Nicusor Pascu wants to bring the gold medal for the MAG.

Starting 2009, the Romanian MAG team has a new coach, Nicusor Pascu. After a month of training and a few days of training camp in Switzerland, he told Prosport about how the training sessions are going and what the goals for this year are.

How did the gymnasts adapt to your coaching style?

Very well. January was a difficult month, very physically challenging for them. I don’t think they were used with such a radical program, but they got well over those moments. There were also new things which they have adapted well at.

How useful was the training camp in Switzerland?

I went there only with 11 gymnasts out of a total of 15. I think it helped them a lot to change the atmosphere and to train with the gymnasts there. They’ve gotten along very well; we are going to continue this collaboration.

How is the training going now? What are you focusing on?

We are on normal speed with the training now. We are focusing on different elements, on repeating them and on fixing some of them, but also on full, easy routines, meaning that the gymnasts perform their exercises, but without those very difficult elements.

How have they adapted to the new code of points?

Pretty well. The big changes are at floor, parallel bars and rings, but for the rest everything stays the same. We won’t make many modifications in their routines.

Has the young Vlad Cotuna adjusted to the team?

Very well. I think he likes it to train with the older colleagues. He is a very ambitious and talented kid, who works hard this year in order to pass his baccalaureate exam. We understand him and we support him through that process.

What are the goals for this year?

As I have already said, I would like to form a real team, inside which the gymnasts help and support each other, and I hope to see the result of this strategy at the Europeans. I also want the training to lead to a good result at the European Championships (April 2-5, Milano), where we will be fighting for a gold medal.

What are going to be the first competitions this year and who is going to participate?

We are going to start with the American Cup, between 19 and 22 February, in Chicago, where Adrian Bucur will be present. Afterwards, between 4 and 9 March, Daniel Popescu, Razvan Selariu, Marius Berbecar and Robert Stanescu are going to participate at the World Cup in Montréal, Canada. At the World Cup in Cottbus, Germany (March 19-22), 5 gymnasts are going to participate.

The members of the Romanian senior MAG team:
Daniel Popescu (CS Dinamo Bucuresti)
Razvan Selariu (CS Dinamo Bucuresti)
Flavius Koczi (CS Dinamo Bucuresti)
Marius Berbecar (CSM Bistrita)
Robert Stanescu (CS Dinamo Bucuresti)
Alin Jivan (CSS3 Steaua Bucuresti)
Adrian Bucur (CSM Sf. Gheorghe)
Cosmin Popescu (CS Dinamo Bucuresti)
Cosmin Malita (CSS Resita)
Cosmin Iancu (CSS3 Steaua Bucuresti)
Cristian Bataga (CSM Bistrita)
Andrei Munteanu (LPS/CSM Bistrita)
Andrei Ursache (CS Dinamo Bucuresti)
Ovidiu Buidoso (CSS Resita)
Vlad Cotuna (CSS1 Timisoara)

source: Prosport