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In the 2022/23 season, Portuguese basketball player Ines Matos Viana joined the MINSK women's team. At home, Ines played in the national teams U16, U18 and U20, played for the Swiss club “Elfic Fribourg” and the Belgian “Namur Capitale”. In our interview, Ines shared the story of her sports path.
– Tell us about your childhood, how did you come to basketball?
– I was born in Portugal, I can name the city, but no one will understand what I'm talking about (laughs) – San Juan de Madeira, it is located in the north of the country. I have an older brother, he is just like me, and like our dad is “obsessed" with sports. So the love of sports is our family. In my youth, I played soccer, did athletics, went to the pool, tried everything. But then my brother became very interested in basketball. And I, as a younger sister, really wanted to be like my older brother and repeated everything after him. So at the age of 7 I came to basketball and have stayed in it ever since.
– Did your parents immediately support your initiatives?
– My mom didn't understand anything about basketball, I can count on the fingers of one hand how many times she attended the games, although at first I played 7 minutes away from home. She could have just called and asked, "How are you"? “Are you all right”? The most important thing for her is that I am happy. But Dad attended all my games. Then, when I turned 14, I went to the sports center for national teams. Imagine, the coaches choose 12 of the most promising players, and you have to leave your home. So literally since I was 14, I haven't lived with my parents.
– When did you realize that basketball for you turned from a hobby into a profession?
– I think it happened when I got into the national team, at the age of 14. Before that, basketball was perceived as fun, a place where you can find friends. And only when I got into the national team did I realize that it was like from another reality, trips to European competitions, a completely different level.
– After Portugal, you played in clubs in Switzerland and Belgium. Tell us more about this experience.
– I played in Portugal for a very long time, although far from home, but in my own country, and somehow it was easier for me to see my family and friends. When I moved to Switzerland, the first noticeable difference for me was the weather. In other countries, except Portugal, where I played, it is sometimes rainy and snowy. As for basketball, I can't say that it is different. They look at you as a legionnaire, they perceive you differently, you have to show a good result. But at the same time, you're homesick for food, weather, friends. But this is my job, and my life. I'm working for my future.
– What are your impressions of your arrival in Belarus?
– Firstly, this club is wonderful. There is absolutely everything here: gym, 2 basketball courts, sauna, swimming pool. In other clubs, everything was in different locations, and we had to constantly move between them. Everything is gathered here in one place and I was very pleased with it. I previously knew a little about the club, I am familiar with the Belarusian Victoria Pankova, and the first thing I talked to her before coming to Minsk, she told me a lot of good things about the club, which turned out to be true (smiles). Therefore, I was more or less ready for my arrival.
— Can you share your expectations from the Belarusian competitions and what personal goals would you like to achieve here?
— Of course, when I move to play in another country, my main goal is to win the championship. And I hope that at the end of the season we will have two trophies – the Cup of Belarus and the title of champions of the country. If we consider my personal goal, it is the same. I am a team player, so if we win the championship, I will achieve my goal and be happy. It is difficult to judge yet, since the championship has just begun. We trained hard, practiced, found the right rhythm, so I'm looking forward to the next matches. The first preseason game was a bit difficult for me in terms of communication, but this is basketball – you don't need to talk a lot here, it's enough to know the basic terminology and learn how to interact.
— How quickly did you find a common language with the team?
— The first few weeks were difficult. I felt a little detached because I couldn't freely join in the dialogues and thought, “Oh my God, what i am going to do here.” But everyone is making efforts – my teammates, the coaching staff speak English, and those who do not really know the language, still try. I also try to learn Russian words, I know “thank you”, “please". Basic words that will come in handy even when going to the supermarket. The team treats me very well, so everything is fine. Dasha Magalyas and Zhenya Ignatenko – by the way, I call her “Jenny”, they really help me get used to it, they translate everything. So now we're all on the same page.
— What qualities, in your opinion, are important for teamwork in this sport?
— In my experience, it is very important how we interact with each other at the locker room, how we can communicate. Everything is good here in this regard, we have excellent team chemistry and this is transferred to the court. Another equally important thing is trust in each other. And if I trust my teammates, everything will work.
— Success is luck, or self-improvement?
– We in Portugal say that luck favors the prepared mind. Luck does not fall from heaven. You need to work hard. I came back after the injury. In difficult moments, sometimes I ask myself the question: “Why"? It's not about luck. We need to work to be successful, and not only in basketball. Everywhere I played, there were friends with whom I still communicate, and they came into my life thanks to basketball. I get feedback from basketball fans from different countries, it's very nice when you open Instagram, and there's a message from a child who watched my games in Switzerland. In every place where I play, I want to leave something of myself. Therefore, taking this opportunity, I want to note that I will be glad to see everyone at our games. I want to invite all the fans to every game, not just finals or Cup games, because this support is felt and important to us all the time. If you are free, come and enjoy the match, and we will play and try to win to make this game even more spectacular.
Blitz:
— Favorite player?
— Kobe.
— And among women?
— Mery Andrade – she played in the women's NBA, we played together for one season in Portugal, won the championship. Working with her was amazing.
— How do you like to spend your free time?
— If I am somewhere where there is a sea, I like to go to the beach. In Minsk, I like to cook, read, study online, and walk. Near my house there is a park with a river and ducks, I like to spend time there.
— Favorite basketball movie?
— “Coach Carter.”
— Favorite TV series?
— “Office".
— Favorite dish?
— This is the national Portuguese dish “bacalhau com natas”, prepared from fish.
— Do you remember what you spent your first earned money on?
— Yes, I bought myself sports shoes for basketball.
— Favorite book?
— There is no favorite, in general I like the crime genre. It's always interesting to find out in the end who turned out to be the “bad guy".
— What question would you like to answer, but no one asks you?
— Sometimes I ask myself – why am I doing all this, why am I moving so far from home? But I have an answer – this is my dream. I understand that I'm doing this for myself, so just go ahead.
– Describe your character in five words.
— I am a fighter, funny, stubborn, I am a true friend, and I am competitive in everything.
– Whom did I admire as a child?
— My parents, my brother. I can't name one person. I admired successful people who wanted to do something and did it.
— Do you have a motto for life?
— Nothing comes easy. But if we can dream about something, then we can do it. I think it's true, although sometimes it's difficult. And you need to enjoy life.