Where They Don't Have Pickup Football
Serguei Gotsmanov, a popular Byelorussian player of the Eighties, is now coaching kids in a tiny American town. But he isn't complaining.
The reason for his arrival in Minsk is a sad one: his father's funeral. But life continues and, despite his grief, the former midfielder of the 1982 Soviet champions and the USSR National Team just a few days later was out on the pitch, playing a friendly for the Dinamo Minsk veterans' team. He came out in the familiar white and blue, together with players like Ivan Zhekyu, Yuri Pudyshev, Viktor Sokol, Yuri Kurnenin, Anatoly Bogovik, and other famous names of the resent past. And once again, as if all this time hasn't passed, he was among the most active, the most valiant, the most selfless players. But this is nothing unsual. Back in the Eighties this quintessential workhorse of the football pitch was named Belarus' top footballer four times, and nobody has yet come close to matching this feat. And even now, at 41, he isn't about to become a senior citizen. Actually, Serguei has quit professional football just recently, after retiring from an overseas club, the Minnesota Thunder.
"No I Wasn't A Famous Hooligan"
Serguei, I know that you went to the last match of this year's Byelorussian Championship. Your native Dinamo played the newly-crowned champions, Slavia. What are your impressions?
Well, considering that Slavia had already clinched the title and had nothing to play for, while Dinamo sorely needed a victory to keep the silver medals, I must admit that Dinamo's effort was quite feeble. I can forgive them the lack of skill or experience, when I see them trying, striving, wanting to win. But I didn't see any will from them in that game.
What can you say about the overall level of Byelorussian footballers?
Of course, it's improved over the last several years, but not as much as I would like. The Byelarussian Championship is not the amateur tournament it was in the Soviet days, but it's a long way away from Western European leagues.
Was the Champions' League match between Spartak and Real more interesting?
Of course!
I tried to call you that night and was told that you were watching the match at [ex-Dinamo teammate] Viktor Sokol's place.
The TV in our apartment doesn't pick up the Russian NTV channel. Besides, it was a great excuse to hang out with an old friend.
Did you first become friends while playing together for Dinamo Brest [in the USSR third division]?
Yes, we first met in Brest, then continued our friendship in Minsk. We are very close to each other in spirit, in our outlook on life, in character.
It's quite noticeable. Both of you are very calm, laid back…
I wouldn't call myself too laid back.
I was told once that in your youth in the vocational school you were a famous hooligan.
No, by no means was I famous. Besides, I had no time for mischief. First place in my life, as well as second place, was given entirely to football, and it took all of my free time.
But what about the saying: where there is smoke, there is fire?
Let me say this: I was a very active boy.
So, what kind of trade did you acquire in the vocational school?
Electrical equipment repairman of the third degree. Shavers, vacuum cleaners, washers…
Can you still fix some of these things?
Probably not. I forgot everything. Although, once in America our vacuum cleaner broke, and my wife wanted to get rid of it. I decided to remember the old days. Took it apart, tinkered with the insides, and fixed it! It was very stimulating.
At The Helm Of a Tsunami
Did you build your own house in America or buy one?
We bought one on a finance plan. My wife did all the choosing, I was just there as an advisor. It's a good two-story house, but without any frills: no swimming pool, for example. It's got a two-car garage, though. We put my wife's and my eldest son's cars in there. I am not among the elite: my car stands out on the driveway.
Why don't you have a car here, in Minsk?
I sold it when I was leaving and don't need it now. You see, I don't visit here more often than once a year. I find it rather pleasing to walk the streets instead.
I understand, but still, it's not expected from a legendary figure like yourself to use public transportation!
Well, maybe I was legendary once, but now I came back from the skies and live a normal earthly life.
You stayed loyal to football, and now work as a kids' coach in Woodbury, Minnesota.
Yes, it's offseason there now. In the summer there are always many kids who want to play football, so there are plenty of teams and plenty of coaches are needed. In the winter the demand is smaller, so there isn't much work.
Who pays you for this work, and how much time does it consume?
