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Billiard player Evgeny Stalev. Stalev Evgeniy Evgenievich

Evgeniy Evgenievich Stalev was born on May 19, 1979 in the city of Lytkarino, Moscow region, into the family of worker Evgeniy Gennadievich Stalev. From early childhood, my father tried to instill in his children a love not only for their parents, but also for sports. At the age of 4, Zhenya could easily run for fun with his father (and sometimes without him) 5-10 kilometers through the forest. Throughout his life, Evgeniy first tried to be like his older brother. Maxim was born 4 years earlier.

But later the imitation grew from his father’s suggestion into healthy competition. Whatever the children did, Zhenya always tried to catch up and overtake his brother in everything. Their father selected special computer games for them, developing in children the desire to complete them at all costs and get pleasure from it. In 1988, in the city of Lytkarino, a billiard table appeared in the Crystal sports complex.

With the permission of the management, Evgeniy’s father, who played on the city basketball team, came after training and a bath just to knock on the balls. This fascinated him very much, and he sometimes took his sons with him. The eldest son could already play a little, but Zhenya was very short in stature and dad put him in a niche made on a raised platform. From where he watched his brother or father play. Two years later, my father decided to open his own billiard room in the city of Lytkarino. I bought three wooden three-meter billiard tables. And in the room where there was a locker room for the children's skating rink, His Majesty Billiards appeared for the first time in the city!

By this time, Zhenya had grown significantly, and after school he and his brother spent all their free time in the billiard room. With the help of his father, the first billiards federation of the Moscow region was created. Competitions for the championship of the Moscow region were held in the city of Lytkarino itself, as well as in other cities of the Moscow region. The family team had no equal in the region, but this did not give rest to the father of the family.

He himself began to travel to Moscow clubs, play with famous players, and watch them play. It was impossible to imagine how one could calmly approach the most famous players at that time and get any kind of advice. But still, there were quite decent people who, from the bottom of their hearts, having seen the Stalev brothers play, first brought Maxim to the section, and after a while they brought Evgeniy. After the “Russian Pyramid” club opened, my father had to quit his job in order to go to work as a marker at the club.

From that time on, children had the opportunity to train for free, at that time on the best tables in the USSR. The first successes inspired the family and at the family council it was decided to completely devote themselves to the sport of billiards. In 1991, the European Pool Championship was held for the first time in Leningrad. None of our players, even famous ones, knew practically nothing about this game. A year later, an open cup for pool “9” among the CIS countries is held in St. Petersburg. To reach the finals of this tournament, Evgeny beats the strongest player in the USSR, Yuri Sosnin, and his older brother Maxim, in turn, defeats the legendary player, Ashot Potikyan. Evgeny wins the final with a score of 11:8 and becomes the youngest professional pool player in the entire post-Soviet space.

Before this championship, the brothers trained only in Russian billiards. No one in the USSR understood the beauty of playing pool. The father, at his own peril and risk, decided to switch all his attention to the American pool. Due to his age and body characteristics, the father did not succumb to this overseas game, unlike his children. And watching the results, he had to completely switch his attention to training children in the pool. Due to the fact that American pool was not developed in the USSR, and subsequently Russia, no championships were held for many years.

Contrary to all the forecasts of experts who did not believe in the Stalevs’ star, they went to Prague (Czechoslovakia) to “defend” their homeland with their hard-earned money. Evgeniy’s result was not very good, but on the contrary, Maxim surprised everyone by entering the top 16 players at that Eurotour! In 1995, Zhenya became the champion of Poland. At such a high wave, fruitful training began; at the request of the Federation leadership, the guys successfully played Russian billiards. Older brother Maxim became the Russian champion in Russian billiards in 1994-1995.

In 1996, Zhenya again became the champion of Poland. Moreover, over the course of a month in Poland, he and his brother won five tournaments. Since 1995, Zhenya begins to perform at various Russian and World championships in Russian billiards and is very successful. 1995, Moscow, “American” - in the final Zhenya loses to his older brother Maxim. In the same year in Moscow, according to the International Association of Pocket Billiards in Pyramid and Carolina, Evgeniy becomes the world champion in “Russian Pyramid”.

