Gisela Vega Wants To Leave Her Mark In France Too

After two years being the MVP of the Liga Femenina 2 in Spain, Gisela thought that was the time to try new experiences, instead of remaining comfortable being an MVP or a go to player in the Spanish league

After a brief adventure in Mozambique’s league last summer, the “La ciudad de los poetas” native (Gualeyguachú, in Argentina) she decided to play in the french league, specifically for Tarbes, ready to spare no effort to finally succeed in France as she previously did in Spain

We talked with her about that decision and the possibility of becoming MVP of the french league during the Basket And The City 3 hosted last weekend in Paris, where her new team got an impressive victory

LOK@S: How did you decide to come and play in France, Gisela?

Gisela: My agent throw me the idea of the Ligue Femenine and it was something motivating because I’d play the EuroCup and the Ligue Femenin. Two leagues at the same time, and I thought that were two things which would make me progress a lot and level to first level players, however it’s out of Spain. I hope that at the endo of the year I can tell you that (This experience) has helped me, but I think I’m on the right path because the level is really good, you practice so much, you play so much, and that’s what I wanted

LOK@S: What do you think about the experience so far?

Gisela: Actually really good. I’m happy with the club that signed me, is a small town, it’s all that I like… the club is like a big family… Actually since I arrived everybody has been paying attention to me and trying to help me because of the language, but I’m beginning to slowly understand more things, the people tries to tell me things in spanish so I can understand more things and I’m really happy because the club trusting me a 100%, the coach… everybody, and that makes me be happy and being still here.

LOK@S: How is your French then? Bad?

Gisela: No, no, no! It’s ok. I studied before coming, after coming back from África, a little, you can’t learn much (In such a short time) but I’m learning to speak good enough, at least the words you use the most

LOK@S: Is it very different from Spain?

Gisela: It’s different, but in the end is basketball, it’s the same ball… but it’s different because the players are really professionals. We have young players who practice even more than the pros.Both leagues are pretty similar

The thing that helps the least it’s the language, the coach speaks in French or in English, because you sometimes misunderstand, but you try to do the best way through

LOK@S: After being a go-to player in all the teams that you had played in Spain, what’s going to be your role in the team?

Gisela: From the beginning I know that my role in the team wouldn’t be the same thatI had in the last six years in Spain. Is different but I work hard on every practise and nobody is going to bring me down. I trust my work, my responsibility, and look, it’s the first game and I’ve been a starter, in the friendlies I’ve been starter or the sixth man. I believe that the coach has put his trust into me too, no matter if I have two foreign players before me, but he has showed me that he has no doubt on putting me in, and that makes me work hard day after day.

LOK@S: Which are the team’s goals?

Gisela: We want to be in the first spots for sure, and then… it’s more difficult, but…

LOK@S: And what about your goals?

Gisela: Getting court time and the coach and teammates confidence, because in short we still don’t know each other, we’re all newcomers and it’s also difficult, but little by little I’ll practice to deserve the confidence the coach’s confidence, keep on this way, hard, and well, at least getting court time. Then the attitude and the desire, I’m always going to have that, and that’s the most important thing

LOK@S: Do you think Argentina has any chances to reach the Olympics?

Gisela: They want to, but they have to qualify and it’s really hard

LOK@S: Could you see Argentina at the U19 Worlds?

Gisela: No, no. I think that was when I was in África…

LOK@S: What were you doing in África?

Gisela: I went there to reinforce a team, for one month. I was in Mozambique.

LOK@S: You were in Mozambique!!! And how was the experience?

Gisela: Great! I was there with Andrea Csaszar, who plays in Calais, and a Hungarian girl, two meters tall. I was truly great. First time people told me: “You’re crazy, crazy,” Well, at the moment, the first days I thought I was, but after seeing and meeting people there, the experience was grandiose and next year I’d go there again, and I believe the team wants it too, so I’ll likely get back.

LOK@S: And how did you get the chance?

Gisela: Well, I was about ot reinforce a team in southamerica to keep myself fit during the holidays, but it was cancelled and my agent knew that I wanted to go there and play and that the idea was cancelled and he told me; “we got this proposal if you want it, and I went to África. It all was like that, really quickly. I had to decide in fourt days… and I don’t repent. I’d do that again.

LOK@S: Adrián (Her husband) was in Mozambique too?How is he dealing so much travelling?

Gisela: No, no. He and me, because its really hard, but he comes on Wednesday, so I’m happy. Waiting for him

LOK@S: Do you see yourself being the french league MVP?

Gisela: No, no, no. You’ve got to go for more little goals. This year is really new for me overall, at a personal level, language level, sports level… even more after six years in Spain that were great for me. It’s all a resounding change so I’m going after little goals; getting court time, have fun, earn coach’s confidence… and next year, if I come back, I’ll establish bigger goals for myself, and so on, little by litte

Confidence it’s actually the secret for me, and I hope that will help me.

LOK@S: Thanks a lot Gisela for sparing us again a few minutes and pay the kindest attention to us, as usual. We wish you the best of lucks in this new adventure. Let us see if you claim the MVP award here too

Gisela: Thank you and give kindest regards to Virginia and all the Spanish people who I miss so much.

MIQUEL BORDOY CANO

LOKOS X EL BALONCESTO FEMENINO