In-depth interview with one of the most decorated basketball players of our time.

At the end of May, Elena Beglova told Sport-Express that she was ending her professional career. “As of now, I’ve finished. But since this is already the third time, you can never say anything for certain.” A good reason to call the three-time EuroLeague champion, multiple-time Russian champion, and longtime point guard of the national team. During our conversation, we discussed Elena’s desire to try her hand at an executive role, her openness, and why her generation never managed to win medals at the national team level.

— In early May, you won the Russian Championship once again. How is this title different from the others?

— You’re saying that with a bit of sarcasm.

— Just a little. Olga Arteshina told us that each of her 16 championships was unique.

— Olya is absolutely right. Behind every medal is hard work and complete dedication. I don’t even know how many medals I have, but I value each and every one of them. This latest one is just more proof that I chose the right path 27 years ago. That path has led me to another title. Every new medal is confirmation that you are better than the rest.

— That’s a wonderful thought.

— It’s important to note that you shouldn’t separate the player from the team. No two players are alike, and their stories will differ. The same goes for teams - there will never be two identical ones.

— How do you assess your role and significance in this team?

— This season was one of the most mentally challenging. Our team was so versatile and so strong that all 12 players could play and win. My minutes on the court were reduced simply because another foreign player joined, and those minutes had to be shared even more. It was mentally tough because I’m the kind of player who’s used to being efficient and valuable. When the club invited me back after the birth of my second child, it was a kind of personal challenge. My thought was: if I don’t try, I’ll never know what it’s like - to play while raising two kids. At that moment, I felt a strong need to be part of a team. I returned to UMMC, but it was a completely different team because all the star foreign players had left, and the coach had changed.

It felt like I was coming back to the same team, but I had to readjust as if I were joining a completely new group. Still, I was getting playing time and felt that I was filling certain roles. The girls would often turn to me for support. I’ve always been someone who’s ready to help - whether it’s basketball or something in life. All the girls know that my experience and abilities are always there to support, guide, and help a teammate. This past season was mentally tough because I had less playing time and, I guess, very little feedback from the coaching staff. At some point, I started to feel like I had outgrown the space I was in.

It seems to me that every coach I’ve had throughout my career has always believed in me and given me feedback. But this season, I started to feel like I was just “another player” - that this was becoming my role.

— That’s an interesting thought.

— My role on the team remained the same. I gave my all in every single moment I was given, regardless of how much time I spent on the court. That’s the kind of player I am - I go out there and give the maximum effort I’m capable of at that moment.

Something started to feel off. I was no longer comfortable, I was no longer okay with how things were. It became hard to find motivation, to push myself, to adapt. The last month or two of the season were especially tough for me. I felt like I was showing up and doing the work, but the spark was gone - there was no energy, no motivation, no drive.

I retired twice and came back twice, but life shows you never really know how things will turn out.

— So it’s not quite clear — have you ended your career or not?

— Well, look, now you’re going to write that I’ve ended my career.

— Yes, of course.

— But what if something changes? I feel interest from the UMMC management. They offered to extend my contract back in February. Maxim Nikolaevich Ryabkov and Igor Gennadievich Kudryashkin gave me time to think it over.

Having decided to retire, I spoke with Maxim Nikolaevich about it, because we have a special relationship. We truly understand each other — he gets me, and I value his opinion. When he came to talk, I shared my thoughts with him. In the past, I could always find the words to change my mind, but this time I just can’t. As a director, he didn’t want to let me go, but as a man, as a father, he supported my decision.

After the final game in Yekaterinburg, he came up to me and said that the position is still open — if you’re ready, we’ll always be happy to have you back.

To be honest, I’m looking for something on a different scale now. Maybe I don’t want to completely leave the UMMC holding. If they offer me something interesting, something more global, more large-scale — like representing UMMC in a charitable organization or something along those lines.

There are actually many options, and I’m the kind of person who loves starting something new, trying things out, and learning.

A women’s team is never easy

— Have you ever thought about becoming a coach?

— Oh, you know, I get asked that question so often. I think in every other interview, journalists bring it up. It’s not Plan A or even Plan B — it’s Plan C. It’s a backup plan that I can always turn to if I need to.

If I ever feel a real desire to share my experience and teach others, and if I can find the patience for it, then I’ll be ready to go down that path. But for now, I still want to give Plan A and Plan B a shot.

— What do you think women’s basketball needs in order to get more attention and recognition?

— I think we’re already moving in the right direction. Our perception of sports is different from how it is in the U.S., where basketball is seen as something almost supernatural.

