Fifty-six-year-old Sergey Shlyapnikov took over Russia’s men’s national team from Vladimir Alekno this year, after having led a Russian team to a bronze medal at the Baku 2015 European Games. He is credited with creating the club of Neftyanik Novo-Yaroslavl, whose team in the top Russian League he captained, coached and then presided over. After wrapping up his playing career in 1997, he successfully coached youth and junior national teams of Russia, leading them to numerous medals in world and European championships. At club level he has also coached the teams of Fakel Novy Urengoy and Dinamo Krasnodar in the Russian Superleague.