At the end of the same year, a match was held in the city of Krasnodar for the title of Absolute World Champion in Russian billiards (eventing). 1st place: Evgeniy Stalev, 2nd place: Givi Amfidiadi, 3rd place: Eduard Galiyants. The next year, 1996, Zhenya won the Russian Championship in the “Russian Pyramid”, second place at the MALBPK Championship, and a match for the title of Absolute Champion of Russia (eventing) in Moscow. Match for the title of absolute World Champion in Russian billiards. In 1997 he again became the champion of Poland.

Until this time, there are no pool competitions in Russia because there was no competition for the Stalev brothers. In the same year, Zhenya loses in the final of the Russian American Championship to Viktor Kirilenko from Ufa.

1st place World Championship in Kyiv in the “Moscow Pyramid”
1st place at the Open Eventing Championship. There are two brothers in the final.
In 1998, Evgeniy won all three World Championships in all types of Russian billiards and received the title of Absolute World Champion.

During this time, Zhenya became the winner in many unofficial tournaments: “White Nights” (St. Petersburg, 1996); “Tournament for the Cup of the Governor of the Kemerovo Region” (2000); “Tournament of the strongest players of the FBI” (Samara, 1997). In the same year, the World Championship among club teams is held, a team of three people participates in this tournament - all three are Stalevs, the team becomes the World Champion.

1997 The brothers win qualification for the World Championships in Chicago (USA) and go on a month-long tour of the USA. During this month-long trip, the Stalevs took part in a dozen open tournaments. We played with such world stars as Kim Davenport, Reed Pierce, Jimmy Vetch, Warren Kiamko, Drorge San Souci, Corey Deuel, Leonardo Andam.

In 1998, Evgeniy won the Eurotour in Spain in pool - it was a sensation. In one day, Evgeniy beats one after another: Oliver Ortmann, Ralf Souquet, Thomas Engert, Samuel Kleemann - all multiple European champions! This was preceded by a month-long internship trip to the USA, after which a giant leap was made in the development of American pool in Russia. People realized that all was not lost and they could fight the Americans in their native billiards. 1999 The Stalevs, having won the right (based on the results of the Eurotours), defend Russia at the World Championships in Cardiff (England), where Evgeniy manages to enter the 16 best players on the entire planet.

Text: Evgeniy Stalev (senior)

The appearance of Evgeniy Stalev at any tournament causes increased interest, if not excitement. His play at TV tournaments dramatically increases the ratings of TV broadcasts. Some call him “Legend”, some “Great”. And these epithets are not an exaggeration. He was the first to start playing Russian billiards serially and in combination. The way everyone is trying to play today.

All sports in the world are promoted and popularized by “stars”. But the “stars” of Russian billiards often do not come to the court. Maybe that's why Russian billiards is seriously ill today? “Kremlin tournaments” IKBS are a rare exception.

The 7th Kremlin Cup became history. The winner in the men's category was Evgeniy Stalev, who defeated Kanybek Sagynbaev in the final.

Is this an episode or a return for a long time? Impressions from the tournament? Plans?

These and other questions are from me, Yuri Lobach, on behalf of the website of the Minsk Billiard Sports Federation www..

Yuri Lobach (Yu.L.) Zhenya, hello! Congratulations on your brilliant victory!

Evgeniy Stalev (E.S.) Thank you.

Yu.L. How long ago did you start practicing Russian billiards?

E.S. I'll tell you for sure. A month and a half. I played 8 hours a day.

Yu.L. Did you prepare specifically for the Kremlin Cup?

E.S. No. I started preparing for the tournament in Ussuriysk, and then for the Kremlin.

Yu.L. And for what? What is the motivation?

E.S. For the sake of an idea.

Yu.L. What's the idea?

E.S. What an idea... To raise billiards to a completely different level.

Yu.L. How do you assess the current state of Russian billiards?

E.S. Like very, very neglected. And there are many options for how to promote it and take it to another level, to revive it.

Yu.L. Can we say that the reason for your return was the neglected state of billiards?

E.S. This is one of the reasons. The second is to show the game, a wonderful game. All I can do. So that people have fun and learn.

Yu.L. In your opinion, is this revival connected with any specific game or should all types of Russian billiards be developed?

E.S. I think, for now, still with one. An example is snooker. It is important to study and practice in one game. Skills grow, tactical thinking develops.

Yu.L. Agree. And this is “Moskovskaya”?

E.S. Yes. "Moskovskaya". It is more understandable and time-optimal for everyone. We fit it into two to two and a half hours for the television format. Changing the parameters of the equipment: cloth and balls will increase the entertainment. Lighter balls will expand technical capabilities. The game will be more dynamic and faster. It will be easier to make exits.