So, we need to look at what people respond to, what they enjoy, and what kind of emotions the game brings out. I can’t say exactly what’s missing. You just have to try different things, promote the sport, start with the kids. It’s a complex job, and first and foremost, the players themselves have to be interested in it.

— In general, do the girls themselves want to develop the sport?

— I can say that during the season, the focus naturally shifts inward. Most girls are probably closed off and don’t want to get distracted. They simply don’t have the mental or physical energy because of the games, travel, and training. For me, for example, I’ve always enjoyed doing interviews. I found it interesting. Not all basketball players are that reserved. Sometimes you just have to offer — because the athletes themselves won’t come up with ideas or take initiative. An athlete is someone who, when told what to do, just goes and does it.

I have so many examples of when I invite someone to a game for the first time, explain what they can expect, and after the game they text me: “Lena, wow, that was amazing! We were shouting, we were so into it!” People need a little push and guidance, too.

— Let’s go back to your sports school days. How do you evaluate your training at Trinta after all these years?

— It was a different time back then. Nowadays, we can say that kind of training isn’t really used anymore. Those were physically demanding, tough sessions, but they prepared us for even more difficult times, when knockout games began and only the strongest advanced.

— You made it into professional basketball quite early.

— I started at eighteen. Two practices a day, each lasting two to two and a half hours. We ran at stadiums, we did long-distance runs. And the evening basketball practice was just as intense. It was packed. And if you add morning workouts, that made it three sessions a day. I understand now that young girls need to be pushed, kept under strict discipline, but for us, that was the norm. Sometimes, even after dinner, there would be something extra. It was tough. But I guess it was something we had to go through — it was natural selection. Whoever made it through was ready for the championship, ready to compete at a high level.

— When we spoke with Maria Stepanova, she said something interesting: if you let yourself slack off, there were always ten people behind you ready to replace you — and you’d just be forgotten.

— I can speak for myself. I’ve always had a competitive nature — I just didn’t want to lose. And for me, slacking off wasn’t about “oh no, someone’s going to take my spot,” it was more that I’d feel uncomfortable with myself. I couldn’t lose a sprint or say I was tired and couldn’t continue. That inner athlete didn’t let me. I was always competing with myself.

— You’ve played with dozens of different players. Let’s talk a bit about them. Who was the toughest, most relentless one you ever played with?

— Natasha Zhedik. She fought to the end in every situation. And it didn’t matter whether we were playing together or against each other. She’s the kind of person who will keep fighting no matter what and do everything she can to make sure the opponent has a hard time.

— And who were the toughest opponents, so to speak? Stepanova once said she never liked playing against the Australians.

— For me, I’d say it was more the Serbian players. We always had tough clashes with them. They pressed full court all the time, your eyes were about to pop from the tension. The games felt like battles — they didn’t hold back at all. We always had to mentally prepare for a tough, physical game.

— Can you name anyone in particular?

— I won’t name names, because those people might have changed, maybe grown mentally since then. But generally, a women’s team is not the easiest environment. Everyone has their own personality, their own ambitions. And especially when someone has a high opinion of themselves, and then some little rookie shows up — it’s instantly fertile ground for conflict.

— If you don’t mind me asking - did your height ever make you feel insecure?

— Actually, that’s something I debunk in my book — that basketball players have to be tall. I was always very skinny and small as a kid, but I had a great playing quality.

— Long nails? Did I guess right?

— No, I was really fast. And I hated losing, so I’d dive for balls, skin my knees, throw myself under opponents’ feet — anything not to lose. I never had a complex about my height because I made up for it in other ways.

And those were my strengths, which later helped me reach the professional level.

— Got it. And who was always a pleasure to play with? Someone you truly enjoyed being on the court with?

— I’d say Alba Torrens — she’s very smart, extremely smart. We really connected emotionally, and we understood each other in the basketball sense too. I learned something from every player, because in UMMC we had world-class athletes — girls who were miles ahead. For me, every practice was way tougher than the actual games. I gained an enormous amount of experience in every single training session.

— When you were a child, who did you look up to? Who was your role model in basketball?

— I didn’t really have anyone I looked up to. I was never satisfied with the way I played. I constantly thought about where I needed to improve, where my weaknesses were, and how I had to work for years to fix those elements.

That dissatisfaction with myself, my games, and my actions always motivated and pushed me forward. I never wanted to play like someone else — not even like Maria Stepanova, for example. I wanted to play like me, but better — and then even better, and then better again, and again. Of course, I liked certain things in other players — someone’s dribbling, someone’s shot, a quick release, or a high jump. I took strengths from different people and tried to incorporate them into my own game.

