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Exceptional! I have not for an habit of to over-sell my small daily deliveries but this interview that b [Ana LELAS] b was kind enough to do me is simply exceptional. Her departure from Montpellier, her Euro with Croatia, her painful personal summer, her new life in Turkey and France: Ana agreed to deliver her feeling on all these subjects, between humor, seriousness and emotion. Her fans will be delighted: it is our most beautiful Christmas present !
• Do you still remember that victory in Coupe de France with BLMA and your last days in France in Montpellier?
Of course I remember ... These are the memories for life ... France is my 2nd home and I have to admit I loved living in Montpellier. I love sun, beach and of course I enjoyed playing basket-ball, which is the most important for me !
• Was it really impossible for you to stay?
It wasn't impossible. Montpellier wanted to keep me and I said no! I realized that I'm 30 years old and I want to try some other leagues ... But that was one of the reasons! I really liked the team we had and believed that we are going to win championship. So I was expecting that if we do that club will keep the same team, eventhough we knew Ed will stop playing but that wasn't the case ... It was sad for me because I thought we had good team / chemistry. But I guess it wasn't enough!
• 6 months after, have you some regrets about something you could have done in a different way?
No, I don't regret anything. Actually, this was the first summer that I was in situation I signed really late, but I thank God every day because time worked for me this summer ... I'm the one who makes decisions and I stick with them ... I guess everything happens for a reason!
• Let’s say few words about EuroBasketWomen. If you consider your national team, what is your feeling?
Hmm I definitely regret that one. I think we were not on our best level. This year was important for us to prove that we are good enough to play big tournaments with consistency, but I guess we failed ... We need to learn from it. I believe there's gonna be some changes so we should wait and see what future holds for us !
• And if you consider your personal performance?
My stats were ok, but it could be and should be better. Personal performance doesn't count for me when you loose. I love to win. I know we didn't give our best as a team so that hurts!
• Was Vero, your Team Attachée, a good one or the worst you’ve ever known in your career?
Ohh the worst one !!! I'm joking ... I loved to communicate with her bacause for everything she does she is passionate about it, especially our national team. She likes the girls and girls loved her. So it was perfect combination for us! I know she has been cheering for us since European Championship in Poland so it meant a lot to us , have someone to help us who is truly our fan! Hvala Vero ️
• If you think about the French national team, is that final silver medal a good result regarding Spain National team level or a huge deception regarding the fact that France hosted the tournament and so should probably win?
For me France was favorite and I think they should have won ! Spain came to this championship really motivated because last one they got disqualified in quarter finales (against Croatia!) so they knew they have a lot to prove . Finals is one game and pressure was on France for hosting it. So I guess Spain used it with all the adrenaline that they have to prove everyone that championship before was a mistake and they made it! I still think France has better team but I guess it wasn't their day!
• Have you been impressed by one particular player?
I didn't get to see a lot of games, but I will mentioned one who I'm proud of! It's Diandra... She is really talented. She had surgery, left Montpellier (which if I had to chose she would stay with us), had great season in Perpignan and came to national team and was one of the starters! I'm sure she is on the right way to be very good player, her mind is set right, she is hard worker and I wish her all best! I would like to play with her again!
• Which memory or which image, if there is only one, do you keep of this competition?
My favorite game was vs France ... Gym was full, and if I'm used to play in France, this time was different and special. I know French fans respect me and eventho I was on opposite side it didn't make any difference!
• Do you still remember that victory in Coupe de France with BLMA and your last days in France in Montpellier?
Of course I remember ... These are the memories for life ... France is my 2nd home and I have to admit I loved living in Montpellier. I love sun, beach and of course I enjoyed playing basket-ball, which is the most important for me !
• Was it really impossible for you to stay?
It wasn't impossible. Montpellier wanted to keep me and I said no! I realized that I'm 30 years old and I want to try some other leagues ... But that was one of the reasons! I really liked the team we had and believed that we are going to win championship. So I was expecting that if we do that club will keep the same team, eventhough we knew Ed will stop playing but that wasn't the case ... It was sad for me because I thought we had good team / chemistry. But I guess it wasn't enough!
