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ARSHAVIN: NAME THE ZVEZDA WINNER ONLY AT CEREMONY
On Saturday night two hours after the match Russia
vs. Azerbaijan Andrei Arshavin was awarded Zvezda-2008.
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Andrei Arshavin Photo SPORT
EXPRESS
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During the ceremony there was a rush for Arshavin. But Andrei
himself gave no signal that he could hardly stay - his injured foot hurt
badly. That is why Sport Express postponed the interview till Sunday.
- Main question: How is your foot?
- To tell the truth - there is nothing serious. Yesterday when I was kicked
right into the sore place I had pain shock. And today I feel much better.
- And how hard was the Zvezda award ceremony for you with the injured
leg?
- The ceremony itself was good - it is always pleasant when people award
you and tell many warm words. I liked everything. But when dozens of journalists
attack you simultaneously it is much harder.
- If you had the chance to write the scenario of the ceremony proceedings
what would you change?
- I would not announce the results in advance. Somewhere at the end of
December or in January one can gather three candidates and announce the
winner. There must be intrigue. And moreover when people caress only one
person this one feels uncomfortable - I say it from my own experience.
- But try to gather you Zhirkov and Tymoschuk in one place in December!
- Of course it is difficult but just imagine how spectacular it would
be!
- Didn't the course of the match against Azerbaijan spoil your mood before
the ceremony?
- Yes, we failed to show our best football and hardly lived up to hopes
of our supporters. But at the same time we looked confident, calm and
gave no chances to the opponent. It is important that we scored before
the half time. And our defence was very good, we let the rival have the
ball but they could do nothing with it, except for that shot in the post
in the added time. I can say that after the second goal we did not stop
playing but turn to positional ball possession.
- What is the main reason why the play of the Russian national team was
not that spectacular?
- Azerbaijani team showed good game and spirits. We played slower than
we can probably because we wanted to be maximum reliably. I know little
about the game of the Azerbaijani team and cannot comment on their actions.
But everything in the match depended on us, if we showed our best game
there would be no problems.
- Are you going to show it in the game with Lichtenstein?
- We want to do it very much. But in the coming match again the result
would be most important.
- Is it necessary to change anything before the next game?
- No, I don't think so. It is no use running into extremes, we just need
to be up to the game. Of course we should play better and I think Guus
Hiddink will do his best to give us a shake.
- Who will compete for the Zvezda award next year?
- To tell the truth I saw that my predictions are only true for the Golden
Ball. So I can say that Messi is going to with the trophy next year. But
I cannot name the Zvezda winner. But I think there will be three-four
players of our national team among the candidates.
- By the way we are not against you making the first hat trick in the
history of the competition?
- What concerns hat tricks I would prefer to do one in a match of the
national team.
- I suggest - in the match against Germany.
- Then I would definitely win the third Zvezda! But now I should think
not about Germany but about Lichtenstein.
Sport
Express Daily, 30 Mar 2009
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