Miguel Méndez helped me grow a lot.

— Who has been your favorite coach throughout your career?

— You really can’t say it like that. At every stage, my coach contributed something valuable to my development as a professional. For example, I can mention George Dikeoulakos. When I moved to Orenburg, where he was coaching, my English was basically nonexistent — I had studied French in school. I only knew a few phrases in English. But I realized I had to learn it, so I started actively taking lessons with a tutor just so I could communicate with him. Now I tell my girls: “Girls, learn English — you’ll need it in life.” It definitely came in handy for me.

The first two or three months, I would come home from practice and just cry. I kept saying: “Oh my God, I don’t understand anything. I don’t know what he wants from me. I don’t know how I’m going to play — nothing’s working.” That was really the turning point, you know, when I transitioned from playing average or semi-professional basketball to a higher, truly professional level.

Once I adjusted and understood what he wanted from me, he saw my potential. He understood what I was capable of. He believed in me, and I could feel myself opening up and growing under his coaching. My game was improving, yes, it was tough but I was clearly developing as an athlete.

Olaf Lange, who coached me both at UMMC and on the national team, gave me a lot of basketball knowledge. He contributed a lot in terms of mental preparation and game-readiness. He didn’t just work on the technical side — he helped build mental resilience and confidence too.

When Miguel Méndez came in, I had flashbacks — another Spaniard. I thought, “This is going to be a nightmare — kicking balls around, yelling, constant pressure.” I was preparing myself for that. But it turned out completely different.

By the end of the season, Miguel was putting me in as the starting point guard for the most important games, even benching a foreign player in my place. I understood him, and he understood me. There was no yelling, no breakdowns — just a clear structure that I followed. We connected. He knew how to talk to me, how to motivate me, how to deliver information in a way that would stick and I could turn it into performance on the court. That’s why Miguel really helped me grow as a player.

I’m truly grateful that I had coaches like that throughout my journey. Every coach helped me grow. If you’re not mentally tough — here comes Roberto [Íñiguez]. After two years with Roberto, nothing fazes you anymore. You have to take something from every coach that makes you stronger. If you get benched, go prove yourself — work at practice, show what you can do. That’s where the growth happens. So I could say something about every coach — they all gave me something that helped me as a player. There’s no such thing as a bad coach.

— Why isn’t women’s basketball very popular in Russia?

— Maybe it’s missing some of that action, those “wow” moments. Women’s games can be a bit more structured, more measured. Of course, there are some great plays, but maybe what the spectators are really looking for is that adrenaline, that drive. Basketball isn’t just a game — it’s the work of a large group of people who should be focused on developing the sport and generating interest around it.   

It’s hard to say. For example, I actively participate in various media events. I go on the radio, run masterclasses, attend meetups where I can talk about how to come to a basketball game or how to get started in the sport. I even wrote a book that aims to motivate and explain that sports always come with losses and challenges. I regularly attend autograph sessions and never turn down an interview.

Basketball is more than just a game. Personally, I feel about basketball the way a parent feels about their child. While my classmates couldn’t travel to other cities or countries, I was going abroad and seeing the world. It was just incredible. I looked at the players, at the girls, at what their families were like. I compared, I reflected, I was amazed. For me, basketball has always been something big. I may be involved in the sport, but I also see myself contributing to something larger through it.

— Have you thought about trying your hand at grassroots basketball?

— That’s actually how we came up with a new role. Why stick only to coaching when you can stay involved in basketball but take a broader approach, you know? I can help others get passionate about the sport, develop basketball, and bring more kids into the game.

I lived within certain boundaries for 27 years. And now, I feel like it’s time to break those boundaries and realize the inner ambitions and desires I have. That’s why I believe I’ve already given a lot to basketball and sports, but I can still give even more.

— Why do you think some people don’t realize that promoting the sport off the court is actually in their best interest?

— More and more girls have started engaging in managing social media, highlighting the nuances of off-season work, making reels, and interesting posts. It seems that more athletes are hopping on this train. Not every athlete is ready to open up. The main focus is always on results and performance. That also requires energy and resources, and not everyone is prepared for that. But I already see a trend where girls are gradually opening up and realizing that basketball is basketball, but your name, your achievements — you need to bring them out into the spotlight and introduce people to the sport and what you do. For example, Marina Goldyreva and Albina Razheva have started sharing what they do outside basketball, how they spend their vacations.