• 6 months after, have you some regrets about something you could have done in a different way?
No, I don't regret anything. Actually, this was the first summer that I was in situation I signed really late, but I thank God every day because time worked for me this summer ... I'm the one who makes decisions and I stick with them ... I guess everything happens for a reason!
• Let’s say few words about EuroBasketWomen. If you consider your national team, what is your feeling?
Hmm I definitely regret that one. I think we were not on our best level. This year was important for us to prove that we are good enough to play big tournaments with consistency, but I guess we failed ... We need to learn from it. I believe there's gonna be some changes so we should wait and see what future holds for us !
• And if you consider your personal performance?
My stats were ok, but it could be and should be better. Personal performance doesn't count for me when you loose. I love to win. I know we didn't give our best as a team so that hurts!
• Was Vero, your Team Attachée, a good one or the worst you’ve ever known in your career?
Ohh the worst one !!! I'm joking ... I loved to communicate with her bacause for everything she does she is passionate about it, especially our national team. She likes the girls and girls loved her. So it was perfect combination for us! I know she has been cheering for us since European Championship in Poland so it meant a lot to us , have someone to help us who is truly our fan! Hvala Vero ️
• If you think about the French national team, is that final silver medal a good result regarding Spain National team level or a huge deception regarding the fact that France hosted the tournament and so should probably win?
For me France was favorite and I think they should have won ! Spain came to this championship really motivated because last one they got disqualified in quarter finales (against Croatia!) so they knew they have a lot to prove . Finals is one game and pressure was on France for hosting it. So I guess Spain used it with all the adrenaline that they have to prove everyone that championship before was a mistake and they made it! I still think France has better team but I guess it wasn't their day!
• Have you been impressed by one particular player?
I didn't get to see a lot of games, but I will mentioned one who I'm proud of! It's Diandra... She is really talented. She had surgery, left Montpellier (which if I had to chose she would stay with us), had great season in Perpignan and came to national team and was one of the starters! I'm sure she is on the right way to be very good player, her mind is set right, she is hard worker and I wish her all best! I would like to play with her again!
• Which memory or which image, if there is only one, do you keep of this competition?
My favorite game was vs France ... Gym was full, and if I'm used to play in France, this time was different and special. I know French fans respect me and eventho I was on opposite side it didn't make any difference!
Ana in Istanbul (Ana's personal picture)
• After that, you have had a very hard summer…
Ugh yeah ... The hardest summer ever! But I'm thankful to God that I got to spend last 2 months with my dad be4 he passed away. I would never change that time for anything else in My life! For me family is everything. And eventho it was and it's still hard, it made my family even stronger !
• How do you feel now?
I have good add bad days but faith in God is what keeps me strong. I know my dad doesn't want me to be sad and I had to move on with my life , but in every step I take he is with me and gives me strenght! Basketball keeps me busy and that's what I love and he loved it too , so I wud say I'm playing for him now because I know he is watching me:)
• In what way have you perhaps changed?
Life is really short and you never know what tomorrow will bring us ... I witnessed how illness can destroy you, destroy your body. And you're helpless ! I'm happy that my parents raised me the way they did so I appreciate small things in life. But after loss I have changed a lot about looking at life differently and not stressing about stuff you can't change or control. It can always get worse, I was always positive, now I've been even more!
• Was it difficult to return to basketball or in a contrary was it a good way to change your ideas?
Timing was perfect for me, when that happened I didn't have a team n I wasn't thinking about basketball at all. Even if I had team I wouldn't be able to leave my family, especially my mom. So I stayed at home, was patiently waiting but at the same time hoping that offer doesn't come right away... So I ended up signing in Turkey end of September and I came here October 5th! I needed basketball to vent it out but I knew it's gonna be hard for me to leave . But my mom told : " Ana you have to move on with your life and keep doing what you love; it's easy to give up but nothing will bring him back" So I always keep that on my mind !
• Have you thought to play in Croatia to stay at home?
Actually I practiced with Sibenik n thought maybe to help them till I find a team but I was scared if people see that I signed there they will think that i want to play there the whole season , so it was kinda tricky and I didn't want to do it!
