Henrik Mkhitaryan:

I did not want to move to the club of upper class and become a utility man.

April 2, 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net - The pupil of the Yerevan Pyunik club Henrik Mkhitaryan was recognized the best player of Armenia in 2009. Besides, according to the polls of Metallurg’s fans, Mkhitaryan repeatedly was recognized the best player of the club. In an interview to PanARMENIAN.Net Henrik Mkhitaryan told about the plans of the club, the chances of the Armenian national team in the group stage of Euro 2012, as well as spoke about difference between the Armenian and Ukrainian football.

According to experts, the Armenian team in the qualifying stage of Euro 2012 is not in a very difficult group. Being the main player of the team, how do you assess the chances of our team to overcome the group stage?

I do not think that our group is an easy one. It has many strong teams. Despite this, we will fight till the end.

Armenian team has a new head coach, Vardan Minasyan. In your opinion, is it important that the team is headed by the Armenian coach?

He is not a new coach for us, since Mr. Minasyan has already coached the national team as an interim coach and he is familiar with all the players. If the AFF management appointed him, then they believe in his capabilities.

Your club Donetsk Metallurg is the 7th at the championship of Ukraine. What task does the club have in this season?

We always strive for higher places. Our main goal is to win a ticket to Euroleague. The fact that the club now occupies the 7th place, does not mean anything, because we have 9 more games in this championship and everything can happen.

In the Ukrainian Cup the team reached the finals. In May, the team will play with the "Tavria". How would you rate your chances?

I think our opportunities are equal. We will try to play well and win the Cup.

You’ve been repeatedly named the best player by Metalurg fans. Does it help improve your performance?

Sure, I’m grateful to every one who votes for me and supports me.

Several European clubs were interested in signing you in. You were cast in Lyons, yet picked the Ukrainian club.

I was unwilling to join high ranking club and face the perspective of acting a reserve player. So I figured I’d start at intermediate level.

How are you settled in a new place?

It was hard in the beginning, but then I got used to it and feel quite comfortable now. The atmosphere is good and I’m friendly with everyone in our club.

What’s the difference between Armenian and Ukrainian football?

Ukrainian football is more physical, rather than technical or tactical. Many Armenian teams do not even have winter practice sessions, so physically Armenian teams yield Ukrainian ones.

Genes, surely, matter, but what made you pick football as your profession and how important is football to you?

Football is my primary priority. I intend to pursue this profession for the rest of my life.

Hasmik Babayan, Gohar Nalbandyan / PanARMENIAN News

Partner news

Feedbox

Most popular in the section

Edgar Manucharyan and David Manoyan::
David thinks Kate Beckinsale to be one of the most beautiful actresses. Edgar likes films with Monica Bellucci.

After the Armenia-Russia EURO 2012 qualifier, PanARMENIAN.Net met with some members of the Armenian team to continue the series of interviews. Below are answers of forward Edgar Manucharyan and midfielder David Manoyan, who described their emotions in the match vs. Russia, as well as commented on...

Levon Pachajyan and Arthur Yedigaryan:
Levon’s wife is his true fan; Arthur’s spouse watches all his matches and sometimes gives him good advice about how to play

PanARMENIAN.Net is familiarizing its readers with the members of the Armenian national football team. Midfielders Levon Pachajyan and Arthur Yedigaryan, who also play for Iranian FCs Sanat Naft and PAS Hamadan, tell about their achievements and future plans, their families and life in Iran.

Vic Darchinyan:
Armenia may host one of my bouts in 2011

Vic Darchinyan was one of those sportsmen who made Armenia known worldwide. Having won many titles under Australian flag, he decided to represent his homeland since 2009. The year of 2010 was not easy. Vic was beaten by Abner Mares, what changed all his plans. In an interview with...

At focus

4 Armenian chess players to participate in Chess World 2013 Norway will host Chess World Cup 2013 on August 10 - September 4, 2013, with 4 Armenian players to participate in.

