Russia Cuts Maria Borodakova

At least she knows her time is up and have the new players take over.

2 time World Champion & middle blocker Maria Borodakova Borisenko has been cut from the Russian National Team just weeks before the upcoming CEV Women’s European Championship.

In an article released by sport-express.ru:

“I heard the decision of the coaching staff last night when I called Andrey Erkhov, the manager of the national team. He said that I would not be called for the next gathering. Today I called the head coach Yuri Marichev and asked him to explain the reasons for the decision.”

What did the coach say?

“The player of my status should not be placed in a square for substitutions. In the World Grand Prix I played, but rarely went out to the starting lineup. Unfortunately, the coach felt that at this stage the team needs other players. Perhaps my time in the national team has already passed. I work hard at every training session, try to do each exercise. I think that I am still dedicated to volleyball.”

When will you join Dynamo?

“I did not call the head coach of the club of Rishat Gilyazutdinov yet. I will do this in the near future. I think that he will give me some time to rest, because of the performances for the national team I did not have vacation. Then I will start preparing for the season in the club, which promises to be challenging.”

In a separate interview, Coach Yuri Marichev has nothing but praises for the 27 year old.

“Borodakova is an experienced and well deserved player who should not be sitting on the bench. Today, Anastasia Shlyakhovaya and Irina Zaryazhko established themselves in the roles of the two main middle blockers in the team, and they have justified the expectations related with the restructuring of the game and the team.”

Coach Yuri also released his roster for the women’s European Champs:

Setters – Anna Matienko, Ekaterina Pankova,
Middle blockers – Yulia Morozova, Irina Zaryazhko, Anastasia Shlyakhovaya, Natalia Dianskaya,
Receivers – Tatiana Kosheleva, Aleksandra Pasynkova, Victoria Chaplina, Natalia Malykh,
Opposites – Natalia Obmochaeva, Daria Isaeva,
Liberos – Svetlana Kryuchkova, Anna Malykh.

We wonder if he will asl Sokolova and Gamova to rejoin the team in the years to come. For now, it’s pretty obvious that Coach Yuri is very focused on his young players.

We wish Maria the best!

Any thoughts?

(image: FIVB)