• You took a long time before to sign in Turkey. Was it because of your personal situation or because you didn’t really know where you will be playing?
I was waiting , my agent had contacts with few teams but nothing officially came up. Then there was option to play for one EuroLeague team but only EuroLeague and they wanted me to wait.., and Mersin came up with offer and I decided to sign with them !
• Did you thought at least once not to play for a while?
That crossed my mind but I know myself! I though if I stop it will be until Chrsitmas break, but I know how much I love basketball that I wudn't be able to do it for a long time.
• I think you never played in Turkey before. How is it?
I like Turkey so far! It is different than France but I like It too. People r really nice, they want to help you. Team is taking good care of us so I have no complaints about Turkey but everyone experiance is different!
• Can you tell us to which club in France Mersin could be compared?
Hmm it's hard. Last year when we played Botas we beat them twice but we didn't kill them and they were doing bad in league ... So I guess depends but for sure our team is really young: I'm the oldest one! We definitely miss some experienced Turkish players but at the same time coach likes to develop young players ! And it's only 3 foreigners on the court so we lost few games that we shouldnt just because we miss consistency in the game!
• What is the most surprising thing for you since your arrival?
It's not physical basketball like in France , n I think French league is harder!
• Did you already had time to travel a little bit to discover the country?
Not really. I just went to Istanbul one weekend to see my old teammate Iva Perovanovic but I want to come back and visit more because Istanbul is so pretty!!! I love it!
Ugh yeah ... The hardest summer ever! But I'm thankful to God that I got to spend last 2 months with my dad be4 he passed away. I would never change that time for anything else in My life! For me family is everything. And eventho it was and it's still hard, it made my family even stronger !
• How do you feel now?
I have good add bad days but faith in God is what keeps me strong. I know my dad doesn't want me to be sad and I had to move on with my life , but in every step I take he is with me and gives me strenght! Basketball keeps me busy and that's what I love and he loved it too , so I wud say I'm playing for him now because I know he is watching me:)
• In what way have you perhaps changed?
Life is really short and you never know what tomorrow will bring us ... I witnessed how illness can destroy you, destroy your body. And you're helpless ! I'm happy that my parents raised me the way they did so I appreciate small things in life. But after loss I have changed a lot about looking at life differently and not stressing about stuff you can't change or control. It can always get worse, I was always positive, now I've been even more!
• Was it difficult to return to basketball or in a contrary was it a good way to change your ideas?
Timing was perfect for me, when that happened I didn't have a team n I wasn't thinking about basketball at all. Even if I had team I wouldn't be able to leave my family, especially my mom. So I stayed at home, was patiently waiting but at the same time hoping that offer doesn't come right away... So I ended up signing in Turkey end of September and I came here October 5th! I needed basketball to vent it out but I knew it's gonna be hard for me to leave . But my mom told : " Ana you have to move on with your life and keep doing what you love; it's easy to give up but nothing will bring him back" So I always keep that on my mind !
• Have you thought to play in Croatia to stay at home?
Actually I practiced with Sibenik n thought maybe to help them till I find a team but I was scared if people see that I signed there they will think that i want to play there the whole season , so it was kinda tricky and I didn't want to do it!
• You took a long time before to sign in Turkey. Was it because of your personal situation or because you didn’t really know where you will be playing?
I was waiting , my agent had contacts with few teams but nothing officially came up. Then there was option to play for one EuroLeague team but only EuroLeague and they wanted me to wait.., and Mersin came up with offer and I decided to sign with them !
• Did you thought at least once not to play for a while?
That crossed my mind but I know myself! I though if I stop it will be until Chrsitmas break, but I know how much I love basketball that I wudn't be able to do it for a long time.
• I think you never played in Turkey before. How is it?
I like Turkey so far! It is different than France but I like It too. People r really nice, they want to help you. Team is taking good care of us so I have no complaints about Turkey but everyone experiance is different!
• Can you tell us to which club in France Mersin could be compared?
