On Tuesday the Russian Men’s Volleyball Superleague completed with matches for the 9-12th places. Sport Express correspondent spoke to the Superleague-2008/09 best player Zenit-Kazan setter Lloy Ball, who turned two-times Russian champion on Saturday.
Last season the 37-year-old American setter Lloy bAll became the hero of his national team to help them win the World League and the Olympic Games. However it was not enough for the superstar and Russian Superleague playoffs ending became a logic continuation of these competitions, as he led his club in crunch moments.
The winner of Kuznetsov Award has never taken “+17” lead over his closest challengers in the overall standings. Lloy Ball earned 38 out of 64 points in playoff series, he has been voted the best player of the match twice during their finals against Iskra, including decisive Game 3.
"I won’t hide that gold medal at Beijing Olympics is the most significant achievement in my career", Ball told Sport Express. "But our victory in the Russian Superleague is no less important".
"Two years ago we had so many Russian icon players in the squad, such as Tetyukhin, Kosarev and Egorchev. That is why we didn’t have a feeling that our success was something supernatural".
"This year we not only became champions again, but we worked real magic and this gold medal is special for us. A couple of months ago nobody would believe that Zenit would be able to win the trophy, but we have done it. Frankly speaking I didn’t believe that we would manage to become champions. I thought that final series would be maximum achievement for us. However we escaped serious injury problems in playoffs and we were lucky to win the crown".
"Iskra has been tipped as favorites of the final series and I can name two reasons, which helped us defeat them. The first one is that Iskra players didn’t cope with pressure. Their stars needed to bounce back from their failures in the Russian Cup and the Champions League, while Zenit was not pressed at all".
"But the most important thing is that our coaches managed to prepare the team perfectly. Zenit came to the final in better physical and mental form than Iskra and I am sure it was clear to everyone".
"This Russian season was very difficult, so I want to have rest now without thinking about my national team. I would like to forget about volleyball for several months and spend this time with my family".
"I will play golf and watch playoff series in NBA and NHL. I support Detroit, so I would be glad to see them playing in the final series against Alexandr Ovechkin’s Washington".
"As for NBA, American fans are waiting for Lakers vs. Cleveland final and I am not an exception. I am eager to see the duel between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James".
