Alexander Samedov

Hockey is what goes straight after football. I love National Hockey League: always follow the current events and make sure I don’t miss anything. I watched every single match of the last world championship: I used any opportunity I had to rush home and switch on the TV. The final, when our team won the Canadians — now that felt like all the happiness one could ever wish for.

Before, I would say that the most extreme thing to ever happen to me was the marriage. But now I don’t think so anymore. True, it is a significant step, something that doesn’t simply change your life, but alters its course. However, there’s nothing extreme about it.

Football is the greatest invention of the humanity.

I’ve been losing in PlayStation games lately, and I feel bad about it. We play hockey with my mates, and they keep winning me. My team is the New York Rangers. When I was about ten or so, I saw them playing against the Vancouver in the final series that was broadcasted on the TV. I thought the Rangers were great so I’ve been supporting them for 15 years already.

My last fight you can’t even call a fight. We were playing against the Lokomotiv, and I had a bit of an argument with Dima Sychev. We didn’t really fight, just shoved each other around a little. Same evening I ran into him at that one place, and it was fine. We had already made peace straight after the game.

I don’t eat much. Some people eat a lot and there’s still nothing wrong with their weight. But if I start eating heavily, I’ll gain some extra kilos. So I have to restrict myself.

Last time I felt envy towards someone was with Roma Pavlyuchenko. But it was benign envy. We went out for a dinner, and he was telling me about England: how his life is going there and how things are with playing for Tottenham. I’m so glad that it’s working out for him. And it is really working out, despite whatever everyone else says.

A couple of years back I was invited to the Comedy Club (a popular Russian TV show — TN) — that was when I was still playing for the Lokomotiv. All the time that Pavel Volya was on the stage doing his bit, I was sitting there stressing, worried that he would find a way to make fun of us, footballers, too.

One thing I lack in Moscow is the freedom of driving. Apart from traffic jams, our city is a wonderful place. Although if I ever get a chance to switch to helicopters, I’ll stay on the ground — out of sheer fear. Rather drive slowly than fly fast.