victory. It was the first time that a Ukrainian team has reached the Final of a tournament at this level. It was a great honor for us. Our players were under pressure to achieve a result and probably, that was the reason why they didn’t play as well as we were expecting them to. However, everybody was striving and fighting. No complaints. Thanks to them, they were able to achieve a certain level and to get a very important victory for all of us.
- Did you notice that your colleague Michail Zakharov wasn’t honest, when he said that his team was not the same as before and the most important thing for them is not to finish the Tournament as also-rans?
- It’s just your thoughts. When Zakharov said that, that they came only to play with the Italians, I didn’t believe him. I am very sure that every team will play today for victory and all teams deserve respect. If you are in the Final, you need to take the opportunity.
- Was this match the most difficult?
- The following game wouldn’t be easier than this one, because we know that the opponent’s team has a lot of strong players. For instance, in the team of the hosts of the tournament are five Canadians, three Finns and two Swedes. That’s why they will play powerfully.
- Did the fans’ support help today in the game?
- We were very pleased to see so many of our fans today. To play abroad and to have such good support means a lot. Thank you all for your support in this Tournament.
Press Service of HC "Donbass"
