At the Women's World Basketball Championship, which kicked off on Tuesday in Brazil, today is the finals. No, no, there is no mistake here, although it seems implausible. Just today, in the city of Barueri, in the opinion of many, the future finalists of the championship will converge - the national teams of the USA and Brazil. On the eve of the meeting with the leader of our team, Svetlana Abrosimova, the correspondent of Izvestia Dmitry Sergeyev spoke.
Question: Is the tension before the match already in the air?
Answer: You know, it would be more likely to go out on the floor. We are already tortured to hear how great American women are. Whatever the conversation, "we are the goddess." ( Laughs ). Nothing, show them where the crayfish hibernate! True, there are also Australian women. They also have no doubt that they will be on the podium. However, let there be, only at the bottom step ...
Q : Aren't you afraid of judges? The Americans have recently failed the men's world championship and are unlikely to put up with the fact that they will have to remain without gold in Brazil.
about: Oh, don’t talk, I often think about it. It would be better if the US men's team won in Japan, because our team was not there anyway. Now they can "strangle us." In America, this is now generally a favorite topic: they say that the guys were left out of work, so the girls should answer for the country.
in: Speaking of America. Of the entire composition of the current Russian team, only in the summer did you spend a full season overseas. And in the “Minnesota” were the captain.
A: Hint of fatigue ?! Favorite question from journalists regarding me. ( Sighs ). But now I'm at the peak of form. A vacation is planned just after the World Cup. About a month and a half there will be a respite. True, I have not decided where to go. Here we win the gold, then I'll think about it.
Q: And there are times when you want to finish basketball at all?
A: Such thoughts arise in any athlete. But so far I have not played enough basketball. And is it really that the T-shirt of the national team is worse than the evening dress ?! Although, of course, any woman likes to show off in front of a mirror and try on secular outfits, which so far I rarely manage to wear ...
Q: You speak with such patriotism about playing for the national team. At the same time, they probably did not forget how you and the scandal were “unhooked” from the national team on the eve of the 2003 European Championship?
about: How do you forget this ?! Probably, a scar on my heart and ... resentment against Kapranov (at that time the coach of the Russian national team. - Izvestia ) will remain for life. He is an excellent coach, he does his job competently, but the way he did with me could not be done. At that moment I already gained experience, played in the NBA, showed good basketball, was at the Olympics and the World Championships, got into the national team from the age of 16 ... And suddenly I was late from dinner to the base and - bye. Honestly, at that moment I thought for a long time: is it even worth playing for the national team. For what? You are ready to die for the country, but they spit on you.
Q : Do you think being late was just a formal occasion?
A : What else can I think ?! Then there were seven more girls with me, and only me was expelled.
Q: What then really happened?
A: I didn’t want to delve into the dirty laundry then, I don’t want now. Many talked about my conflict with ex-center team Lena Baranova. But he wasn’t in sight!
Q: Now what is the atmosphere in the team?
A: Do not believe it - perfect. All the girls rallied together. Everyone dreams of one thing - the gold of the World Cup.
Q : The ideal atmosphere in the women's team? Something is hard to believe ...
about: Now, I say - do not believe it. In fact, we live almost like a family.
Q : Is this the merit of head coach Igor Grudin?
A: In many ways - his. He is a good person, he respects the players. And the trainer is competent.
Q : In Brazil, are you waiting for an American fan who follows you around the world?
about: ( laughs ) Because of these trips, he has already become a celebrity. I think that he will come this time too.
Q : At the same time, I personally observed how other men follow you in droves. Beauty is a terrible power ...
about: ( embarrassed ) Thanks. But, in my opinion, you flatter me. Autographs are taken after beautiful games, and palaces get clogged thanks to all the girls.
Q : By the way, from St. Petersburg, where are you from, is it expected to land in Brazil?
A: Watching how we will perform. It does not make sense to fly to the group stage - it’s too expensive, but it will be seen there. But I would really like to see my countrymen in the stands. I owe too much to this city. I will never forget how they took me very young to the 86th sports school. And just because I was the tallest girl in the class. And do not think that I immediately got into the sports class. As the trainer said: “You have too little talent” ... But I rested and decided to take my own due to hard work and perseverance. As a result, at the age of 14, she began to think about a professional career. Now I, like all the girls, will need perseverance again. You will see, this will be the main component of our victory.
Dmitry Sergeev