Vladislav Yemchenko has been through the entire training system of the Lokomotiv-Kuban reserve team, starting with the DYBL team. For several seasons now, the Krasnodar team cannot imagine being without him. Thanks to his performance, this is not the first time that he has been called up to the Russian national team. The last summer training camp, which ended with the Friendship Cup in Perm, was no exception. “Championship” correspondent Alexander Zoteev traveled to the Kama region and spoke with the Lokomotiv defender and the Russian national team.
Vladislav Emchenko
Photo by: RFB
— How important is it for players and coaching staff to meet with the national team, especially when there are no official matches? – This is really important. Of course, you can wait until the official games start. But I think these training camps are intended to ensure that we are fully prepared for official games. Everyone in the national team wants to defend the colors of their country. These are completely different emotions and atmospheres in the team, especially when there are a lot of young guys. Personally, I experience positive emotions and I am very glad that there is an opportunity to organize such tournaments and play with other teams. This is great.
— The Russian national team won all the matches in the Friendship Cup. Maybe someone played above your expectations? — Sasha Chadov surprised me, especially in the first match, he scored important shots. In general, most of us showed a stable game. Of course, we would like to give a chance to young players; we have a lot of 17-19 year olds. But I understand the coach, he already trusts more experienced players. When these matches are important, where every possession counts, like in Parma or the third round, [игра] It’s difficult to give time to young players in Venezuela. So I won’t single anyone out. I’m glad we won all the games.
— One of the biggest news of the off-season is that Andrei Vedishchev became the coach of Lokomotiv. How did the players react to this news? — So I was already available for the national team. I found out about it after training, I saw the news and contacted the guys. I was surprised, it was unexpected, but I liked Andrei Vladimirovich’s words. He created this club, raised young people in us, invested his soul in it. Of course, this is a new step for him – to be a coach. But why not? He understands the game and he himself was a successful basketball player. He definitely has his own vision and understanding. Our job is to play. We will get together and understand what he wants to see from me and the team. I will always give 100%, fight in attack and defense, do everything to make the team win.
Vladislav Emchenko
Photo by: VTB United League
— After your appointment, you said that it was important for you that everyone in the team understood their role. You have not yet had the opportunity to communicate with him personally, but perhaps you talked to him in some way last year and roughly understood the role you will play under Andrei Vladimirovich? – I can roughly imagine it. I think we will meet, we will talk and he will express his expectations again. He always told me to try harder. At the end of last season we talked, he sees me as one of the leaders of the team, because I am a point guard who directs the players. He was always in favor of me taking responsibility, so that we would not give everything to the American players and they would decide everything, but not us.
He always encouraged us Russian players to show initiative, creativity and gain confidence and experience. So, I hope his opinion of me and us hasn’t changed. If he sees me the same way, then that’s fine.
— Loko has a lot of new arrivals. How would you rate the transfer campaign? — As for the Americans, Loko always selects players carefully. I don’t think there were any miscalculations or risky moments. They approached this with understanding. And as for the youth, yes, there are youngsters: Misha Vedischev and Seva Ishchenko were also brought in to gain experience. We have always had and will always have a Russian backbone.
— What do you think about the transfers of your competitors? Is it perhaps possible to identify a pre-season favourite? — Well, Zenit, for example, last season seemed to be the favourite with a crazy line-up and should definitely have been the first. But everything turned out differently. We can say that Loko is the favourite (laughs). Zenit has strengthened well, UNICS and CSKA, as always. I hope that Yenisei, Parma and Samara will maintain a good level of competitiveness. The more teams try to be at the same level, the more interesting the matches will be for the fans.
—Do you have any personal goals for the season? Maybe aiming for the All-Star Game? — The most important goal is to lift the VTB League Cup and win the gold medal. This is the main goal. I also added the All-Star Game to my list. I will do everything to help the team win. If you need to score 30 points, make 10 assists, 10 rebounds, I am totally fine with it. If I am invited to the All-Star Game, I will gladly go.