Yu.L. Let's now return to the Kremlin Tournament. On your way to the final, what were your most memorable matches? Difficulties or your good game.

E.S. Probably Pivchenko. You can’t say that he plays hard, but I had to give it my all. I set traps for him so that he would start throwing himself. It turned out just the way I wanted. Built a positional game. I scored 3-5 balls, went to the ground and then one ball at a time reached eight.

Yu.L. I can’t help but ask about our Minsk player Saltovsky, with whom you played in the 1/8 and lost 1:3 during the match.

E.S. Yes. Well... Great!!! How he scored balls! I haven't seen this for probably five years.

Yu.L. How did you manage to win?

E.S. Roleplaying.

Yu.L. He played aggressively, realizing that he couldn’t beat you positionally. Or were there unjustified throws?

E.S. Several balls did not fall, and I punished him. This happens often.

Yu.L. Now about the finale. Stalev-Sagynbaev. I heard the opinion that the score of your personal matches is in favor of your opponent in the final.

E.S. I didn't count. If there is an advantage in his favor, it is not significant. But I won the main matches on television. And he beat him for money. Recently we played: 10:6 in games in my favor.

Yu.L. The score is 0:3 in the final. Describe your condition. Share with readers how you felt?

E.S. I'll share. Firstly, I was very well tuned in to Kanybek. I knew he was going to play really hard. I knew that it would be very difficult for me to beat him. I knew that he really wanted to beat me at this tournament, in the final. I heard rumors that his sponsors promised him additional bonuses for winning such a status tournament.

Yu.L. So. As you expected, it was hard. The score is 0:3. What's next?

I thought about good things. Switched.

I knew that if I started playing and started winning, he would definitely “buy” the jitters. Because he's afraid of me. And so it happened. Everything happened as I wanted.

Yu.L. And when you felt that you had won.

E.S. When it became 3:3. Then I already realized that I had broken it.

If you saw, I smiled a lot during the match. This is how one person set me up. And the TV guys. And perhaps this influenced my condition. It was as if I was trapped in a matrix.

Yu.L. In courage?

E.S. It’s not like I’m being brave. I calmly worked on what I am capable of and can do. I pocketed my usual balls with a good percentage. And one time I was very lucky. The “fool” fell with the score 4:1 in my favor in the 6th game. If he had not fallen, everything could have ended differently.

Yu.L. How did you feel when you placed the last ball?

E.S. Admiration and joy for all my fans, for all the spectators at the Olimpiysky, for Russian billiards, which can bring a lot of positive emotions to people.

Our game was precisely Russian billiards, which is now in shit because of “American”. Billiards should be a game where you have to think, and not reduce everything to potting balls. After all, I played without a “hand” with Kanybek. You probably noticed that I didn't have any big streaks and I still beat him.

Yu.L. Clearly, I didn’t take any risks.

I can't help but ask this question. I read on the Internet the opinion of some eyewitnesses of the finale who believe that there was an “agreement”. Personally, my opinion is that this is nonsense.

E.S. I'll tell you what: complete nonsense! There was no such “happiness” (ironically). Still, it was visible and understandable. Normal game.

Yu.L. Tell us about your upcoming tournament plans.

E.S. There are no tournament plans yet. I want to implement one project. In the near future you can see me playing more professional billiards.

E.S. I think for a long time. Because this project will take some time. It needs to be worked out competently and brought to a good level.

Yu.L. Zhenya, I wish you to successfully realize your plans. We are looking forward to new matches with your participation. And in conclusion, say a few words to Belarusian billiards fans.

E.S. I know that in Belarus people love billiards just as much as in Russia. We are one. We all need to develop. Play all types of billiards. This is necessary for your country and for ours. Together we can do a lot. Hello everyone.

Evgeny Stalev was born on May 19, 1979 in the city of Lytkarino, Moscow region. From childhood, Zhenya’s father taught him to play sports; he could easily run up to 10 kilometers through the forest. In everything he tried not to be inferior to his older brother Maxim, as a result of which imitation turned into healthy competition. They train together on everything. Then in their city of Lytkarino a billiards table appeared in the Crystal sports complex, and 2 years later his father opened his billiards room, and at the age of 10 Zhenya began to play. After school, he and his brother spend all their free time in the billiard room. Thanks to his father, the first billiards federation was created in the Moscow region. Competitions began to be held for the championship of the Moscow region, where the Stalev family had no equal.

