Daniela Peteva: I just want to play basketball

Daniela Peteva

22-12-2005 00:18

Today we talk with Daniela Peteva, the youngest player in the women's team of Dunav Ruse. Despite her tender age of 16, she has been the toughest mentally of all Dunav players and has contributed greatly with her all-around play for the good impression that the young team of Dunav have left with their performances so far this season.

- Daniela, you came from Veliko Tarnovo less than two months ago and you had never lived in another city before. How are you adjusting to life in Ruse, do you feel comfortable here already?
- Yes, of course, I do. I was welcomed into the team by all the other girls and I am glad to have been treated in such a friendly manner. They are all older than me and for my adaptation it was important how I was accepted by them.

- Are you also happy with the accommodation that the club management has provided for you here?
- Yes, it's perfect. My teammates and I have everything we need; all we can do is repay the club by giving our best on the court.

- What do you think about the city itself?
- I like Ruse. Before I came I was told by everyone that it was a nice city and, after that, I saw for myself that it really was one.

- That is good, but, theoretically, if the team of Welt 94 Veliko Tarnovo were somehow revived and you had the chance to return there, would you be willing to go back home and help the team win promotion into the elite?
- Yes, maybe, but I am part of the team here at Dunav and I am still a junior, so it's not me who should make the decisions. I am not a big star and I hope I'll never talk and act like one. I am a Dunav player right now and I will give my best for this team.

- You are also an U 16 national team player. What are your ambitions for the future?
- I want to learn and develop as much as I can and I want the fans to have fun watching our team play. I hope I will make it into the women's national team one day, but what I want the most is to just play basketball.

- You are a true all-rounder, playing at the small forward position. But what is your favourite component of the game - scoring, passing, rebounds or defense?
- Everyone can score, but I like giving my all in defense, cause that is where I can help my team the most.

- You are one of the most regular starters in Dunav. But there is great competition for each starting place in this team, with at least 2 players capable of performing well at each position. Do you think that sort of competition is a good or a bad thing?
- I like the competition and I've never been given a starting place by default. I've always earned it with hard work and I think I've proved that I am capable of being a reliable first team player.

- In Veliko Tarnovo at one point you played with girls five years older than you in one of the youth teams. How did that feel?
- They used to "crush" me at first and it was very hard for me, being so much younger. But then a turning point came, when it was me who started to dominate them on the court and I proved to them I was better.

- Good luck to you and the team.
- Thanks.

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