Warm support for waterpolo in Malta – Markoch

Sergey Markoch’s friendliness and smiling disposition are characteristics of the man.

Many who remember him since he had a one-year coaching stint in Malta in 1993 can vouch for this. He then led Neptunes to a championship title even if he took over the team at a late stage in the season. That success as a coach added to his long list of triumphs as mentor of other Russian teams under his charge. These victories are now a long 10-year period after an impressive playing career which lasted 28 years.

The man is much respected in waterpolo circles, as was another Russian, Mikhael Ryzak, a very prominent expert of the game.

He was coach of Valletta in 1984 and was again with the City team when Markoch was in Malta in 1993.

Markoch’s warmth was very much evident as he spoke to me about waterpolo and his experiences.

As a lifelong connoisseur of waterpolo, he thinks very highly of the game as a sport.

“For me, waterpolo is the most exciting team sport with a ball,” he said.

“No discipline surpasses it, since fortunes shift continuously and when the teams are on a par, excitement knows no end.”

Although he has vast experience in coaching, Markoch, 47, did not play down the fact that in Malta his role of guiding one of the leading teams presents a challenge.

“It’s always a good test of coaching skills even in Malta, with the pedagogical element an important part of this process. Psychology comes into it as well. Coaching Neptunes is no exception,” the Italian-speaking Markoch stressed.

No doubt, the man is a professional in his job and very assiduous. He devises his players’ training sessions very meticulously. He spends much of his time after training talking and giving advice to the players.

His attention is also very much focused on his wife, a top Russian coach in synchronised swimming, and three sons, two of whom play waterpolo, while he also keeps abreast with other sport such as football, basketball and tennis, which he follows avidly.

Referring to the standard of waterpolo in Malta, Markoch says that various elements contribute to an improvement in levels.

“When you have foreigners of world level playing in Malta the standard of local players is bound to improve. It seems that year after year there is a better crop of core players in Malta,” he said.

“The foremost example I can quote is that of Steve Camilleri who plays in a top European league and is a prominent goal-scorer, having topped his team’s list two years in succession, besides finishing fifth in last season’s Italian overall rankings. This is no mean feat.

“The key to improvement is playing against stronger opposition since this opens avenues for more learning. Facing weaker opponents will never help to make teams better. The Maltese teams should set their sights on higher levels.”

The Russian coach said that the teams in Malta are working on the right lines.

“There are some promising players, with a good work ethic and always disposed to acquire new skills. It is a matter of doing their very best and hope for success.

“The support the teams have here is great and I could not help comparing this following in Malta, which is warm, colourful and passionate, with that in my country. Suffice to say that recent top matches in Russia attracted meagre attendances of between 100 and 200 people,” Markoch noted.

“Moreover, the clubs’ set-ups here are a good basis to promote the game. Even the youngsters are an integral part of this ‘family’ in Malta and it would be a good thing for the young players to become more aware of their favourite team’s history and successes. They will come to love the sport and their club better.”

Markoch Factfile

1988, 1992: Olympic bronze medal.

1986, 1994: World Championship bronze medal.

1985, 1987: European Championship gold medal.

1987: World Cup Tournament silver medal.

1981: Junior World Championship gold medal.

1982: Junior European Championship bronze medal.

Russian championship winner: Four times.

USSR championship winner: Five times.

From 1991 to 1995: Captain of the Russian national team.