Trento, 21 May 2018

Grebennikov: “Trento is in my destiny since 2010, I want to become a leader for this team”

Jenia Grebennikov, 28 years old

The first player interview of Trentino Volley for Jenia Grebennikov, new official libero today.

Welcome Jenia, why did you choose Trentino Volley?
"The Company was the first ever to make me a concrete offer, it really showed that it wanted me and its determination and attention towards me impressed me a lot. It was impossible for me to refuse; I put very little, just a couple of hours, to decide to accept this proposal and I'm glad I did. I’m entering in a serious, professional company that knows how to win. I will play in a very competitive team, further improved by the arrival of Lisinac, a very strong player who expresses a lot of energy. And then there is a curious anecdote to tell".
What’s that?
"I always thought Trento was in my destiny. Maybe a few people remember it, but the first time ever that I set foot in Italy I did it in this city: it was the end of June 2010 and with the National B French shirt I faced the PalaTrento Representative Under 23 of the Serie A Volleyball League that was training right in Trentino. In that group with me there were players like Quesque, Le Roux and Tillie and the coach was Serniotti. When I entered the Sports Hall I was impressed by the beauty of the structure and, as a result, I immediately understood the professionalism and strength of this Club that I noticed in every small detail. I remember well that on that occasion I told myself: I want to play here one day. Eight years later it went like this!".
Later you dealt with the Trentino environment also as an opponent with the Lube jersey: what struck you about this environment?
"I have played many times at PalaTrento and I have always liked how the fans are able to support the team every time, there is a beautiful atmosphere in every game and then the Club is very attentive to all the details, which I particularly appreciate. I also found this quality in Germany when I played in Friedrichshafen. I can finally say to the supporters of Trentino Volley: now I'm on your side, you can finally cheer for me!".
Not everyone knows that you initially played as a smasher...
“I’ll be honest, in the past the I didn’t like the role of libero because I love spiking but over time my father made me realize that I could do more street playing only in the second line because my height would have prevented reaching high levels as a spiker. I trusted him and I thank him because it went like this. I've been playing as libero for so many years and now I like it but between making a hands-out in attack and defending a slam dunk without a block I always prefer the first".
What are your goals for this experience in Trento?
"As a team I want Trentino Volley to always reach its full potential, but personally I feel that I can improve even further and become stronger from a mental point of view as well. I want to mature again and become a leader of this team. I think I'm in the right place to do it because I will work with Angelo Lorenzetti, a coach of whom everyone has spoken to me well starting from those who already worked with him, like Ngapeth or Casadei"
Beyond volleyball, who is Jenia Grebennikov out of the field?
"It might seem weird, but I'm exactly the opposite of what I am during the matches. I am very calm and slow in making decisions, while in the gym it is difficult for me to sit still. I am passionate about ice hockey, a sport I have practiced up to 15 years before choosing volleyball; I know that in the region there is a great tradition for this discipline, I would like to see some matches ...".

Trentino Volley Srl
Press Office