Mikhail Gershkovich comments on the opponents in World Championship

The chief coach of Russian national team Mikhail Gershkovich commented on the teams which Russia will play against in its group on the World Championship-2002.

• The draws could be worse, said Mikhail Gershkovich yesterday, - but at the same time we cannot say that Russia is in the week group. When it refers to the World Championship such statements can arouse only ironic smiles. The key thing now is to train hard and get good form. We know our opponents' names, we know that we are playing in Japan on June, 5, 9 and 14. It's high time to start collecting information.

• As far as I know you are best acquainted with the Belgian team?

• The Belgians are not grandees but this team has its traditions, it always participates in world championship finals. It's a well-organized team.

• What will you say about Japan?

• We don't know much of them yet. The country is undergoing a football sensation now, national championship level is increasing annually. There have appeared quite strong football players recently, which are very popular in Europe. Besides they are the host party of the tournament, that's why it will be more difficult to play against them. We hope the judges will be unbiased.

• And the most unpredictable team is the one from Tunis, aren't they?

• You're right. We'll get acquainted with the team closer. So far we can say only that football is progressing in the country, and progressing rapidly.

• It's a public opinion that Russia got a favorable schedule of matches in its group.

• Yes, on the whole. We are starting with Tunis, not with the host team, which, speaking objectively, is weaker. And the rest of the schedule is quite favorable to us.

• Do you know when Russian team is starting training directly for the final matches?

• We are planning that for May, 17. The first week we'll spend in Moscow, we are going to participate in four teams' tournament. By that time we'll decide on the players to go to Japan. By the way, this time each team's list will include 23 players against usual 22, 3 of them - goalkeepers.