“I’m glad Russia isn’t here.” Interview with “our” most talented Olympic volleyball player
Andrey Pankov August 8, 2024, 10:00 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Zhenya Grebennikov joked about the Russian team, praised the French team’s progress to the final and spoke about the atmosphere at the Games.
The French volleyball team is in the Olympic final. In the semi-finals, the French, with unreal courage, defeated one of the main favourites: the Italians.
Olympic Games (m). Half-finals
August 7, 2024, Wednesday. 21:00 Moscow time
Italy: Michieletto, Giannelli, Balaso, Sbertoli, Sanguinetti, Bottolo, Galassi, Lavia, Romano, Russo, Bovolenta, Porro
France: Chinenieze, Grebennikov, Patry, Tognutti, Tiyi, Ngapet, Brisard, Le Goff, Cleveno, Luati, Faure, Jouffroy
The creator of the victory was also the French libero Zhenya Grebennikov. In case you don’t know, this is the son of the Soviet volleyball player and coach Boris Grebennikov. Zhenya grew up in France and has played for its national team all his life, but he also has a strong connection with Russia: now Grebennikov plays for Zenit St. Petersburg.
After the victory over Italy, we managed to chat a bit with Zhenya in the mixed zone.
“I have never felt such emotions in my life”
— France is in the Olympic final for the second time in a row. “I don’t know how we did it!” We started the match well today and constantly put pressure on Italy. We have lost to them constantly over the last two years: they attack with high balls, their service is excellent, but we play badly. Today there was total order with the training camps. We also have a great team spirit, we are all friends, we all support each other. It was a very difficult game.
– But it’s 3:0. – It still weighs on me. It’s very difficult to stay focused on every ball. The Italians lost to Japan 0:2, 21:24 and won, so they needed the maximum today.
What the Olympic Games semi-finals were like:
Poland suffered, France flew on the spot! Such different volleyball semi-finals
— Is this the best support in your life? – 100%. I have parents here, friends, family. This is a bomb! I have never felt such emotions in my life. The support is amazing.
— Ngapet in Türkiye is a marvel, but here the transformation is unreal. Why? — The audience gives him energy. Besides, we are a team of brothers, not just partners. We always communicate, even during the holidays. We are more than friends. Ngapet feels better with us.
Zhenya Grebennikov
Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
“My children are learning Russian”
—Do they write to you from Zenit? – Absolutely! Everyone is supporting us and writing: “Zheka, let’s go.”
— When you first arrived at Zenit, you were surprised that life in Russia is so good. How do you feel now? — St. Petersburg, pfft… it’s beautiful! It’s a bit cold, very windy, but I like it a lot, it’s a beautiful city. There’s everything for life. I’ve tried almost everything, from Russian cuisine, although I like French cuisine more. My children are learning Russian, but so far they find it difficult.
Great and cool interview with Zhenya Grebennikov:
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—Would this tournament be even stronger with the Russian team? – Certainly! I’m very glad that Russia isn’t there, haha. You have a very strong team! I’m sure they would like to take revenge for our defeat at the Olympics three years ago. So I’m glad that their team isn’t there, we have a better chance (smiles).
— Russia has a strong generation. Is missing a tournament a tragedy? — A very strong generation in all positions. It’s a shame that your team is no longer here. The level of the tournament would be even higher. We have been playing together in clubs for a long time, we meet constantly; the volleyball fans are very friendly, so everyone would be happy here.