Articles: Sport

Armenia sets record, climbs 41st in FIFA rankings

Armenian football fans got a dream named EURO 2012

Armenian boxers, wrestlers win medals at European Championships

Yura Movsisyan scores two goals, David Nalbandian back to court

Armenian football: one defeat, one victory

Home

Overview: Sport

More intreviews in section
Sport

CATEGORY PARTNER

Other interviews

Armenia and world
Though Armenia is a CSTO member, it successfully cooperates also with NATO. Armenia, represented by the Foreign Minister and Defense Minister, participated in the Lisbon NATO summit in November 2010, as part of which opinions were exchanged with respect to the bilateral relations. Newly appointed NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai commented toPanARMENIAN.Net on the current level of NATO-Armenia relations, outlooks for boosting the relations within the framework of IPAP, as well as the organization’s position on the Karabakh conflict settlement and the Armenian-Turkish normalization.
James Appathurai: NATO has not changed position on Karabakh and supports OSCE MG efforts
Society
On November 16, the Special Events Auditorium of Cafesjian Center for the Arts hosted the third annual donation event of the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF). In an interview with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, COAF founder Garo Armen shared his thoughts on the goals and prospects of the Fund.
Garo Armen: A real philanthropist seeks no excuse
Economy
SME funding is a priority target for Areximbank-Gazprombank Group CJSC since the small and medium enterprises are the backbone of the economy in any country. The banks usually toughen loaning conditions, including those related to SME during a crisis to reduce the risks. However, the situation has changed now, and the SME loaning sector has started to develop. Head of the bank's SME loan department Martin Torosyan spoke about the bank's plans on SME funding in 2013 in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.
Martin Torosyan: Areximbank-Gazprombank Group's SME credit portfolio to hit AMD 10 bln by late 2013
Arts & Showbiz
Popular Swiss band Aliose is currently performing in Armenia within the framework of Francophonie season; this is Switzerland's contribution to the month of Francophonie (mois de la francophonie) organized in Armenia. The concert is initiated by the Swiss Embassy in Armenia in collaboration with KASA Foundation. Aliose was founded five years ago as a duet, with new members joining the band later. PanARMENIAN.Net presents an interview with Alizé Oswald and Xavier Michel from Aliose.
Alizé Oswald and Xavier Michel: Aliose glad to see their songs promote French language
IT & Technology
In November 2011, DPE technical Lead for CEE Karl Davies-Barrett paid a two-day visit to Armenia to hold workshop sessions at Microsoft Innovation Center Armenia. In an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net, Mr. Davies-Barrett presented the advantages of Windows Phone operating system, foretelling coming developments in mobile world. He also shared his impressions about Armenian IT sector, hailing the country’s vast potential.
Karl Davies-Barrett: Windows Phone changes the way people use the phone
Politics
A candidate in Armenia's presidential elections, Paruyr Hayrikyan, shot and wounded in an assassination attempt, feels good and is determined to continue the race. The question remains: Will the elections be delayed? As the candidate told PanARMENIAN.Net, he’ll either apply to the Constitutional Court with a request to delay the elections for 2 weeks, or try and collect his strength to continue with the campaign. “The poll day of February 18 is important to me for many reasons,” he said.
Paruyr Hayrikyan: Gunman was not Armenian
Foreign Policy & Diaspora
On May 9, Armenians celebrate a triple holiday: the Victory Day, the NKR Defense Army Day and Liberation of Shushi. The Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic Defense Minister, defense army commander, Lieutenant General Movses Hakobyan spoke about the achievements and shortcomings of the defense army, as well as its regional role in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.
Movses Hakobyan: Fragile, but lasting peace in Karabakh best achievement of defense army

Latest news

Gunmen kill Iraqi police officer's family

The recent spike of violence has raised fears that the country might be heading to a new round of sectarian violence.

Afghan lawmakers block law protecting women

Among its provisions are bans on child marriage and the traditional practice of selling and buying women to settle disputes.

Egyptian police block crossing into Gaza

The protesting policemen called on President Mohamed Mursi, who is a moderate Islamist, to help free their colleagues.

U.S. politicians seek answers about Google Glass

Some of the points in the letter were addressed during an interview in San Francisco with Google Glass director Steve Lee.