Life in a country that is not your native can be a tough challenge for each person, but when there is Volleyball involved, things get much better. Going to another place, and having to adapt yourself, can teach you a lot, and besides of making you face new challenges, it gives you a whole new set of opportunities as well.
Croatia’s setter and captain, Tsimafei Zhukouski knows it very well. Born in Belarus, he and his family move to Croatia when he was only seven years old.
Tsimafei Zhukouski (1) and his teammates during an #EuroVolleyM match
“I was born in Belarus. We moved to Croatia when I was a 7-year-old. My parents work as doctors in Volleyball club HAOK Mladost in Croatia, this is how I started playing the game, too.”
The beginning in the new country wasn’t an easy one, but as Tsimafei reflects, everything happens for a reason.
“I was a small kid. I started immediately going to school, I didn’t know any language, so it was tough for us, but this is life. Sometimes things change overnight. But I am happy that we moved to Croatia, it gave me so much.”
Tsimafei Zhukouski
Captain and setter of Croatia
Volleyball played a pivotal role in the process of adaptation. Coming from a family, related to the sport, Zhukouski used to spend a lot of time in the gym by the time they moved to the new country.
“My parents used to be always in the gym, so I just took up on the sport. I was spending every free moment that I had in the hall. I was watching the practices of the teams, and I was practicing myself. For sure, Volleyball has helped me to feel better in the new place, in the new country. In general, Volleyball and all the team sports are very important and help you be part of the group.”
Years later, Tsimafei is leading the Croatian team at #EuroVolleyM 2021. On Wednesday, Croatia booked their ticket to the next stage of the competition, winning at 3-1 over Slovakia.
“I am extremely happy. This was our first goal, to pass the group. We were working hard. I think that we deserve it – we showed our game and our great team spirit.”
Team Croatia
But the journey to the playoffs stage wasn’t an easy one, as it required the players of head coach Emanuele Zanini to show mental toughness in decisive moments. Before winning to the Slovaks, they had recorded two victories after five-set thrillers against Latvia and Estonia, respectively.
“We didn’t start good, in our match against Germany. This wasn’t our game, then we met the Olympic champions. But from that point on, we kept our minds straight, tried to focus and gave everything.”
Inspired, Tsimafei shared also more on the match against co-hosts Estonia, when he and his teammates came back after losing the first two sets to eventually grab the victory.
“The atmosphere in the hall was perfect. We were so emotional. I was just trying to get every ball and to never give up.”
In the third set, with the results 19-12, Tsimafei delivered what can be described as one of the most spectacular points of the competition so far. In what seemed an impossible situation, the setter jumped over a cameraman, and scored.
Tsimafei Zhukouski saving an incredible point in the match against Estonia
“Probably, this was the greatest point in my career. But at the same time, I wanted to say “sorry” to the cameraman, I hope that I haven’t hurt him. I said it yesterday as well, but now I can do it officially.”
Tsimafei Zhukouski
Setter and captain of Croatia
Tsimafei says that after this action on the field, he and his teammates got even more inspired. Leading Croatia in tough situations is what Zhukouski loves doing as the team’s captain.
“Being Croatia’s captain means a lot to me. It is a great honour to me. I have been captain in the different age groups (juniors etc.). I feel that coaches see that it is in my nature to lead and give energy to the team.”
Tsimafei Zhukouski
Setter and captain of Croatia
As captain, Tsimafei always tries to help his teammates, but never yelling at them.
“I try to remain positive. Of course, if I see a situation in match or a training when someone is not pushing hard enough, yes, I react but trying to motivate and do my best for the team.”
A happy father of two kids, Zhukouski is sure of one thing: he won’t push them to follow in his steps.
“They will have to decide by themselves. But for sure, me and my wife will try to direct them in the right way.”