But my father did not rest on this, he went to Moscow clubs, played with famous players, and watched the game. He managed to get advice from famous players, and then, having seen how the Stalev brothers played, they were brought to the section. Then the Russian Pyramid club opens and the father quits his job to work as a marker at the club. The Stalev brothers begin training for free, and at the best tables in the USSR. The first successes come, and during the family council it was decided to devote himself entirely to the sport of billiards. Evgeniy made a decision for himself - to leave school, because he had decided on a profession in life, and the school could not help him with this, and a lot of time was spent on training. So he went to the billiard room and stayed there forever. He trains at least 8 hours a day and literally sleeps on the pool table.

In 1991, the European Pool Championship was held for the first time in Leningrad. Nobody knew almost anything about this game, even the most seasoned players. To reach the finals of the tournament, Stalev beats a very strong player in the USSR - Yuri Sosnin. He eventually won the final and became the youngest professional pool player in the country. Before that, he trained only on the Russian table. In the USSR they did not know the intricacies of playing pool. His father decided to switch to American pool training. But he couldn’t tell him anything in this game. Evgeniy studies an American book on pool and trains independently with his brother.

The most powerful players in Russia and the leadership of the federation did not know what to do. Everyone realized that a very bright leader had appeared in Russian billiards. He was capable of eclipsing players who were considered legends and upending the established order. A seemingly small, awkward boy who received the nickname “Dwarf” among his colleagues. But among billiard players they said that he “torn” any venerable players, despite their titles, ranks and practice. At such a young age he became the best, and his colleagues and acquaintances could not give him practical advice. On the contrary, he himself had already risen to such a level that he could transfer knowledge, and even in Russian billiards he implemented the theory of pool that he received. He could think through moves in a game in advance, and no one had done this before him, not counting some famous players. Stalev calculated the end of the game from the first blow. He brought a lot to the table when he was so young.

Due to the fact that Stalev's father had a conflict with the federation on several issues, they disqualified the entire Stalev family. And despite the fact that there was talk that this dealt a big blow, and during this period a galaxy of new young players emerged who were strong, talented and could try to fight with Stalev on equal terms, in fact this did not break Evgeniy, and other players were not up to his skill. And Stalev himself did not waste time, he went to Europe and achieved great success in the pool. There he also surprised everyone with his style of play, won many victories and took prizes in the Eurotours, as well as in the largest official and commercial competitions. By that time, the swamp of Russian billiards, which the Stalevs had stirred up, had gradually calmed down.

Thanks to Evgeniy Stalev, billiards found a name with which it was possible to quickly change the image of Russian billiards, inherited from Soviet times. And I found a name that could attract funds from sponsors and patrons for the development of billiards. Many admire Evgeniy's skill, his billiard technique, and his ability to make a real show out of the game. He has many victories in tournaments and has developed unique shots. He brought a lot to this sport and set the bar high.

February 3, 2005. The games of the first day of the first round of the European Cup in Minsk have begun. I approached Evgeny Stalev and asked if we could talk for a while. The legend of Russian billiards kindly agreed without any hesitation (in this case, I also include the meaning of “Russian” in the word “Russian”, since among our people in the world it is Stalev who is best known for playing pool). There was plenty of time until the next match. They say that, while still a young man, Evgeniy hid from reporters wherever possible. Another rumor, or the young man has matured. Now an ordinary person sat in front of me, with his own problems and joys, views on life and character traits unique to him, both positive and not so positive. I didn’t prepare any questions in advance because I didn’t really count on such luck, so our conversation looked more like a conversation than an interview. I tried to ask a lot and about different things, but the focus of attention always remained only billiards.

Are you tired of attention to yourself?

Not really. Fine.

How is your life going? Have heard very little about you lately. I began to play less. What is this connected with? Or maybe you'll come back?

Happens. This is connected not only with some of our own personal problems. Prize funds have become smaller. But it’s difficult to show a good game while earning practically nothing. You have to give a lot of strength, a lot of your emotions. This is a professional sport. Each player, if he plays sports professionally, must earn enough to feed himself, his family, and so on.

But for this, the sport itself must grow. Our billiard sport is probably not yet ripe for that.

It will not mature if some people slow it down. Seven years ago I won five thousand dollars for first place, now it’s even less. It seems that there is more money in Russia, but the prize funds are smaller. Money goes to the wrong places.

