"Ararat 73" – 40 years after: Hovhannes Zanazanyan urges Armenia's team to be consolidated like his teammates

YEREVN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. The more we study the details regarding the triumphs of "Ararat 73", the more new and interesting facts and events come forth, which are unknown for the contemporary footballers. "Armenpress" opens that "golden page" in the history book of the Armenian sport. Both the heroes and witnesses of the heroic triumph of "Ararat 73" tell new details about the club's achievements. This time the project is dedicated to legendary captain of the teamHovhannes Zanazanyan.

- Was it You to choose football or football chose You?

- My father was a football player. He used to play in the Superleague Greece. He still was an ardent footballer, when we returned to the homeland. He did not give up his enthusiasm in the motherland as well. He used to play for various football clubs of his time. And it was him who wanted me to go in for football. He wanted me to become a footballer. Therefore, I have inherited football.

- How did Hovhannes Zanazanyan come to "Ararat" and become the captain of the team?

- I had been playing for "Ararat" since 1966. I don’t know why, but my teammates have chosen me as captain for 7 years.

- Many years have passed since the final match between "Dinamo" Kiev – "Ararat", Yerevan. What memories does the captain have about that time?

- In my opinion the fans remember everything much better than we. We all were playing for victory alone. For the sake of the nation's honor and name. We were playing to grant joy to our compatriots. No matter where they were living - in motherland or elsewhere. We were confident they were following the match. Frankly speaking, we deserved all the trophies.

- What is Your opinion about our modern players?

- We have a good team, and all the guys have Armenian origin. But we do not have the desirable result, when they come from other football clubs and spend small period of time together. In my opinion one cannot have big success by spending just few days on training together. (THE FULL VERSION OF THE INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

Hovhannes Zanazanyan's memories were gratefully written down by Varvara Hayrapetyan

Photos from the "Armenpress" archive and by Samvel Berkibekyan