Meesseman ready to make the most of SuperCup Women
EKATERINBURG (SuperCup Women 2016) - When Emma Meesseman steps out for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Thursday's SuperCup Women Final against ESBVA-LM it's likely to feel extra special.
That's because the Belgium national team and WNBA star will make a return to her old home court for the big game and is sure to have plenty of support off the floor, with Villeneuve located only a short hop over the border from her homeland.
"I am so excited to go and play in Villeneuve and getting to see some ex-team-mates, the staff, the supporters and also my friends and family again," she enthused.
"For some people it's too far or difficult to come all the way to Russia to be with me, so this is a great opportunity and I also hope they will get to see a great game."
Meesseman was loaned to Villeneuve by her former club Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje, which proved to be something of a masterstroke as it's been an upward curve ever since - culminating in Meesseman not only making her EuroLeague Women debut last season, but appearing at a first ever Final Four and then landing a maiden EuroLeague Women title.
Because she made a mid-season move in 2015-16, this time around is proving a real thrill for Meesseman. She is preparing to get ready for a full campaign wearing the famous UMMC orange after completing yet another WNBA summer with the Washington Mystics.
She explained: "Now I will get the time to get to know the team even better and although I did not have any problems last year with 'being thrown' in the team, I can build more automatisms with other players now by playing more games.
"My personal goals are the same as always: getting better in every single aspect of the game and getting to every Final possible and trying to win them."
Meesseman will also prepare for her first long winter in Ekaterinburg and if she had hoped to ease her way in during the early part of October, it wasn't to be.
"It has been snowing already," she laughed.
But rather than the weather, it's the big game against ESBVA-LM which is the focus and especially because Thursday's opponents have re-stocked with the stellar talent of Les Bleues duo, Olivia Epoupa and Valeriane Ayayi - as well as the explosive Ukrainian swingman Alina Iagupova.
"They have made some great moves and have a team that can't be underestimated," acknowledged Meesseman.
"I know that we are going to have to be fully prepared for them, as their team has a lot of talent and experience as well. Next to that, I know it's always hard to play in Villeneuve as visitors because the home supporters are able to push the players to a victory."
Once the dust has settled on the start of the season both in terms of the SuperCup Women Final and then the first few weeks of the EuroLeague Women Regular Season, there's also another topic high on the agenda - namely the last of the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers.
"I am so looking forward to playing those two last games," stated the 23-year-old as she looks to book Belgium a long overdue return to Final Round.
"I know we really do have a chance to qualify. We lost against Belarus by five points, so that is not a lot and we'll have Ann Wauters with us this time, which will make a difference.
"Poland are not to be underestimated, after we beat them heavily and they'll want to prove themselves. But if we stick to our game plan like we have before, then we have a chance," concluded Meesseman.
FIBA
