Konstantin Stepanov. Burn, burn, its star! (№1 (19) from March, 25th, 2009)

This year Konstantin Stepanova's star to the present was lighted in a sky of the international pool. Judge for yourself: he successfully participated practically in all main competitions, among which European championships and the world, «World Cup of Pool» and the Cup Moscow horses. Besides, throughout long time of Kostja headed a rating of the strongest sportsmen of Europe. About the impressions following the results of a season he has shared with our magazine.

How you regard the performance in 2007?

– It is possible to consider hardly last year as past repetition. On the contrary, unequivocally it is necessary to name it one of most, if not the most successful for all my career. Sooner or later the quantity should pass in quality, it is natural process. I have won back many Eurorounds at last to "shoot".

– And for a long time to win first place in the all-European rating …

– When it has occurred, sensations were unusual because before Russians of such results did not show. All happens absolutely unexpectedly, I and did not suspect that as a result of a camp the first.

– When you have invited to participate in «Mosconi Cup» how you have concerned it?

– Still two years ago I considered the Cup Moscow horses as the dream, as something большее, than simply billiards. By the way, and it has appeared actually because emotions from this event really surpass all what to me ever could be tested in the tournament practice. And here excellent year has stood out, all has successfully developed... If it is fair, I up to the end did not believe that I will be the participant of the Cup mo - скони, – even when it became definitively clear that me have confirmed in structure.

– Your impressions from «Mosconi Cup»? Than this competition essentially differs from all the others? Whether fairly it name «tournament from tournaments»?

– Actually differences enormous. Absolutely other emotions, absolutely other relation to process. Here the command spirit because you play command game is very important. Plus to all is the highest level of similar competitions. Command tournament in the European championships even close is not necessary with the Cup Moscow horses on heat. There you perceive all on - another, this simply next sports competition; here жецелая history, and you play for idea. So a cup Moscow horses name «tournament from tournaments» quite обоснованно.

– The command европы lost to Americans many years successively. What, at your sight, has helped to make break this year?

– First of all, fantastic relations in a command. And it thus that we were absolutely different. In my opinion, our command in general has turned out the most unusual for all history of the Cup Moscow horses. For example, Toni драго was not entered at all in any frameworks. And ральф the Bough which has got to absolutely unusual conditions for it, extraordinary seriously concerned tournament and madly wished it to win. All felt in it confidence, therefore ральф became our trump from the very beginning. Certainly, we had a concrete installation, заряженность on a victory, but at the same time without superfluous "loading".

– With whom from partners on command it was most easier to find common language?

– In the game plan – with нильсом Fajenom. With драго and Pichem of pair game has not turned out. And common language in a command has been found at once, and no problems at anybody arose. All of us spent time together: since the very first day trained, whether go - is all command, in the evenings talked on any abstract themes. In a word, atmosphere was good. And we were quickly enough played. From all who has got to a national team, I only with дэрилом was not familiar to Pichem, we not especially communicated before. But as soon as players have gathered, for couple of days before start, it became clear to me that structure at us ideal.

– How you estimate the chances to participate in following tournament «Mosconi Cup»?

– Twenty seven whole and three tenth percent – I have precisely counted up (smiles). And in general it is very heavy. The best players participate in tournament following the results of a year. Really best. Therefore, if I manage to win back well the following season and to get to their number, I again will act on «mosko -».

– We will talk about the World championship. Who was for you there the most difficult contender?

– It is the most logical to answer – Boyes. But I, probably, nevertheless will name Efrena.

– What your impressions of a victory over it?

– I can not tell that I felt a self-trust. On the contrary – was on nervous trembling even long before game. But just nervousness was gone in the beginning of a match. Besides and Efren was mistaken. After the first such errors I have understood that at flight game is not got on and it is necessary to press it. Certainly, to overcome Efrena it it is healthy. But at the same time I understand that it has already reached rather respectable age. An another matter if I have won on peak of its form, year эдак eighty fifth. But me of togas - yes there were few years and I simply could not make it.

– And Boyes? As it has turned out that you have not managed to beat it – like the contender not from favourites …

– Actually it is original paradox, but often enough happens that not strongest, in the general opinion, the player becomes the main barrier. On Filipinos I was adjusted, as on last fight. In a case with Boyes there was no speech giving all the best on all hundred. It was necessary to play simply well. But here I have started to be nervous already: operated neuve - ренно and has made a number of misses, last of which, on a simple three, became a signal to capitulation. And Charles played almost ideally. Besides it used "software-break" that has broken me definitively. I simply psychologically am not able to play against the person with such robbery.

– What your program-minimum on the future World championship?

– The minimum is a ninth place. Certain stability is necessary – and I already finished the ninth twice. Therefore it is impossible to lower simply more low.

– And still any plans are?

– In the future season I am going to fix the success. Besides, I wish to win a victory on the international tournament because those at me while are not present. The fifth and second places on Euroround are very good indicators, but it not victories. Still I wish to reduce number unsuccessful round - ниров, to achieve stability. Though, of course, to limit the life a pine forest - тами a billiard table too I will not be. From time to time other emotions, any discharge are necessary to me also. So I will try and to have a rest on a measure a cart - можности.

– Thanks you and good luck in the future!

Julia Petrov