Sometimes basketball helps you discover new paths. After the birth of my second child, I had quite a bit of time to dive into aspects connected to the game. Nowadays, everyone has the latest sneakers, breathable gear, and so on. But back when I was playing, comfortable clothes were worth their weight in gold. When many sports brands left Russia, I started thinking: why do we have so few homegrown sportswear brands? I admit, I wasn’t happy with the quality, and my 25 years of playing experience gives me an insider’s perspective. Two years ago, I decided to launch my own sportswear brand, Beglova, in partnership with Maria Vaulina. Of course, some might think it’s just a hobby of a mom with two kids to avoid going crazy at home. But it turned out to be something else entirely. It’s a real industry that requires full commitment. We do all our production in Yekaterinburg, so we’re not dependent on market fluctuations. Maybe someday I’ll even outfit a Super League or Premier League team.

— Why do you think the media doesn’t pay much attention to women’s basketball?

— Well, that’s a question for the media. I guess it’s a kind of vicious circle: the media isn’t interested in women’s basketball because not many people know about it, and not many people know about it because the media doesn’t really cover it. Of course, you could blame the players for not putting in enough effort, but it doesn’t always work that way. I give interviews and then think, “Ah, I should’ve mentioned this, or that. Damn, why did I stress that word wrong?” During the off-season, I even took a public speaking course because I don’t like the way I express my thoughts. Some people are willing to do that, others aren’t. The media have their job, and the players have theirs.

— It seems like our players could be doing more to promote their sport.

— Maybe it’s time we drew the line differently. Look, there are girls who joined just two or three years ago — they’re making good money and basically don’t have to do anything except play and train.     

And then there are girls who are moving into a different phase, when they start realizing that in three, four, maybe five years their careers will be over, and different thoughts begin to come up. You see? And the girls who are already “over” a certain age treat these things a bit differently. You have to understand that and separate it. At twenty-one, you don’t think the way you do at thirty.

Not everyone yet understands how to express their thoughts or how to present information in an interesting way. The professional sports system is closed off. You’re only developing your basketball skills. Any education or learning you want to do can only happen in the off-season — and that’s only if you have the desire, the energy, and the need for it.

As players approach thirty, they might start thinking: “Wait, what else did I want to try? What can I do besides basketball?” It’s actually a very deep topic. 

“It’s great that the Russian Basketball Federation managed to arrange friendly games with strong opponents.”

— Is there anyone among the young Russian players who stands out to you?

— I won’t single out specific players, but I really like Sparta&K — the girls there are young, skilled, humble, and willing to work hard. For their age, they’re really impressive in terms of basketball IQ. I really like that. Their understanding of the game, the way they read situations — it’s like they’re not restricted by rigid frameworks. Their playing style is so bold.

— Do you think the international situation has hit us hard?

— I think it has, unfortunately. We don’t have competitive experience anymore. When I joined UMMC, 80 percent of the team were high-level international players. And no matter what people say, I genuinely learned a lot. Sure, I made more mistakes, sometimes I was just supporting others on the court, but as a Russian player, playing and interacting with such strong teammates, I felt my growth. I felt that when I came to the national team, I could do more. Now, we don’t have access to that kind of practice. Playing only among ourselves is one thing, but competing internationally is a whole different story. Recently, our girls played against Slovenia and Turkey, and I thought — wow, those are really strong opponents. It’s always been both a challenge and a pleasure to play against the Turkish teams. So it’s awesome that the federation managed to organize games like that. Under the current circumstances, it almost feels unreal.  

Right now, we all play in the same system, we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses — and that limits us. But playing European basketball against European teams is a completely different experience. It’s like getting an upgrade — like updating to a new version every time.

That’s why I’m incredibly grateful I had so many of those tournaments, games, competitions. I really hope things open up again, so our young girls can gain that same experience and use their full potential.

— Why hasn’t your national team had major victories?

— It depends on how you look at it. Honestly, I’ve thought about this a lot. I can’t say we didn’t work hard. I think it has to do with different generations and different versions of the national team. If you look at other countries, every team goes through periods without big wins. There were changes in the coaching staff, adjustments in the training process — this happens in every national team.

— How would you evaluate the federation’s work today?

— That’s a tricky question. What if I want to work there one day or at the Ministry? But seriously, I look at it the same way I look at myself. Our federation has grown stronger. We’ve seen the emergence of many new teams, along with a significant increase in tournaments and competitions for kids. But it can still be better — and then better again, you know what I mean?

Just like players build their careers step by step, so does the federation. These are difficult times, but we’ll get through them.    

Source: https://www.sport-express.ru/basketball/reviews/elena-beglova-intervyu-basketbolistki-o-rabote-funkc...