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- Valdemaras, what influenced your decision to go to Perm?
- There were two main reasons. The first - my impressions of previous visits to Perm to Christmas Cup and All Stars of Russia match. The second - I saw that people here love basketball as in Lithuania and do as much for it as in my country, they work with children, train a high-level team...
But honestly, that time I did not think of coming to you as a coach. I was going to stay with Kraitene - to play, to coach, to make a team I saw... I had plans for three or four years. But at present conditions are very bad there. Cold arena, no place of your own, long travel to practice - 260 kilometres twice a day... Though we made a team that got to playoffs for the first time in history! And the President dissolved it for unknown reason. I looked at it all and started thinking about other variants.
I got Ural Great's offer after the Championship when two or three weeks were left before starting training. They called me and asked, "What about assisting Belov?" I thanked, talked to my wife and thought what to do next. I had other offers - from Poland, Kiev. But I don't know Poland at all. And in Kiev they suggested me more to play than to coach. My wife talked me out of it, "You are more than 40, a lot of old injuries, you'd better not play." I thought it over and accepted Ural Great's offer.
- Have you signed the contract with the Club?
- Yes, the same day when I accepted the offer.
- How are you going to share coaching among you and Belov?
- Fifty fifty. One practice is mine, the next is his. And we consult on any question.
- Were you afraid to change Spain and Lithuania for Russia?
- I was not afraid of Russia. I lived in it for some years! The main place for travelling was Moscow. We came to tournaments... I remember it and I have not changed. Yes, you get used to comfortable life abroad very quickly and it's hard to reject it.
- Are you going to work for Ural Great only as a coach? Are you thinking of coming into the playing ground as in Kraitene?
- There are many good players at my position here. Of course I can play but I would like to start my job as a coach. With Lithuanian National team I was running and throwing at practices just like them. In Spain I was training for weeks. But when I came home - things to do, redecoration - three weeks without throwing into the basket.For the first time in my life! I Perm I've started training again little by little... Of course, I don't run with the team for two hours. And who knows maybe I will play in Korac Cup if my experience is needed and I will be fit.
- Valdemaras, what is your impression of Ural Great after the first practicies?
- I am happy with what I saw. No dissatisfaction with the players. They are hardworking even when they are tired. It's a good sign.
- What are their chances in the Championship? Can they compete for the gold medals against CSKA?
- When there is such a basketball fever in the city, it is quite clear that the goal is to win. But it's not our aim for the season.Of course we will fight, but mostly feel what we lack. We are just forming the club and the team. Yes, it is quite possible to buy good players and start playing only for win. The second way is more effective. You should take children, young people, train them and to have a strong team in a year or two. There is no club that won at once. Recall how Zalgiris was going up...
- Valdemaras, you are in Spain for a long time. Now you are in Perm. Can you compare?
- People in Perm are very much like in Spain. Open-minded, friendly. Children like music, making fun. I like it.
- What don't you like?
- Perm streets. Impossible to drive, a lot of cars.
- Has the Club rented the flat for you?
- No, not yet, I am staying in a hotel now.
- Is your family with you?
- My family is in Spain and is not going to leave it for ever, but they will come to visit me.
- Good luck to you and Ural Great! May all your dreams come true in Perm!
- Thank you!
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