Hmm it's hard. Last year when we played Botas we beat them twice but we didn't kill them and they were doing bad in league ... So I guess depends but for sure our team is really young: I'm the oldest one! We definitely miss some experienced Turkish players but at the same time coach likes to develop young players ! And it's only 3 foreigners on the court so we lost few games that we shouldnt just because we miss consistency in the game!
• What is the most surprising thing for you since your arrival?
It's not physical basketball like in France , n I think French league is harder!
• Did you already had time to travel a little bit to discover the country?
Not really. I just went to Istanbul one weekend to see my old teammate Iva Perovanovic but I want to come back and visit more because Istanbul is so pretty!!! I love it!
Ana playing for Mersin
• You played something like 10 years in France. Whath is your best memory?
It's hard to chose one best memory. From every team I took the best memories, either it's winning the title or meeting friends, great fans etc ... But my favorites are winning the championship with Bourges and winning French cup with Montpellier!
• You also are now French. Is it something important for you or not?
I spent nine years in France and its really my 2nd home where I feel the most comfortable. I love living in France. How it would be living without basketball i don't know yet but all these years I spent there I loved it!
• Do you think you will play again in France one day?
I hope I will ... I have never closed doors to France, I just wanted to try something different!
• What misses you most of all from France?
Hmmm a lot of things hahah ... I miss my friends, food, wine, good restaurants ... I can't say beach and sun because I'm living on the beach and now middle of December it's 16/17 degrees during the day ! But missing all these things doesn't mean I don't like Turkey because I do!
• And who?
My friends who I will have for a life ...
• After your basketball career, do you already know where you will go and stay for a while: Croatia? France? Somewhere else?
It's too far from now ,n I don't have any plans right now but I hope I will have few options when that day comes! Till then I'm trying to live step by step!
• On the 1st of July, Croatia has been admitted in the European Community. Is it important for you?
Not really... Crisis is everywhere and I prefer they were spending more money to help people who need our help than on politicians and elections ! Honestly I don't like politics n I'm trying to stay far away from it!
• On peut encore parler en français avec toi, Ana?
Oui bien sur !!! :)))
• Ana, I let you end that interview...
I want to thank you for this interview. I hope you know how much it means to me that people asking how am I doing eventho I left France !!! Merci beaucoup !!!
Thank you so much, Ana for that magnificent gift. This is nothing else to say that you always will be welcomed here and that we will be a lot to follow you in your new life... Take care of you!
> For french version, please follow the link...
It's hard to chose one best memory. From every team I took the best memories, either it's winning the title or meeting friends, great fans etc ... But my favorites are winning the championship with Bourges and winning French cup with Montpellier!
• You also are now French. Is it something important for you or not?
I spent nine years in France and its really my 2nd home where I feel the most comfortable. I love living in France. How it would be living without basketball i don't know yet but all these years I spent there I loved it!
• Do you think you will play again in France one day?
I hope I will ... I have never closed doors to France, I just wanted to try something different!
• What misses you most of all from France?
Hmmm a lot of things hahah ... I miss my friends, food, wine, good restaurants ... I can't say beach and sun because I'm living on the beach and now middle of December it's 16/17 degrees during the day ! But missing all these things doesn't mean I don't like Turkey because I do!
• And who?
My friends who I will have for a life ...
• After your basketball career, do you already know where you will go and stay for a while: Croatia? France? Somewhere else?
It's too far from now ,n I don't have any plans right now but I hope I will have few options when that day comes! Till then I'm trying to live step by step!
• On the 1st of July, Croatia has been admitted in the European Community. Is it important for you?
Not really... Crisis is everywhere and I prefer they were spending more money to help people who need our help than on politicians and elections ! Honestly I don't like politics n I'm trying to stay far away from it!
• On peut encore parler en français avec toi, Ana?
Oui bien sur !!! :)))
• Ana, I let you end that interview...
I want to thank you for this interview. I hope you know how much it means to me that people asking how am I doing eventho I left France !!! Merci beaucoup !!!
Thank you so much, Ana for that magnificent gift. This is nothing else to say that you always will be welcomed here and that we will be a lot to follow you in your new life... Take care of you!
> For french version, please follow the link...
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