Marisa Pangalos has been living a new experience in Sweden for the past month, representing Uppsala Basket and the Cyprus Women's National Basketball Team. With a career that has spanned Greece, Italy, Australia and Germany, she speaks to our radio about her new challenge in Scandinavia, the importance of Cyprus' participation in the EuroBasket qualifiers, but also about her own project, the HER Game, which aims to empower and develop young female athletes.
What are your impressions of Sweden?
I haven't seen much yet, but I really like the experience. It's very different living in Scandinavia; everything works at a different pace and with a different mentality. It's something new that excites me.
How did the collaboration with Uppsala Basket come about?
Through various suggestions I had, I decided that the best one was Sweden.
Uppsala Basket is a well-known team in Sweden. What did you know before you came?
I didn't know enough, but I noticed that it is a dynamic team that shows very good organization. I am happy to be a member of this team and have the opportunity to help as much as possible.What impressions did the city of Uppsala leave on you?
For now I can say positive things. The team has welcomed me in the best way. People are welcoming and smiling. The team is doing well and we have shown a friendly but also professional spirit from the beginning. All positive.
Having played Greece, Italy, Australia, Germany and now Sweden — how would you compare the leagues to Scandinavia?
Each country has its own philosophy and style of play. Organization and safety play a role. In Greece the game is more dynamic, here it is more free and the pace is quite fast I would say.
Wherever you play, you have to adapt to the game and the mentality of each team.
Goals with Uppsala Basket?
To be in the Top 3. So far we're doing well. We have 4×4.
The facilities?
Awesome! We have it all!
The Cyprus women's national basketball team managed to reach the EuroBasket qualifiers for the first time. Will you play?
I am very proud of us! This means a lot for Cyprus.
The goal is to perform decently and live the EuroBasket experience to the fullest. We will grow through this.
What factors influenced us to get here?
We have been working together and patiently in recent years. We won our first gold medal at the FIBA Small Countries Games and became more competitive. We also won 2 silver medals at the AMKE (Small Countries Games of Europe). All of this brought us to the next level, to the qualifiers.
Does success give the women's national team a future?
It certainly gives something very important. It gives us motivation to continue our effort and remain competitive in the EuroBasket qualifiers. The goal would be to be able to maintain our participation in the EuroBasket qualifiers and continue to develop every year. At the same time, more steps need to be taken in the younger age groups, so that young girls have opportunities, are inspired and can one day compete in the national team.
The women's championship in Cyprus?
Unfortunately it's not at the level it should be. Right now there are 4–5 teams, but the league is not stable and there is no long-term plan.
Many young female athletes stop playing basketball when they go to college, as there is no motivation to continue playing. Also, when they finish their studies, it is difficult to return to basketball, and this has become a problem because there are no players. Even good players are forced to stop playing basketball.
Where do you think the problem lies? In the teams or in the federation?
I can't say where the problem is. I think as a system we need to sit down and see how we can get better because from the U14s to the women's team there are quite a few gaps.
You are a leader with Pilakouta. How does it feel to represent the national emblem?
It is the greatest honor for any athlete to be in the National Team, let alone as a captain. If you had asked me 10 years ago, I wouldn't have believed it because I fought for several years to get into the National Team because, as I said, there were no National Teams in previous years. It is a huge honor for me.
A few years ago, you also started a platform called HER Game. What is the goal of this platform?
Yes exactly. About 2 years ago I started a project called HER GAME, in which the goal was from the beginning to give importance to women's basketball. Initially, the platform was launched in Cyprus with the aim of expanding to Europe. We started with 2 Camps which went very well. We want to evolve and show the way to girls who seriously want to get involved in basketball and that is why now the platform is also in Sweden where girls of various ages can contact our website to book training sessions.
The training sessions are conducted under my guidance. The program focuses on skills such as ball handling, shooting and reading the game, within a friendly and supportive environment. There are three levels of training:
- Beginner (8–12 years old): Emphasis on the basic foundations of the game.
- Intermediate (13–15 years old): Developing skills and understanding of the game.
- Elite (16–18 years old): Advanced techniques and reading of the game.
Training sessions are held on a personal or small group level, so that each athlete receives personalized attention.
How does your team Uppsala Basket deal with HER GAME?
In a very positive way. I have the support and help of the entire team, but especially my coach, and for that I thank them warmly for embracing my effort.
photo by https://rebound.cyprustimes.com/kypros/agynaikon/h-emfanestati-apoleia-tis-marissa-pagkalos/ – Rebound Cyprustimes
