Sergey Pirainen And Anton Dubrovin Sign With Russia’s Samotlor

Samotlor currently occupies the last spot on Russia’s Superleague standings. But the team is not yet ready to give up on its season, and went to transfer market to try and shake things up. First, Pavel Zakharov transferred out to Yenisey Krasnoyarsk. Then, the team announced in its official website the signing of experienced Anton Dubrovin and up-and-coming youth star Sergei Piranein.

6’4″ opposite hitter Anton Dubrovin is 33 years old and very experienced as a volleyball player, having played in most of Russian’s top clubs, including Dynamo Moscow and Dynamo Krasnodar, with which he spent his previous season. He is very confident that Samotlor can escape relagation:

The team is refreshed. I hope that everything will work out for us. You just have to believe it. I believe! The main thing is that when we train, everyone has a great desire to work and progress. It is a good atmosphere! Our last match, against Belogorye (a 3-2 loss), showed that we are on the right track. I do not know from the audience, but from my point of view, we looked like a competent team. Yes, there was not enough teamwork and chemistry, but in the process we will work it out. We know what we need to strive for. Our spirits are still high. Everything is in favor of Samotlor, because there is still time for us to get into peak form for the upcoming decisive matches. In each duel we will play to win.

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АНТОН ДУБРОВИН: «ВСЁ СКЛАДЫВАЕТСЯ В ПОЛЬЗУ «САМОТЛОРА» В матче с «Белогорьем» в составе «Югры-Самотлора» дебютировал опытный доигровщик Антон Дубровин. 33-летний волейболист ранее выступал за «Прикамье», «Тюмень», «Локомотив», «Кузбасс», московское «Динамо», красноярский «Енисей». А предыдущий сезон провёл в краснодарском «Динамо», которое из-за безденежья уступило своё место в суперлиге богатому питерскому «Зениту», созданному минувшим летом на деньги «Газпрома». Продолжение читайте на www.ugra-samotlor.ru #ЮграСамотлор

A post shared by ВК "Югра-Самотлор" (@vc_samotlor_official) on Dec 13, 2017 at 8:33am PST

Sergei Piranein, on the other hand, is a 21 year old 6’8″ tall opposite hitter that last played for Fakel, in the Russian League. He was instrumental in many of Russia’s youth teams’ title runs, including a gold medal in the 2015 Men’s U21 WCH and a silver medal in the 2017 FIVB Men’s U23 WCH. Here is what he had to say about his debut for his new team:

There was a chance to win. We played well in general. But I still need to train more with the team to establish chemistry. I only had 4 training sessions with the team before the game. I will be working to treat fans to good games. Also, I really like the new city, it is very small and cozy.

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СЕРГЕЙ ПИРАЙНЕН: «БЫЛ ШАНС ВЫИГРАТЬ» Диагональный "Югры-Самотлора" о первом матче в составе новой команды… продолжение на www.ugra-samotlor.ru #ЮграСамотлор #Белогорье #ЧемпионатРоссии #Волейбол #Суперлига

A post shared by ВК "Югра-Самотлор" (@vc_samotlor_official) on Dec 10, 2017 at 10:24am PST

We wish Samotlor the best in its quest against relegation, and good luck to Pirainen and Dubrovin in their new homes.