Egor Rykov: I love football and basketball, but hockey is the life of the defender of the army Egor Rykov on the eve of the New Year series of matches against Yokerit, Motorist and Neftekhimika gave an interview for
Egor Rykov: I love football and basketball, but hockey is life
The defender of the Army Egor Rykov on the eve of the New Year series of matches against Yokerit, Avtomobilist and Neftekhimika gave an interview for a club program in which he spoke about the enthusiasm of football, the Christmas atmosphere of New York and the desire to win the Gagarin Cup.
– Egor, since our interviews will be released in the January issue of programs, let's start from the results of the year: how did it turn out for you?
– This year, probably, was not easy for everyone. It turns out that I spent the beginning of 2020 in America and met him there. In general, a lot of unusual and new happened.
– Such a big break without hockey for the first time in your life? How did you survive this period?
– Yes, this happened for the first time. It was, of course, not easy. But everyone was in the same conditions. I wanted to quickly return to the ice so that the games begin. And so, probably, like all athletes, I trained and waited. When the pandemic began, I returned to Russia. And all this time was here.
– In Russia, by the time of return, did you manage to get bored?
– I missed, of course, in my homeland. The house is a house.
– In the season there is not much free time. Tell me what you like to do when it appears?
– During the championship for some classes, except for games and training, there is little time. And so I love football, I went to games. Previously more often. And this year, in connection with all these events, he was only once at the Lokomotiv match in the Champions League.
– What football teams do you sympathize with?
– In Europe, I like Barcelona, Chelsea. My father and I were still at the Champions League final in Moscow, the Chelsea match – Manchester United. It was 2008, it turns out that I was 11 years old. Last year I went to Barcelona, was at the game of Barcelona – Lyon, I really liked it. In Rome, I got to the match “Roma” – “Juventus” – a very cool match. I would really like to get to the Bavaria match, but so far it did not work.
– Play hockey, love football. Who instilled in you such a passion for football?
– Hockey is life. Where did interest come from, I won’t even say. Many in the team are watching our football. I like. In fact, I like basketball. I really wanted to get to the final of the four Euroleague when CSKA was playing. It should be atmospheric.
– Do you follow the games of the Russian national team in football?
– At the World Cup was in several matches, but it was not possible to get to Russia. If possible, I would like to go to the matches of the European Championship.
– How do you like the atmosphere of the World Cup?
– Bomb! The national team played well, everything was organized cool. The whole world talked about this. Well done!
– What is the most unusual, what happened to you this year?
– Probably the most unusual was that he spent so much time at home. Usually you go on vacation to rest, then spend a couple of weeks at home. And here it turned out that it was at home for a very long time – unusual.
– This is probably the first big interview since returning to Russia. Tell me about overseas experience: how do you evaluate it?
– Now, probably, not the time to evaluate. There was a completely different life, everything is new, for me a new experience.
– What was the most difficult after moving?
– Probably not even a language, but a mentality. People there are completely different. The language barrier was too. If I knew English a little better, it would probably be easier.
– Did you pull English?
– In the locker room they understood me, could communicate with sets of phrases. Here in CSKA I can also talk with foreign guys, spread a couple of phrases. Yes, and they are probably used to, they understand us.
– Who helped to master North America?
– Igor Shesterkin and Vitaliy Kravtsov played the farm club at the Rangers pharmaceutical club. He talked with them, spent time. The guys helped. Artemy Panarin is a good cheerful guy, friendly. A little in the training camp communicated with him.
– How did the guys accept in CSKA? Who was familiar with?
– He was familiar with the guys, intersected with many. Accepted very well, a wonderful team.
– Did you set any goals before the season?
– Personal let's keep it with you. And the team goal, everyone knows, we have one – take the Gagarin Cup.
– Tell me, do you have any traditions related to the New Year?
– There are no special traditions. All according to the classics, I think like everyone else: we will gather with the family at the table at home in a prominent one.
– And what are the traditions in North America? How did you meet Christmas and New Year?
– They mainly celebrate Christmas. We even had 3 or 4 days off. And on the New Year – there was one, gathered with the guys from the team for a festive dinner. At Christmas I went to New York, met with our guys who play in America, for example, with Misha Maltsev. We agreed to spend a couple of days off in advance, went to basketball, talked, walked. I liked the festive atmosphere – it was atmospheric, beautiful, a lot of people.
– What would you wish our fans?
– The most important thing is that I would like to wish the fans so that in this difficult time they are healthy, and always support us.
– Favorite holiday?
– Probably the New Year.
– The most beautiful place you visited?
– I was very impressed by Rome. A lot of attractions. We can say that they are there at every step, you’ll turn it to the left and right, here, here-beautiful. And he got to football on a good. The city was sunk into the soul, you can say so.
– If not hockey, then …
– Best film, book, series?
“I can't say that I am a movieman.” I love simple films to watch, get distracted.