Vladimir RomanovLithuanian businessman, owner of the Minsk football club
Country: Lithuania
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Content:
- Biography of Vladimir Romanov
- Building a Quality Team
- Choosing the Right Coach
- Challenges in Player Selection
- Goals for the Season
- Popularity and Support
- Comparison to Russian Basketball
- Football Involvement and Scandals
- Future Plans
- Missed Opportunity
Biography of Vladimir Romanov
Vladimir Romanov is a Lithuanian businessman and the owner of the Minsk football club. He has also been involved in the basketball industry, specifically with the Kaunas-based team, "Zalgiris". Romanov has shared his club's plans for the upcoming season and discussed the challenges they faced in player recruitment.
Building a Quality Team
Romanov expressed his satisfaction with the composition of the "Zalgiris" team for the upcoming season. While they were able to acquire strong Lithuanian players such as Kaukenas and the Lavrinovic brothers, they were unable to secure the signing of Sharunas Jasikevicius, who preferred to join "Barcelona". Romanov regretted this loss as they were in need of a high-level Lithuanian point guard.
Choosing the Right Coach
When discussing the team's coaching staff, Romanov stated that he considered hiring former CSKA Moscow coach Jonas Kazlauskas, who led "Zalgiris" to victory in the EuroLeague in 1999. However, he ultimately settled on Spanish coach Joan Plaza, as they had a better understanding in terms of financial matters and tactical approach.
Challenges in Player Selection
Romanov acknowledged that they faced challenges in selecting players, particularly with American center Jeff Foote. It often takes time for overseas players to adapt to the European style of basketball. While some players like Ty Lawson struggled to fit in, others like Sonny Weems easily found their place in the team. Despite the transfer of Weems to CSKA Moscow, Romanov believes it was not a regrettable decision as they had other concerns with the player.
Goals for the Season
Romanov stated that it is difficult to predict the goals for "Zalgiris" for the season. Their participation in the expanded EuroLeague format meant they were exempted from home matches in the national championship, which required negotiations with the Lithuanian league. Romanov had to assure them that the team's participation in the EuroLeague would benefit the national championship and provide interesting matches for the fans.
Popularity and Support
The 15,000-seat "Zalgiris" arena regularly fills up with fans, demonstrating the Lithuanians' passion for basketball. Romanov believed that the popularity of the team was partly due to the acquisition of players like Lawson and Weems. He also mentioned the positive impact of young players training with experienced foreign stars, highlighting the development of their own talent.
Comparison to Russian Basketball
When asked about the lower attendance of basketball games in Russia compared to Lithuania, Romanov acknowledged the Russian government's support for the sport. He expressed envy for their involvement in sports development projects. However, he also recognized the increasing level of competition in Russia and emphasized the need for further growth.
Football Involvement and Scandals
As the owner of the Scottish football club "Hearts", Romanov was asked about the recent scandal in the Russian Premier League. He commented on his reluctance to deal with players like Denisov, stating that once a player's psychological state is compromised, it is unlikely to return to normal. Romanov also shared the story of "Rangers" relegation, attributing it to pressure within the club and a failure to achieve positive results.
Future Plans
Romanov discussed his aspirations for "Hearts" and the plans for a new stadium in Edinburgh. He emphasized the club's focus on their own academy and the development of young players. Despite the club's smaller budget, Romanov believed that the move to a larger stadium would increase attendance and generate more revenue through ticket sales, TV rights, and advertising.
Missed Opportunity
When asked about the failed acquisition of a Russian football club, Romanov explained that negotiations with the local authorities did not go as planned. He mentioned that the conditions for the deal were not met, and as a result, "Saturn" no longer exists. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between clubs and local government for successful development.