The head coach of “Minsk” about the mood for the tournament in indorhockey for the prizes “Evenings”: the task is one – to win

The international tournament in indorhockey for the prizes of the newspaper “Evening Minsk” will be held at the velodrome “Minsk-Arena” from 13 to 15 November. How the men’s team “Minsk” is set for competitions, learned the correspondent of the Agency “Minsk-Novosti”.

Right course

- In 2025, for the second time in a row, we managed to win gold medals of the competition, said head coach Sergey Drozdov. The way to them was not easy, but the squad coped. Every victory for an athlete is important: it adds confidence and sets the positive. We had a great regular championship of Belarus in indorhockey without losing a single meeting. In addition, we visited two traditional tournaments in Russia, where we also gained important experience. However, the final part did not go as planned. Then we fought with the Brest "Builder". One game was won, the second lost, and in a series of bullies - and this is the lottery - lost.

According to Drozdov, the rules of the championship should be revised. They say, during the regular season you can not really rest, and then in the final to work well and become a champion. He is sure: we need to motivate the clubs in each round to score the maximum number of points, to win against everyone. This affects the entertainment of indoor hockey and attracts spectators to the stands, and children to sports schools.

Fight to the last

In the warm season, representatives of this sport play in open areas (field hockey). The season for the capital team turned out to be quite successful - the club made its way to the playoffs without problems. The rival in the semifinal was Gomel. After the victory on the home court, the squad went to visit the opponent.

- The opponent offered a worthy resistance and won the case. My wards didn't have the mood. After all, even the match against a note outsider must be approached fully armed, otherwise the result can be very upset. The third game in Minsk was held confidently. The final battle against the Builder was dramatic. The first two games were left for the opponent, but we managed to equalize the score in the series – 2: 2. In the decisive match Brest team led, but we restored parity. Again, everything was decided in a series of bullies. And again, we gave in. But I liked the character of the team: they did not give up, but fought to the last, the head coach said.

Moreover, in the two subsequent republican tournaments, Minsk took revenge. First they celebrated the victory in the Belarusian Cup, and then in the Super Cup. The game scenarios were different, but the results were positive. By the way, the team won the Cup for the tenth time.

Major developments

S. Drozdov emphasized that the victories were facilitated by the appearance of newcomers in Minsk. The squad is more balanced with just 24 players. Each has its own way of playing, and it is convenient for the coaching staff to vary tactical schemes to confuse the opponent.

One of the club’s acquisitions is Alexei Trofimchuk. For a while he played for the Builder, then went to Minsk, then again went to Brest. Now an experienced defender with a cool throw with a penalty corner and an excellent vision of the game in the ranks of the capital squad.

From the Brest team moved another defender - David Boretsky. The guy likes to connect to attacks and often throws himself. There were also young people – Ivan Bulva and Mikhail Kononovich. They may be 17 and 18, respectively, but the head coach sees a good prospect. He says the same thing about 18-year-old Makar Myznikov, a pupil of the Minsk Club. Ivan Lutsevich returned to the team. The last six years he played for the Dynamo-Kazan club, with which he won six championship titles.

There were losses, too. Several players went to other clubs and Vladislav Lazuk was called up for military service. After dismissal in the reserve, the guy is again waiting in the capital squad.

Tone for the whole season

- Preparation for the indoor hockey season began on November 2. We will hold a week-long gathering in Grodno, where we recently opened a hall that suits us in all parameters and conditions. On November 9, we return to the usual site - the Minsk-Arena velodrome, we will get used to the surface. The guys have already missed the game and are eager to fight - there will be a tournament for the prizes of the newspaper "Evening Minsk". Regardless of the competition, we have only one task – to win. They will come to the capital for the same purpose, but we will try to play a good game and win. After all, this tournament sets the tone for the whole season in indorhockey, the head coach smiled.

In December, the national championship will begin, the guys will also play in Vyborg and Elektrostal. At each of these starts, Minsk wants to win. Moreover, in 2026 came good news from the European Field Hockey Federation. Belarusian clubs were allowed to European competitions in field hockey and indoor hockey. Drozdov’s wards will have additional motivation, because matches in the international arena are very important.

- This experience is incomparable, said the head coach. Plus, promising guys are noticed by scouts of foreign clubs and invited to their place.

For reference

Entrance to the International Indorhockey Tournament for the prizes of the newspaper “Evening Minsk” for fans is free.

Photo by Sergei Lukashov, Irina Malinovskaya and Sergey Mitsevich