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BERNARD CHALLANDES: I WORK WITH VIGOR AND GREATLY ENJOY LIVING AMONG ARMENIANS
Friday 31 October 2014 16:42
Photo: Mediamax
Bernard Challandes
Bernard Challandes has been the head coach of the Armenian national
team for over half a year. Under the Swiss coach's management, Armenia
lost once (Denmark) and tied once (Serbia) in Euro 2016 qualifying.
Portugal vs. Armenia match will take place on November 14. Armenian
footballers will complete the year with this match.
Mediamax Sport talked to Challandes who recounted about his work,
dreams he has for the Armenian national and the journalist who had
interpreted his views in a wrong way and then apologized for that.
- Mr. Challandes, two weeks remain for the Armenia vs. Portugal game
in Euro 2016 qualifying. What kind of match is awaiting us?
- A great match awaits us. At the first match of the qualifying
Portugal played without Ronaldo and lost to Albania. This team plays
differently with and without Ronaldo. Of course, the Portuguese will
attempt to score a victory in their own country but this match will
be a challenge for us. Any result can be registered in this qualifying
group. There is no a team which plays better or is obviously stronger
than the rest.
I believe each team has a chance to win. It refers to us as well -
the Armenian team has played well against Denmark and Serbia and now
has a very good opportunity to show itself. Portugal is perhaps the
favorite of the match but we can win or tie them, play a good game
and create problems for the rival.
Bernard Challandes Photo: Mediamax
This match will be our last this year. Afterwards, we will analyze
everything and get ready for the second part of the qualification
match.
- Our national team has played with losses in the previous two
matches. Several key players were not playing because of injuries. Are
they already back? What hopes do you have for them?
-Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Yura Movsisyan, Gevorg Ghazaryan and Hrayr Mkoyan
will play in the upcoming match. They are critical and key players
in the national team. These players can bring much into this team
and along with the rest, ensure the national's good performance.
-Yura Movsisyan is already back in the field and was a substitute in
two matches. Is he in good shape?
-Movsisyan's presence in the team is highly important. He played for
a few minutes in the match against Rubin yesterday. He is gradually
getting into shape. Two weeks remain for the match against Portugal
and I hope he will be ready and will be able to play the entire match.
I always talk to Movsisyan and the coaches of his team. He himself
is also eager to play in the national team. I am glad to have a
footballer like Movsisyan in my team. We watch all players every week
and are well aware of what shape they are in. Without fail, we make
notes of who has played and for how minutes. In case of injuries,
our physiotherapist contacts the footballer or a relevant expert of
his team for clarifications.
- Mr. Challandes, you have been in Armenia for over half a year. What
have you done so far?
- I enjoy my work. I watch the national championship, work with
national teams of all ages, academy teams as well as new coaches.
Bernard Challandes Photo: Mediamax
I feel attached to the Armenian national with all my heart. I love my
work over the top, I always watch the championship. I have left for
Iran, Kazakhstan and Macedonia and have watched Armenian footballers
play.
-Recently, "Le Matin" Swiss daily presented an interview in which you
had compared the Armenian national to the 4th division of Switzerland.
- Such a thing has never happened. They got me wrong. This is how it
actually was. It happened so that back in April we were present at
Banants-Gandzasar Cup Match with two representatives of the French
national who were in Armenia then. The French did not want to watch
the match until the end saying it resembles the match of the 5th
league of France. After that, in an interview a Swiss journalist
asked me about the level of the Armenian championship. I remembered
and told that story. I also noted that the level of the 5th division
of France equals to the 3rd division of Switzerland. The journalist
did not get me right and had attributed it to the Armenian national
team. I work with the guys in my team and I love them very much. Am
I crazy to make such a comparison? They have played well in matches
against Serbia and Denmark and I have thanked them for it. We have
been close to victory and I simply could not express such an opinion
over a team that has played such matches.
After reading the interview, I promptly contacted the Swiss journalist
and the latter apologized for having got me wrong and changed the
interview. This journalist has also officially sent a letter of
apology to me and the Football Federation of Armenia.
- What chances does our team have in the European Championship in
France in 2016?
- I have not just signed an agreement with the Football Federation
of Armenia. I am here to struggle along with the team for a "ticket"
to that championship. Together we will make it. These players are
capable of overcoming the qualification match obstacles. The Armenian
national championship is not the best in the world - the results of
the Champions League and the Europa League prove it. But serious work
is being done and gradually, certain progress is observed.
I have been here for seven months. Over this time I have been studying
Armenian football. I watch the videos of past year matches. I work
with vigor and I enjoy living among Armenians.
- Do you like living and working in Armenia?
Bernard Challandes Photo: Mediamax
- I want to stay here longer and along with the Federation to have
my own contribution to the development of Armenian football. I was
pleasantly surprised to reveal Armenia for me and I adapted easier
than expected. There were very nice fans in the stadium rooting for
the team in matches against Serbia and Denmark. It's highly important
for us. They would be happier had we won the match, however, they
supported the national really well.
It's my cherished dream to have the Armenian team play in the
championship in France. It's the best team I have trained. Of course,
as a coach I have been at the Champions League and the Europa League,
have played against Real Madrid, have played in the Europa League with
the youth nationals but if I manage to go there with the Armenian
national team, it will be the greatest event in my life. We commit
every effort to fulfill this dream.