Do you do anything else to earn money?

So to be specific, no.

That is, you live exclusively from billiards.

I heard you want to get more into pool again.

Yes, starting this year I plan to take up pool. Tables are coming to me from America. I'll switch to the pool soon.

What about Russian?

Russian will be in parallel. If possible, I will combine and participate in pyramid tournaments too.

How simple and easy is it for you to combine these two games?

Not simple and not easy.

Having trouble switching from one game to another?

From Russian to pool - yes. And from pool to Russian it’s easier.

What is this connected with?

With the fact that the player classes are completely different. It's harder to win in pool.

Are there more professionals there?

More professional players, and the game itself should be error-free. If you are wrong in Russian, there are still many options to win. But in pool you lose if you make mistakes once or twice per set.

People talk about you the most. They consider you a legendary player, the king of billiards. You are very supported, even if you take a vote on our website. How do you feel about this?

How do I feel? It’s not for me to judge this. But I think that the merits are real. I won many championships that can be compared to world championships. These victories cannot be called accidental. I showed a very good game, and some of my matches were absolutely perfect. The year before last I won the Moscow Pyramid final against Kirill Anishchenko - this is one of the best games. I think the cassette came out. You can take a look. My victories make themselves felt, and that’s why I’m the first on your site.

Has anything interesting happened in your life in recent years?

Nothing specific. Last year we went with Misha Kiladze to Taiwan for the World Pool Championship. A small accident happened there. I was sued again. I had to get into the main draw. But the judge was wrong. Or rather, he did not notice the real situation. And the players who were rooting against me also remained silent. This is one of the main reasons I didn't pass. There was a 100% pass. I just had to remember how many fouls my opponent had. Instead of two they said one. If they said it was two, the position would have been such that I would have won instantly. There was no need to even make a mask. The ball that the opponent needed to hit was completely covered by three balls. I just had to foul myself and wait for him to make his third foul. But I myself didn’t remember that the enemy already had two penalties. The judge said that he was alone, but I was so excited. After the match, the players asked what you were doing, why you played like that. When I asked why they didn’t tell me right away, they answered that they had no right. I was indignant - how can you have no right, there must be justice. Let's win unfairly and pocket the balls with our hands.

Do you often encounter injustice?

It happens... It happens.

Both in billiards and in life?

Not much in life. And in billiards more often.

Do you remember anything pleasant? Some funny incidents.

After the World Championships in Taiwan, we went to Thailand to relax. I lost, and Mishka lost. So we went to one of the islands of Thailand.

Did any cataclysms happen?

No. But there were still earthquakes in Taiwan. When Misha was playing, the nine-story building in which the championship was taking place began to move.

Right during the game?

During the game. He just didn't even understand what was happening. The balls began to move.

Did you start replaying it later?

No, no one began to replay. Misha was sitting at this time. I sat next to him and watched. His opponent was at the table. We were all a little scared. The earthquake was minor, but we felt it. So after that we went to Thailand to relax. We made friends with certain people there. Nobody there knew that we played pool professionally. Two days passed, but we did not show that we were playing at all. We just relaxed and went scuba diving. And then we started running out of money. We say: “Guys, do you want to play for money?” They happily agreed. I won two hundred dollars from them. On the island where we were, it turned out that it was a lot of money. Then the whole island found out that we had beaten the local champion, and no one else would play with us. But a lot of girls came up to meet me. There seems to be nothing more to remember.

Let's return to your life in Russia. There are a lot of rumors and omissions about your relationship with the federation. Can you comment?

What exactly? Ask a specific question.

For example, your absence from the last World Championships.

It's very simple. At the World Championships in St. Petersburg I took second place. It turns out that I was the first to pass from Russia. No one else among the Russians showed a better result at this World Championship. After that, I played only Russian billiards for a year. But they told me that I would not automatically qualify for the World Championships and should participate in the qualifiers. To which I replied that I took second place at the previous World Championships and I want to at least defend my title. Then there is such a thing as a VIP player, whom they want to see both in the hall and on television. More people will watch the game. Everyone benefits, and it’s useful for billiards in the first place. But people don't want to understand this. They don't need to understand this. They try to discriminate against the strongest players whenever possible. If everything is so strict and according to the rules, then I can immediately point out ten of their mistakes. Let's take the qualifiers for this World Cup again. Based on the results of the qualifiers, four people qualified. Of these, Yura Pashchinsky immediately passed because he holds some position in the federation. He is his own man, and he was not forced to re-select. Pavel Mekhovoy's coach holds some position. But Kurmanaev and Denisov were told that they had to re-qualify, although they had already deservedly qualified for the World Championship because they won at the qualifying rounds. Then Petushkov and Anishchenko, who lost in the qualifications, were again asked to re-qualify. The second time they won and began to participate in the World Championship. I think it's a mess. Now they are discriminating against me, then they will take on others. If a strong player appears who will insist on his opinion, they will also discriminate against him and not allow him to play. They do what they want.

