MADRID, 30 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish player Sandra Ygueravide is clear that 3×3 basketball has “helped her a lot to evolve technically as a player”, and that she is “proud” of the visibility that she and her teammates have had in this modality after this summer, in who have been proclaimed European champions and have won the silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games, and wished to be able to continue with that “sensation” in their 5×5 team, Spar Girona.
“I have always said that 3×3 has helped me a lot to grow as a player, to evolve technically. I have been a better player in 5×5 thanks to 3×3 as well. I think that in the case of Juana (Camilión), Alba (Prieto) or Ceci (Muhate), who are the youngest, can surely help them for their future,” declared Sandra Ygueravide in an interview with Europa Press after the presentation of the new season of the Endesa Women’s League.
The base considers it “very nice” to be able to enter the pavilions and be applauded for their success in the Games with 3×3. “It has already happened to me in preseason and it is nice that they recognize you and that they have followed the 3×3 a lot this summer. It is something that I wanted, for people to know what we have been enjoying for so many years, which was important,” she highlighted.
On the other hand, the Valencian celebrates that steps are being taken towards the professionalization of the league with the signing of the collective agreement last year, but demands more progress. “For us it is true that steps are being taken, but, being demanding, they are small. They are small things that make women’s basketball continue to grow, and in this case the 3×3 this summer has had that visibility,” she explained.
She asks that “this does not stop here”, and that “we continue to support and give everything that is needed so that basketball in general continues to grow”, while pointing out that “the teams are much more competitive” with respect to the at which time he left Spain in the 2013-14 season, when the late Ros Casares dominated the national scene.
“Now there is perhaps not so much difference between the teams at the top and those at the bottom. I remember before leaving Spain that there was a lot of difference between what Ros Casares was and the teams that were fighting not to be relegated. Right now it is the opposite, It is a supercompetitive league and everyone is making well-compensated teams with a lot of work behind them,” he highlighted.
On a personal level, she is “very eager” to face this new campaign that “is going to be very long.” “After the summer, when I had a great time and I enjoyed it a lot, I would like to continue with this feeling,” he expressed, aware that during the year “a lot of things happen,” although he is clear that his goal is to “enjoy it a different way than other seasons have been.
“ANOTHER WAY TO COMPETE” TO GET CLOSER TO THE CURRENT FAVORITES IN LF
“I want to continue a little with the joy of 3×3 and keep it in 5×5, to transmit it to the rest of the team,” said the basketball player, who does not hide that the last few years have been “complicated” for the Catalan team. “The last one we thought that maybe it was going to go a little better and it didn’t go the way we wanted either,” lamented Ygueravide, who wants to “create a block so that the future in Girona is what is intended” and they can fight for the titles again.
However, he asks “to go little by little, being aware that all the teams are getting stronger and that they are all growing too.” “But we have to take those steps so that what we want is a reality,” he remarked, emphasizing “the evolution and growth” of clubs that have a men’s project such as Valencia Basket or Casademont Zaragoza, which are fighting for titles with the team. Girona and Perfumerías Avenida.
For her, these are clubs “with a greater economic capacity in many ways”, which is why she asks “to look for other ways to compete against them.” “You can’t keep thinking that you’re not going to get there, but look for ways to reach their level with perhaps somewhat fewer resources,” he said.
In this objective of returning to the top at the national and international level, one way to play in the Euroleague is through the Eurocup. The veteran player believes that they must “go little by little with their feet on the ground”, but being aware that they can “compete and beat” anyone. “What the club wants and what it desires is to be in the Euroleague, and I hope that the Eurocup path makes it a little easier for us in that sense,” he indicated.
The Spaniard regretted that last year they were left “at the doorstep” in the European competition, when they reached the semi-finals in a year that “was not good”, and also highlighted that “it is not easy to play in Europe and be in two such competitions.” demanding competitions such as the Eurocup and the LF Endesa”.
“It is important that the club continues to grow in that sense, that it continues to compete at the highest level, and hopefully it can be competing at the top for titles and returning to play in the Euroleague in a short period of time,” said the game director, who wants to ” enjoy” this year, -her last year of her contract with Girona-, without thinking about her future, although knowing that her time in 5×5 basketball “is closer to ending than continuing.” “I have this year left on my contract and we’ll see what happens next,” he noted, confirming that the 3×3, after what happened this summer, “it is difficult for it to end.”