Gohar Nalbandyan and Hasmik Babayan talked to Bernard Challandes
http://sport.mediamax.am/en/news/interviews_sport/12123
Friday 31 October 2014 16:42
Photo: Mediamax
Bernard Challandes
Bernard Challandes has been the head coach of the Armenian national
team for over half a year. Under the Swiss coach's management, Armenia
lost once (Denmark) and tied once (Serbia) in Euro 2016 qualifying.
Portugal vs. Armenia match will take place on November 14. Armenian
footballers will complete the year with this match.
Mediamax Sport talked to Challandes who recounted about his work,
dreams he has for the Armenian national and the journalist who had
interpreted his views in a wrong way and then apologized for that.
- Mr. Challandes, two weeks remain for the Armenia vs. Portugal game
in Euro 2016 qualifying. What kind of match is awaiting us?
- A great match awaits us. At the first match of the qualifying
Portugal played without Ronaldo and lost to Albania. This team plays
differently with and without Ronaldo. Of course, the Portuguese will
attempt to score a victory in their own country but this match will
be a challenge for us. Any result can be registered in this qualifying
group. There is no a team which plays better or is obviously stronger
than the rest.
I believe each team has a chance to win. It refers to us as well -
the Armenian team has played well against Denmark and Serbia and now
has a very good opportunity to show itself. Portugal is perhaps the
favorite of the match but we can win or tie them, play a good game
and create problems for the rival.
Bernard Challandes Photo: Mediamax
This match will be our last this year. Afterwards, we will analyze
everything and get ready for the second part of the qualification
match.
- Our national team has played with losses in the previous two
matches. Several key players were not playing because of injuries. Are
they already back? What hopes do you have for them?
-Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Yura Movsisyan, Gevorg Ghazaryan and Hrayr Mkoyan
will play in the upcoming match. They are critical and key players
in the national team. These players can bring much into this team
and along with the rest, ensure the national's good performance.
-Yura Movsisyan is already back in the field and was a substitute in
two matches. Is he in good shape?
-Movsisyan's presence in the team is highly important. He played for
a few minutes in the match against Rubin yesterday. He is gradually
getting into shape. Two weeks remain for the match against Portugal
and I hope he will be ready and will be able to play the entire match.
I always talk to Movsisyan and the coaches of his team. He himself
is also eager to play in the national team. I am glad to have a
footballer like Movsisyan in my team. We watch all players every week
and are well aware of what shape they are in. Without fail, we make
notes of who has played and for how minutes. In case of injuries,
our physiotherapist contacts the footballer or a relevant expert of
his team for clarifications.
- Mr. Challandes, you have been in Armenia for over half a year. What
have you done so far?
- I enjoy my work. I watch the national championship, work with
national teams of all ages, academy teams as well as new coaches.
Bernard Challandes Photo: Mediamax
I feel attached to the Armenian national with all my heart. I love my
work over the top, I always watch the championship. I have left for
Iran, Kazakhstan and Macedonia and have watched Armenian footballers
play.
-Recently, "Le Matin" Swiss daily presented an interview in which you
had compared the Armenian national to the 4th division of Switzerland.
- Such a thing has never happened. They got me wrong. This is how it
actually was. It happened so that back in April we were present at
Banants-Gandzasar Cup Match with two representatives of the French
national who were in Armenia then. The French did not want to watch
the match until the end saying it resembles the match of the 5th
league of France. After that, in an interview a Swiss journalist
asked me about the level of the Armenian championship. I remembered
and told that story. I also noted that the level of the 5th division
of France equals to the 3rd division of Switzerland. The journalist
did not get me right and had attributed it to the Armenian national
team. I work with the guys in my team and I love them very much. Am
I crazy to make such a comparison? They have played well in matches
against Serbia and Denmark and I have thanked them for it. We have
been close to victory and I simply could not express such an opinion
over a team that has played such matches.
After reading the interview, I promptly contacted the Swiss journalist
and the latter apologized for having got me wrong and changed the
interview. This journalist has also officially sent a letter of
apology to me and the Football Federation of Armenia.
- What chances does our team have in the European Championship in
France in 2016?
- I have not just signed an agreement with the Football Federation
of Armenia. I am here to struggle along with the team for a "ticket"
to that championship. Together we will make it. These players are
capable of overcoming the qualification match obstacles. The Armenian
national championship is not the best in the world - the results of
the Champions League and the Europa League prove it. But serious work
is being done and gradually, certain progress is observed.
I have been here for seven months. Over this time I have been studying
Armenian football. I watch the videos of past year matches. I work
with vigor and I enjoy living among Armenians.
- Do you like living and working in Armenia?
Bernard Challandes Photo: Mediamax
- I want to stay here longer and along with the Federation to have
my own contribution to the development of Armenian football. I was
pleasantly surprised to reveal Armenia for me and I adapted easier
than expected. There were very nice fans in the stadium rooting for
the team in matches against Serbia and Denmark. It's highly important
for us. They would be happier had we won the match, however, they
supported the national really well.
It's my cherished dream to have the Armenian team play in the
championship in France. It's the best team I have trained. Of course,
as a coach I have been at the Champions League and the Europa League,
have played against Real Madrid, have played in the Europa League with
the youth nationals but if I manage to go there with the Armenian
national team, it will be the greatest event in my life. We commit
every effort to fulfill this dream.
Gohar Nalbandyan and Hasmik Babayan talked to Bernard Challandes
http://sport.mediamax.am/en/news/interviews_sport/12123