Interview with Dina Ulyanova, basketball player of the Azerbaijani national team, to Idman.biz
- Today, the qualifying stage of the 3x3 Basketball World Cup in Baku starts. How long has the preparation for the qualifying games, which will be held in our country for the first time, been? How ready is our team for such a responsible tournament?
- We spent half of the preparation period in Baku. We had intensive training in basketball and gyms, and also carried out additional individual training. Then we came to Sea Breeze, where the matches were held, to adapt and train on the 3x3 court. Currently, our team is in excellent shape and is ready to show good results.
- Our national team will face Egypt and Latvia in Group B. How do you assess the opponents?
- We cannot underestimate the opponent. All the teams invited to the tournament must fight decently. I am sure that there will be interesting games.
- Our national team will play this important tournament at home. Do you think the support of home fans is an advantage or an additional responsibility?
- For me personally, of course, it is an additional responsibility. But at the same time, it is the support of our valuable fans. I would like to play a great game so that they are proud of us.
- There have been changes in the squad that participated in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics last year and is well known to the fans. How do you assess the arrival of new national team players Brianna Fraser and Arica Carter? How does the current squad differ from the previous one?
- With this squad, we successfully performed in the Neftchi squad two years ago. We are very happy to be reunited. The girls have had great seasons in high-level teams, have become more experienced players. This is also very important for us. Most importantly, everyone is focused on the fight for a place.
- It is clear that our national team's goal is to qualify for the World Cup. So, which teams do you see as the main competitors? What does our team need to achieve its goal?
- I think that the main competitor is ourselves. Motivation, proper tuning, support for each other and the support of the fans are important. The most important thing is to overcome our emotions and calmly move towards the goal.
- Immediately after the qualifying stage, the Baku stage of the Women's Series will take place. Will it be difficult to play for four days in a row? What are the goals and plans for this tournament?
- Perhaps two tournaments in a row will be physically difficult. But for us, the season is starting now. Therefore, we have full strength and energy. We will try to give our full strength and have a good rest in the break between games. We are in the pursuit of victory in every tournament, we want to win. This competition is no exception.
Vugar Kheyrullayev
Idman.biz
