"In the qualifiers, we were one step away from Paris, from the dream. We defeated all the teams we had to defeat. And then on the last day, in the match against Bulgaria, we lost in a tie-break 13:15... That loss is still in my soul. We were leading 2:1 in sets and we couldn't take the last step. The worst thing that can happen in sports. I hated Bulgaria and Plamen Konstantinov for a few weeks. I'm kidding. I felt bad, but now I'm fine." This is shared by Belgian international Sam Deroo to the websitebusiness-gazeta.ru.And he continues:
"In Kazan, they plan to renew the team, so most likely I won't be able to stay at 'Zenit'. But I've already found a team for next season, I considered different options, so everything is fine. In general, everyone has known for a long time, but officially I can neither confirm nor deny it. Now I am a 'Zenit-Kazan' player and I only think about that. Maybe I'll end up at 'Lokomotiv' next year, who knows, but that doesn't matter now. In football, players play on loan for other teams, they play against the team they belong to - this is normal practice. I will give my best."

"The qualification process for Los Angeles will not be easy. We cannot be called favorites, the question is what form I will be in by then. But my dream remains. We have good youth, so we will believe that we will be able to show ourselves in our best light. It would be great to meet the Russian national team at the Olympics. In my opinion, sports and politics should not be mixed, this is unfair to Russian athletes, they have dedicated their whole lives to their favorite pastime, they also have their own dreams and ambitions. And the potential to win the Olympics! Without Russia, the Volleyball Olympics are no longer as interesting. So I will only welcome the return of the Russian national team and be happy for my friends."