Dynamo Moscow diagonal Maxim Sapozhkov spoke to Match TV about winning the international tournament in Dubai.

— How do you like the team’s performance at the first international tournament after several years?

- I think we did a great job. After the first game we stepped it up, got used to the ball. So it wasn't difficult for us to play at the same pace as in Russia.

— Did you feel any pressure in the first games?

- Perhaps we didn't have the opportunity to try out the game room. We had trained elsewhere before. There were some inconveniences from this, but they didn't stop us.

— How did the local fans treat you?

— They remember me from last season, because I came in 2024. Somewhere around the second game, they started shouting my name.

— Were there Russians in the stands?

— Our fans started to come to the last three games. It was noticeable that even in Dubai they support us. It is nice to hear our native language and speech.

— Has the level of European teams and players changed much during the suspension?

— I can say that some teams have changed in certain elements. Toulouse was stronger in defense. That is, they showed a master class in playing without the ball. We couldn’t calmly finish the first set to the floor, they tried to get any ball that was sent to their side.

— You were recognized as the best server of the tournament. Was that expected?

— I would like to receive the award for the best striker. This prize is also not bad, I am happy.

— How would you assess the chances of Russian volleyball returning to the international arena?

"I think we have every opportunity to take prize places. The main thing is to show persistence and the desire to win," Sapozhkov told Match TV.

Dynamo Moscow diagonal Maxim Sapozhkov spoke to Match TV about winning the international tournament in Dubai.

— How do you like the team’s performance at the first international tournament after several years?

- I think we did a great job. After the first game we stepped it up, got used to the ball. So it wasn't difficult for us to play at the same pace as in Russia.

— Did you feel any pressure in the first games?

- Perhaps we didn't have the opportunity to try out the game room. We had trained elsewhere before. There were some inconveniences from this, but they didn't stop us.

— How did the local fans treat you?

— They remember me from last season, because I came in 2024. Somewhere around the second game, they started shouting my name.

— Were there Russians in the stands?

— Our fans started to come to the last three games. It was noticeable that even in Dubai they support us. It is nice to hear our native language and speech.

— Has the level of European teams and players changed much during the suspension?

— I can say that some teams have changed in certain elements. Toulouse was stronger in defense. That is, they showed a master class in playing without the ball. We couldn’t calmly finish the first set to the floor, they tried to get any ball that was sent to their side.

— You were recognized as the best server of the tournament. Was that expected?

— I would like to receive the award for the best striker. This prize is also not bad, I am happy.

— How would you assess the chances of Russian volleyball returning to the international arena?

"I think we have every opportunity to take prize places. The main thing is to show persistence and the desire to win," Sapozhkov told Match TV.