Movistar Estudiantes will face Valencia Basket this Thursday (6:00 p.m., Tdp) in the quarterfinals of the fourth Copa de la Reina in its history, the third in a row. Her chances of qualifying go through Argentina’s Melisa Gretter (Rafaela, Santa Fe, 1993 and 1.66 m). The point guard, leader of a team she joined in 2020, is the best passer in the Endesa Women’s League (5.7 assists per game) this season.
The Queen’s Cup arrives. Illusion or tension?
More illusion to be back in a Copa de la Reina again. We are privileged to be able to enjoy it for another year and to compete against great teams: there are many who want to be here. Ours is more than anything to enjoy being there.
Despite the fact that they have been there for three years in a row, it is not easy to be in this tournament, there is a lot of work behind it.
Obvious. This year our classification was quite suffered. This season the League is very even. Anyone could have been in the top eight. Based on work we were able to achieve it. We are very happy to have achieved that goal. We are going to enjoy, but also to compete and try to find victories. And, why not, get excited about passing.
They have Valencia, a difficult rival. What do you fear most from your rival?
It is a very tough opponent, a Euroleague team. We know who we are going to face, but we showed in the League that we can stand up to them. We have to focus on our game, try to do what our coaching staff is going to propose for the game. We know that we have to be concentrated for 40 minutes.
They have reaped, in the last three days, two good victories against Casademont Zaragoza and Perfumerías Avenida, I imagine that will motivate them for the quarterfinals…
Yes, but each match is a new match. We have to trust. We beat two great teams, but the week before we lost to Ensino. That means every game is different. We have and need to be focused for 40 minutes against Valencia, a very strong rival. We must trust that we can. We have a young team, yes, but one that can stand up to any rival. We must trust our potential and play as a team.
The Cup is in Zaragoza, where you enjoyed your first stage in the Endesa Women’s League, you will keep good memories, right?
The best memories. It was my first time out of Argentina, with a partner, Gisela Vega, who opened all the doors for me. Whenever I go to Zaragoza I receive a lot of love. People remember me and I have beautiful moments there. I am happy that the Queen’s Cup is there.
Did that jump from Argentina to Zaragoza scare you?
Yes of course. She didn’t know. She knew that the League was strong here. I was going to be far, far away from my family. Of course, of course, I was a little afraid of everything, not only of what basketball is, but of life here, of missing. But hey, Gisela Vega’s company was very important to me at that stage.
After Zaragoza, he goes to Brazil, what does that country give him, his basketball?
Confidence in my work, certainty that I was doing things right. Maturity, a lot of maturity as a player and as a person. I grew a lot, I learned a lot from my five years in Brazil and I think it helped me a lot to be able to be here again, in this Endesa League, to which I was very excited to return.
What does Movistar Estudiantes give you?
It gives me confidence and security. I told Alberto Ortego, who was the one who brought me to Estudiantes, that he trusted me without knowing me, knowing that he was an Argentine player without a passport, that he trusted me as a foreigner. I will always thank you for having opened the doors of Estudiantes for me and for having trusted me. He has given me the opportunity to once again enjoy being in this League, to which I always dreamed of returning.
And you, what do you give Movistar Estudiantes?
Claw, heart and sense of belonging. During these three years I committed to the club. From the first day, when they opened the door for me, I came here and gave my full potential. I think I’m showing it day after day: professionalism, hard work, dedication in every game regardless of the results.
Do you feel like a team leader?
Yes. They opened (the door for) me to have that leadership in the team, the confidence. I am happy to be a leader, to be able to transmit all my values and everything I feel for this sport and for what I do and for the club. So happy for the moment that touches me.
He doesn’t mind being a leader…
No no. Being a leader in the team and having the team trust you is very important and I feel good about that part.
Do young women ask you for advice?
Yes, sometimes there are younger people who ask about the work you do, how you got here, and that’s gratifying. It is an internal happiness that such small children see themselves reflected in one many times and want to do things that one does in order to achieve their dreams.
Who would you like to be like? Who is your idol?
I want to be my best version, I want to be the best Melisa Gretter and I think I’m working on that. Obviously one looks at or looks for things to continue improving in other players. In one case I try to see players in my position, try to get things out and then bring them to my role. I see a lot what Facundo Campazzo is. For me Manu Ginóbili is my idol and in the women’s I feel identified and Marcela Pauleta has always been my idol: when I was in the national team I had the pleasure of being able to share a team with her.
How is women’s basketball in Argentina?
It is not professional and I believe that an important leap must be made in that aspect. Work is being done, but there are many things missing for that to be achieved and I think that the players also have to do our part. But I think that the leadership has to trust and believe that women’s basketball must also be professional: we work the same as the boys, so to speak.
How excited would you be in Paris 2024?
It is the dream. It is the dream that every player has and that Argentine women’s basketball especially wants to achieve. We know it’s hard to get there. But even so and everything, we continue working because we want to achieve it. If we are not the ‘oldest’ of the team that those who come down continue fighting to achieve that classification that would be something incredible for the country.