It's clear. Let's leave politics a little and talk about billiards itself. What does billiards mean to you?

First of all, this is a game. Life game. My whole life is connected with billiards.

What does she give you besides food?

Billiards is a smart game, chess in motion, as it is called. There are many nuances in it that tell you how to behave in life. Billiards teaches you how to do the right thing, how to limit yourself in something and not make unnecessary movements. And in general, I like to play and travel around the world.

How many hours a day did you train before?

And now?

Four to five.

But every day?

Yes. Preferably.

Do you have your own table somewhere, or do you go to clubs?

There will be one soon.

Russian too?

I don't need a Russian table. The prize money is small. The incentive is weak.

Do you devote more training to the pool?

Yes. I haven't played pool for two years. I mean, I only performed in tournaments, but there were very few of them. Starting this year I will start playing pool and train hard. And in Russian insofar as. If there is an opportunity to play in tournaments and they don’t interfere with my schedule, then I will play.

Which Russian billiards master would you say is closest to your level of play?

Similar in style or quality of play?

Let's do one thing first, then the other.

Similar in style... Not at all. There are none. I didn't see it. And so, Kanybek (Sagyndykov) shows a good and stable game. Kirill Anishchenko. Also Kanybek Sagynbaev. Yaroslav Vinokur is not bad either, but I don’t think his game is super-skill. I like Kanybek Sagynbaev better. He has not yet become a champion, but he can reach a very high level. Why? Because he plays not only the hit-and-run game, the rules of which our federations are increasingly simplifying so that strong players cannot win so often and weak ones also win in tournaments. It turns out that it is no longer Russian billiards, but some kind of madhouse.

What does your playing style mean? Describe it.

These are all kinds of shots that need to be practiced. These are the most complex exits and undercuts of the pyramid. This is a complete technical arsenal for billiards. I play pool, so I know what goes where.

Sagyndykov also hits and leaves.

Well, at a certain level he plays. Many technically difficult strikes are not visible from him.

As a spectator, I would say that you take more risky shots.

There is such a thing. Yes. But not always. This happens to me when the match is not serious. When the match is serious, I try to play for sure.

And why did you lose to Vinokur at the World Championships, remember?

I didn't give in. I lost.

What's the difference?

I treated the final unprofessionally. So you can say. I thought it would be easy. At first it was like that. I was leading 4:1, but I lacked professionalism. Such as to completely squeeze and wait for him to start throwing himself at the balls. And I started from positions that were fraught with mistakes and could lead to loss.

You said that you have to wait for the opponent to start throwing himself, that is, freaking out. How important is psychology in the game?

Psychology is important, of course. (I thought about it)

What psychological techniques do you use in addition to technical ones? Pressure on your opponent, for example?

No. I try not to do that. Basically it is a quality game and error-free play so that the opponent begins to rush. Then the opponent himself realizes that he is in a difficult situation and begins to get lost.

Do you spend a lot of time playing billiards? Has this affected your family life? You divorced your wife.

I don't know how much of an impact it had. But how would...

Many people are simply wondering whether it is possible to get seriously involved in billiards when your girlfriend, for example, is not interested in it and, moreover, is even opposed to such a hobby.

It shouldn't be that a woman is jealous of billiards. This is no longer a reasonable woman. And about my life: I lived with my wife, had a child. The girl is growing up.

Do you still keep in touch with them?

Yes, I support the relationship. And I've been divorced for two years now.

But are you thinking of starting a new family? Are you a family man?

Certainly. I wouldn't mind a couple of boys.

Why boys?

To continue the game. Maybe not only at billiards, but somewhere else. In tennis or golf.

Do you play tennis or golf yourself?

No tennis, but I tried golf. I'd like to play. But this, if it works out, will happen in America. There are more opportunities there.

