Matantsev ready to defend the title: ”Wouldn't be there if I didn't believe”

Evgeniy Matantsev, 19, might sensationally have lost a few series in the last months.

But when the world championship nears, he gears up.

Now he is determined to defend his title in Umeå.

✔ Merits: World champion 2023 in Bryne, Norway.

✔ Results: Won the final against Rainers Kalnins by 4-2 (3-2, 1-2, 3-2, 2-1, 2-3, 3-2).

✔ Profile: When he first showed up more than ten years ago, Evgeniy was too short to tap down his left winger without moving to the side of the table. But already then his talent had the size of extra large and the kiddo was to grow past everyone else. Comes to Umeå as the defending champion.

*Left picture:* ”Zhenya” in the middle of the kids club in Tallinn 2016. *Right picture:* Evgeniy in Valmiera 2024, where he at least got the cup for winning the world tour. *Small middle picture:* In front of a waterfall in Germany 2025.

What do you remember the most from your world championship gold?

“The save I made on the center move from Caics in the silence of game seven in the quarterfinal – at that moment I clearly felt that I would become the world champion that day.”

What were the keys to your victory?

“The heart of a champion.”

Only Roni Nuttunen has won two world championships in a row. Will you defend your title in Umeå?

“If I didn’t believe in it, I wouldn’t be there.”

When was the last time you played table hockey?

“German Open.”

*Big picture:* In Bryne, the semifinals and the medal rounds were played at a new location – a highrise downtown. There, in the dark, Evgeniy, Rainers and Oscar got their prizes (before Vegard started the karaoke on the same stage). *Small picture:* The seconds after the end whistle, Evgeniy was swarmed by his joyful teammates.

What are your impressions of international table hockey today?

“It’s normal”.

Are there things that were better in the past?

“If we talk about Ukrainian table hockey – its development and so on – it used to be better, for obvious reasons. As for world table hockey, everything seems stable, but there’s always room for growth.”

Is there a chance that we will see you in future championships with help from the new rule that all former world champions are directly qualified?

“Yes, it’s a great rule.”

What do you do nowadays? And is there another hobby that has replaced or can compete with table hockey in your daily life?

“I’m in a constant search. I’ve already tried a lot of things and will try even more. But usually, closer to the world championships or European championships, table hockey is out of competition.”

Who will win the world championships 2025?

“I will! P.S. Artem Matantsev also has a pretty good chance.”

The world championship final in Bryne 2023 was a close one. Every game was won with one goal only. Edgars Caics was commenting the games live in the official stream.

With only one or two seconds to the whistle, Edgars Caics gets one last chance to draw game 7 in the quarterfinal. Evgeniy saves it. ”At that moment I clearly felt that I would become the world champion that day”, Evgeniy says.