06/08/2015 16:06
Mihails and Aleksandrs Samoilovs: ‘One day we hope to play together’
2015 CEV U18 Beach Volleyball European Championship
Riga, Latvia, August 6, 2015. Last Sunday Aleksandrs Samoilovs and Janis Smedins conquered the gold medal at the 2015 CEV Beach Volleyball European Championship in Klagenfurt, after beating the Italians Ranghieri/Carambula in straight sets. Right now Aleksandrs’ younger brother Mihails is pursuing the same goal at the U18 Beach Volleyball European Championship in his home country Latvia. ‘It’s our dream to play together someday’, says the Latvian youngster.
Anyone paying close attention to the opening match of Mihails Samoilovs (17 years old) and his teammate Aleksandrs Nasonovs, would have noticed that their tactic shows similarities to the way Aleksandrs Samoilovs (30 years old) and Janis Smedins play. No coincidence, since both teams are being coached by the same man: father Genādijs Samoilovs.
After the easy win from Mihails Samoilovs and Aleksandrs Nasonovs over Croatia (21-13, 21-9), the proud ‘Lion King’ came over to congratulate his younger brother. Aleksandrs Samoilovs tells how important the youth championships were for him: ‘I remember I was playing the U20 European Championships in Salzburg’, he says. ‘I was so nervous back then. The youth and junior championships were essential tournaments for me to gain experience. I think that it’s good that talents play as many championships as possible. And the younger they start with it, the better.’
Just like his brother Aleksandrs, Mihails Samoilovs is very ambitious. Last Sunday the Latvian youngster wasn’t even watching the final of his big brother in Klagenfurt, because he didn’t want to interrupt his own training schedule. ‘But we did check the score in between exercises’, Mihails says.
What is his ultimate goal in Beach Volleyball? ‘Playing at the Olympic Games of course. But first I want to book results at the youth championships. After this tournament in Riga we hope to play at the U20 European Championships in Cyprus as well.’
When asked if the brothers are planning to form a team in the future, their eyes start to twinkle. ‘Yes, we are really hoping to do this someday’, says Aleksandrs. ‘This is a long-cherished family dream. Mihails still needs at least four years to learn and improve, but maybe we can start after the Olympic Games in Tokyo. It would be great to play together someday.’
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