Movistar Estudiantes returns to the fray in the Endesa Women’s League. The college girls, in their third season in a row in the elite, andThey premiere the course in the Santiago Martín pavilion against Tenerife (20:30 peninsular time, Canal FEB) with new coach, David Gallego. The man from Madrid (1984) replaces the great Alberto Ortego after 15 years at the club, the last five as Ortego’s assistant, who has left the bench to focus solely on the functions of technical secretary.
Gallego faces the tough challenge of maintaining the lofty level shown by the Women in Black the last two seasons: two participations in the Copa de la Reina and in the playoff for the title. And the first ever presence in European competition, in the Eurocup, where the women from Ramirez will be present again this year.
And all that, with a profound reconstruction of the squad, which will feature seven new faces: Lindsey Pulliam, María Eraunzetamurgil, Laura Méndez, Aleksy Mollenhauer and the Massey sisters, Becky and Billie, who joined the rest of their new teammates this Tuesday after playing the World Cup in Australia with Belgium, and the youth squad Paula Saravia.
Among the veterans, European U-20 gold medalist Begoña de Santiago, captain María Espín, point guard Melisa Gretter, center Nadia Fingall and power forward Itsaso Conde (1.85m, 1996, Vitoria-Gasteiz), who attended AS before starting the domestic tournament.
Are you excited to start the season?
Many, many.
What does Movistar Estudiantes expect from the season?
It is a new challenge, with a practically new team. We return to the Eurocup, which we did very well last year. We are very excited and excited. The group is quite cool, different from last season, with a very different style. We are doing things right, going the right way and little things are being seen. It is going to be very fun.
Does one get used to so many changes in the squad from one year to the next?
I speak for myself: I have been in different and many teams and in the end between when you go to another club, you stay in this one and new faces come… Well, it is part of the basketball process. You have to try to make it as easy as possible for new recruits. And they are for the job. They are very keen too. A very good attitude and that makes things easier.
That is, the core of this season is good.
Yes, the truth is yes. They are all very young and they really want to work. Everyone has a very good attitude. The trainings are coming out, in the matches we are meeting. We have two additions left (the Massey sisters) that will arrive soon, very close to starting the Women’s League. We will help them as much as possible so that they arrive at their best at the beginning of the season.
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Change of coach, from Alberto Ortego to David Gallego, and a change in the game, I imagine.
Yes. Yes, it is true that David was already on the team last year and there are things that are similar, but I think the style of the players has changed a lot. We all have a defined role, we each know what we have to do and contribute and that is something we all have to do. The moment one fails… It cannot be allowed. We have to go little by little putting our grain of sand all, the twelve players.
You return to the Eurocup.
Last year it was a bit of a novelty. He had never played in Europe. Neither does the club. This year we go with a little more experience. It is true that it is hard: double competition with trips… But all that is worth it. I hope it goes like last year because we ended up very happy. We are very excited.
Movistar Estudiantes has had two very good years. How do you get that stability in a championship as tough as the Endesa Women’s League?
What they try to instill in us is the fight. Our whole team starts with defense and then comes the attack. You can have a better day and a worse day, but there are essential things: defense, rebounding… If you start from there, everything else will follow.
And you, what do you expect from the season?
Above all, that they respect our injuries. I am going to continue working as much as possible to get more minutes. Enjoy and learn.
A message to the fans…
It never fails us. We need all your support so that together we can achieve the best possible results.