Several hours a week. As for the money: all the funds are provided for the club by the parents, and the club pays me. It's enough for a modest living.
So, how did your boys do this season? By the way, what is the team's name? I know that Americans adore pretentious ones.
That's right. We are called the Tsunami. My younger son trains with them. We won the state U14 championships, were invited to two tournaments, one in Chicago and one in Indianapolis, but both times didn't achieve much.
Are your coaching credentials adequate for this level?
For this level - of course! Unfortunately, my language isn't all that adequate. I feel that I can't pass on to the kids everything I want.
"The New World Will Show Itself"
Woodbury is a small city?
It's a big village.
So, everyone must know you and say hello on the street.
No, only my friends.
What do you mean? Are they so disinterested in football that they can't recognize a former star of the Minnesota Thunder?
Nothing surprising here. For the majority it's a new sport, only the youngsters are slowly being drawn to it. Other sports are more popular, such as baseball, American football, basketball and hockey. When I ask some of the kids I coach who is their sporting hero, they usually answer Michael Jordan or Wayne Gretzky. "What about Cruyff? Maradona?", I ask. They say they've never heard of them.
America hasn't produced stars of such magnitude yet.
They need a lot of time.
Although the American team did manage to take part in the last two World Cups and at times looked well.
Their clubs aren't that weak. They are well equipped with legionaires from different countries. Also, many National Team members play in Europe. The game is rising in the States. Give them some time, and they will show themselves.
How are your sons developing?
They both train regularly and play quite well for their respective age groups. The eldest is finishing school next year and has already received invitations from different colleges. The younger also has some talent, but both need to work a lot. It's too bad that there it's impossible for a kid to kick the ball around with his friends out in the empty lot somewhere, like I did when I was their age.
You mean, there are no empty lots?
No, I mean there is nobody to play with. Other kids have other interests.
Last year [in 1999] you finished your career with the Minnesota Thunder. Are you tempted to go back on the pitch? Or do you feel that you've given football all your emotional and physical strengths?
Something like this. Sometimes I go to their practices, look at how the youngsters run around and think to myself that I couldn't go like this anymore. But it could be just a mental barrier, and if I were told to run, I'd run like the wind.
"I Owned Kiev"
You were named the top footballer in Belarus four times. Can you tell me what was so special about you that stood out among the rest? What kind of trophy were you given?
I just played how I could. I tried and worked hard. As for the trophies, in those days we didn't get any: it was just a title.
When was your best year as a player?
Probably, 1981 or 1983.
Why not 1982? Dinamo Minsk were champions that year!
It was the best year for the club, but not for me personally.
But these two vectors should be mutually dependent.
I simply was a part of a great team in 1982.
Can you tell me honestly about those two last controversial games in 1982? You beat Dinamo Moscow 7:0 and Spartak 4:3. Some say that the Muscovites threw those games in order to spite Dynamo Kiev, your main competitors for the title.
No, they didn't throw those matches. But they didn't play with a lot of motivation either. It is obvious that losing with such an embarrassing score as Dinamo Moscow did is inexcusable for a team of such level.
Well, there was no love lost between you, the Minsk boys, and Kiev, either. Most of your matches were very heated. But [ex-Dynamo Kiev player] Vadim Yevtushenko had once told me that, if need be, Kiev could take you easily.
Oh, no! We routinely took a point or two from the Ukrainians, and sometimes even won at their house. I personally considered Dynamo Kiev "my" team. Out of my 31 USSR Premiership goals, 6 were scored against Kiev.
Do you, by chance, remember one of those: a goal of amazing beauty from a long range, when the keeper didn't even have a chance to dive?
Of course. I think it was against [ex-Dynamo Kiev and USSR national keeper Viktor] Chanov. It was a shot of unreal force, off the left foot, from about 30 meters away. I still can't remember how I mustered the guts to shoot from out there, but it turned out to be the right decision. I scored a couple in that match, but, if I remember correctly, it ended up a draw.
Are there any other goals that you particularly remember?