Do you have any other hobbies? Do you play chess?

I don’t play chess, but sometimes I play complex card games that develop my brain. I play darts - I like it.

I don't want to torture you for too long. Maybe a little more about plans for this year.

About plans? I already said that I’m waiting for tables. I'll start training. Two months, at least, and it’s tight.

Will you go to the States?

Yes. I'll probably go to the States. Maybe I’ll go to the Philippines first to train. Or maybe I’ll go straight to the States for tournaments. And at the same time I will participate in match meetings in the pyramid, if such are organized.

That is, despite the situation with low prize funds, you won’t leave Russian billiards?

Hardly. The main thing is that some people, who also try to limit prize funds, do not put a spoke in our wheels. They do this to prevent players from reaching a certain level of income and becoming more independent.

And if you ignore money, where does your soul lie more - a pool or a pyramid?

Of course, to the pool. That's why I've been playing pool since childhood. I trained mainly in pool. In Russian only before tournaments. In the pool, again, there is more prize money. Not the same as in snooker, of course, but more. And in the Russian World Championship for the fifth year in a row there is the same prize fund of $20,000. This, of course, is shameful for such an elite sport, for such, I would say, a television sport. The first tournaments, which were broadcast on the SPORT channel, were watched by millions of people. I believe that this sport is not worthy of such small prize funds. At least they added a thousand every year so that people could see that something was moving.

How do you feel about women's billiards?

Not yet. In America, I see they play well.

And in Russian?

I don’t read much Russian. Basically I would name two: Mazhirin and Kislova. In my opinion they are one of the strongest.

They also came to Minsk for the European tour.

Well, what can they do here?

Do you think that a woman can’t do something in billiards?

Maybe. But in Russian it is more difficult for her to achieve something. There is no such massive impact. Maybe also because they are not so trained, but unlikely. Although there are women in the pool who hit well and break decently.

If the network brings you together with one of the girls here, how will you feel?

Fine. As usual. I'll do my job.

Stalev Evgeniy Evgenievich(May 19, 1979, Lytkarino) - Soviet and Russian billiard player. Multiple champion in Russian billiards and pool.

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Biography

From childhood, Zhenya’s father taught him to play sports; he could easily run up to 10 kilometers through the forest. In everything he tried not to be inferior to his older brother Maxim, as a result of which imitation turned into healthy competition. They train together on everything. Then in their city of Lytkarino a billiards table appeared in the Crystal sports complex, and 2 years later his father opened his billiards room, and at the age of 10 Zhenya began to play. After school, he and his brother spend all their free time in the billiard room. Thanks to his father, the first billiards federation was created in the Moscow region. Competitions began to be held for the championship of the Moscow region, where the Stalev family had no equal. But my father did not rest on this, he went to Moscow clubs, played with famous players, and watched the game. He managed to get advice from famous players, and then, having seen how the Stalev brothers played, they were brought to the section. Then the Russian Pyramid club opens and the father quits his job to work as a marker at the club. The Stalev brothers begin training for free, and at the best tables in the USSR. The first successes come, and during the family council it was decided to devote himself entirely to the sport of billiards. Evgeniy made a decision for himself - to leave school, because he had decided on a profession in life, and the school could not help him with this, and a lot of time was spent on training. So he went to the billiard room and stayed there forever. He trains at least 8 hours a day and literally sleeps on the pool table.

In 1995 and 1996, Evgeniy became the Polish pool champion. He actively participates in tournaments and championships. The leadership of the federation asks not to forget about Russian billiards, and Evgeniy successfully performs at various Russian and World championships in Russian billiards. In 1996, Evgeniy Stalev, at the age of 17, won all Russian championships and automatically became the absolute champion. The most powerful players in Russia and the leadership of the federation did not know what to do. Everyone understood that a very bright leader had appeared in Russian billiards. He was capable of eclipsing players who were considered legends and upending the established order. A seemingly small, awkward boy who received the nickname “Dwarf” among his colleagues. But among billiard players they said that he “torn” any venerable players, despite their titles, ranks and practice. At such a young age he became the best, and his colleagues and acquaintances could not give him practical advice. On the contrary, he himself had already risen to such a level that he could transfer knowledge, and even in Russian billiards he implemented the theory of pool that he received. He could think through moves in a game in advance, and no one had done this before him, not counting some famous players. Stalev calculated the end of the game from the first blow. He brought a lot to the table when he was so young.