Pleasant Meeting Before New Season

On July 17 Lokomotiv held an open training at the stadium in Cherkizovo, followed by a meeting with fans.

Supporters started gathering at the stands of the club’s reserve pitch long before the beginning. When the warm-up began, there were few, if any, vacant seats left. After a short conversation at the center spot the goalkeepers started training under the supervision of Vladislav Tikhonov, while the outfield players started jogging. At that point the audience livened up showing a genuine interest for the newcomers. Even when the players practiced at the far touchline, some spectators tried to take pictures of Ndinga, Kochenkov and Kolomeytsev.

Then came the passing square exercise. Here, Oleg Pashinin shows unparalleled performance - the fans are unanimous about it. The coach whose playing career is over was as good as any of the young fellows.

Time for flank crosses. Keepers Guillerme and Lantratov took their place at the right goal. Marinato saved every ball that was going his way and demonstrated perfect positioning skill. After one of the series of successful moves Vitaliy Denisov said, mocking annoyance: “Gilya, please, have a heart!”

Lantratov was up to the mark, too. When Ilya saved Corluka’s shot in an upper 90, the stands broke into ovation. Despite the keepers’ masterful performance, a few goal have been scored. Skuletic netted some cute headers and volleys.
Around 7 o’clock the train whistle was blown. Everything was ready for the meeting!

Not all players were able to take part. But even the absentees - the members of the Russian U-19 team, in particular – had their share of applause.

Then it was time to honour Lokomotiv legend Vladimir Ryakhovskiy who celebrated his 68th birthday on July 17.
Vladimir Tikhonovich, in his turn, addressed the meeting with a short speech. He said: “I wish success to Lokomotiv’s coaches in this coming season. May the footballers show their excellence, may the luck be with you. And I do hope, fans will continue supporting our team.”  

Next was the prize-giving: the supporters who had attended all of Lokomotiv’s matches in the past season received presents. Then came time for beauty.. The screen went bright showing the video about Yelizaveta Belyaeva. The girl will represent the club in Miss RFPL-2015 contest in St. Petersburg. By the way, preliminary voting results indicate that Liza’s chances of winning are quite high. The voting is hosted by http://www.missrfpl.org You may want to cast your vote, too, and tell your friends they could support Liza.

Liza handed prizes to Marinato Guilherme (best player voted by the fans), Alexey Miranchuk (best player for April and May) and Vedran Corluka (season's MVP).

People had the opportunity to ask their questions.

The head coach Igor Cherevchenko answered many of them. In his turn, he encouraged the club’s fans to come to the stadium instead of watching broadcasts. Igor Gennadyevich drew attention to the fact that some home games showed poor attendance last season. “We have to keep together, and then we can move mountains”, he said. The motto was cheered by all those present and, we hope, came across to other fans of Lokomotiv.

There were many wishes of successful season and many warm words for the players. A devoted female supporter virtually admonished the footballers to salvage points – otherwise, she said, they would come to them in their dreams for the rest of their lives.

One of the questions concerned Dmitriy Loskov’s farewell match. Not long ago the celebrated Lokomotiv’s footballerannounced his retirement from football. In June the club came forward with a proposal to arrange a farewell game at Lokomotiv’s pitch. The answer from Dmitriy is pending.

Besides, his name is to appear at the Walk of Fame at Lokomotiv’s stadium. The club would like to hold the opening ceremony for the fans on the occasion, with Dmitriy’s participation.      

…There was room for both serious talk and friendly smiles. The meeting closed with the fans and the Railroaders’ family photo, the players signed many autographs. On Sunday our team will play the season-opening match against Mordovia.