Of course, that would be the two goals I scored for the USSR National Team. One of them was against England at Wembley: it's impossible not to be proud. We beat them 2:0 then. The other one was against Denmark. We lost that game 2:4. Actually, I was never a prolific goalscorer. My role was different.
What was it, then?
My forte was my work ethic and stamina.
When you came back from Europe in the early Nineties, you saw that Belarus for the first time in its history was holding an independent professional championship. You played with Dinamo and then with Dinamo-93…
It was tough for a crowd favorite of the past to be booed and whistled by opposing fans somewhere in Brest or Mogilev. That's why my second stint in Belarus was short.
"I Envied Fyodr Cherenkov"
Back in 1984, when you played for the USSR Olympic Team, you easily passed through the qualification stage. But, for obvious reasons, didn't get to play in Los Angeles. Were you devastated by this?
Of course, everyone wanted to go to the Games. But we didn't punch walls or anything.
Eduard Malofeyev, who coached that team, says that you'd win the gold medal in America.
It's hard to look back now. Of course, we would have a shot. In those times the most powerful Olympic sides were from the socialist countries.
You played under Malofeyev in several teams. What kind of role did he play in the development of Gotsmanov the player and Gotsmanov the man?
I consider [Eduard] Vasilievich my first teacher. It was thanks to him that I was taken by Dinamo and the national team. He made me into a good player. He is an exceptionally descent person, but at the same time very fiery and outspoken. He could pass his enthusiasm to the players and they were ready to go to war for him. Malofeyev was a man of principles. He had a list of his own commandments which every player had hanging on his wall. He knew endless poems, sayings and stories and never missed a chance to quote one of them at the right time.
Are you aware that he is currently coaching the Belarus National Team?
Yes, of course. I also know that the boys have already won 2 out of their first 3 qualifying matches.
Do you think that he will be successful in creating a real contender?
I want to believe. But a berth in the World Cup finals is by no means a certainty for the Byelorussian squad. They have, however, achieved some positive results and it is in the nature of every player to look ahead.
Is there a player from your contemporaries that you consider a real star?
Yes, I really liked [ex-Spartak Moscow midfielder] Fyodor Cherenkov. I could even say I envied him. It was hard to find skill like his anywhere else. The things he could do with a ball… Unbelievable.
"I Read Sport-Express In Minnesota"
You were among the few Minsk players to be invited into the USSR squad by [Dynamo Kiev's] Valery Lobanovsky, who took Malofeyev's spot as the head coach. Why did he choose you?
I don't think it was because he liked me as a person. I probably was a good fit for his system, being a mobile, workhorse-type midfielder with a good feel for the teammates. I probably reminded him his favorite Dynamo Kiev players, whom he stocked the team with.
Lobanovsky is directly linked to your greatest international success, the silver medal in the 1988 European Championships in Germany. In the final your Dinamo teammate Aleynikov was marking Van Basten, but couldn't prevent him from scoring an amazing goal against Dasayev.
Yes, that one was an impossible shot. They basically killed us with that goal.
But you almost came back from dead. Later in the match one Serguei Gotsmanov earned a penalty kick, but Igor Belanov couldn't beat the keeper. Do you think that the 2:0 final was a fair result?
We accomplished our goal - reaching the final, and did it convincingly. I think we simply fell a bit complacent. And the "Oranges" were furious and wanted to avenge their 0:1 loss to us in the group stage.
Did you enjoy watching Euro2000 matches?
I only saw a couple of games. And even those were on videotape.
What kind of impression do you have of modern European football?
It's mostly as it was. But, obviously, the level of the players is much higher now. I am very impressed with how they can work the ball in tight spaces. The forwards are also extremely good, especially the French.
Why did Americans completely ignore this football feast?
I wouldn't say that. One had an opportunity to see as many matches as he could. After paying for a special cable channel, of course. Actually, with enough will, you can get almost anything in America. I, for example, sometimes even get my hands on an issue of Sport-Express. There is a small Russian store, where among other things (such as our native, even though locally-produced things, like medicines, books and candies) they have a newsstand. It's a great newspaper! Of course, in America I get it a week late, but being this far away it's still fresh news for me.
