Belyakova and Russia on the rise
EKATERINBURG (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers)- Russia captain Evgenia Belyakova has had quite an 18 months since the moment she endured the pain of knowing she would miss Rio 2016.
EKATERINBURG (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers)- Russia national team captain Evgenia Belyakova has had quite an 18 months since the moment she endured the pain of knowing she was destined to miss out on the Rio Olympics.
It happened in agonising fashion at EuroBasket Women 2015 as Russia were edged out in a nail-biter against Turkey in Budapest. It led to a change in coach, with Belyakova’s former head coach at Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje in Alexander Vasin picking up the reins and turning the page for Russia.
With an array of fabulous young-guns alongside the considerable know-how of Belyakova, Russia look set to make it safely to EuroBasket Women Final Round next year in Czech Republic as they are currently sat pretty with a flawless 4-0 record in Group F.
From the stomach-churning low-ebb of that disappointing night in the Hungarian capital, the guard now finds herself a champion at club level on both sides of the Atlantic.
Perfectly epitomising how the tide of fortune can quickly swing back in the direction of a pro-athlete, Belyakova won the EuroLeague Women 2016 title in Istanbul with UMMC Ekaterinburg; prior to being crowned a WNBA winner with the Los Angeles Sparks recently, as she became only the fourth Russian ever to have achieved the feat Stateside.
It's just the kind of winning mentality and experience that Belyakova is now keen to translate to international level as she bids to play a bigger role than ever in trying to make Russia great again.
"It's important that everyone has started to think like winners and we realise that we have come a long way," she mused.
"We need to continue winning and in this regard, we trust the coach. But every player of the team must prepare mentally and physically for each game.
"We need to qualify for EuroBasket Women 2017 to take a medal there, then to go further to the FIBA Women’s World Cup and win medals there – as well as getting to the next Olympics and performing with dignity.
"It is time to return the winning tradition of the team," continued a determined Belyakova.
"Time is running out [for me], and I do not feel I have fulfilled a duty to Russia. I want this winning mood to be conveyed in all the players and I am really looking forward to this next stage of work with the team."
Belyakova and Russia face Switzerland and Greece on home soil in the last Qualifying window later this month.
FIBA