br>
The recently completed European Women's Volleyball Championship was remembered for the bright debut of ex-Russian Ekaterina in the Italian national team Antropova. The 20-year-old athlete ousted world star Paola Egona from the starting six. Just six years ago, the volleyball player was on the extended list of the Russian youth team. However, a year later, Catherine was calmly released and then they no longer interfered with the change of citizenship.
At the age of 18, the girl made her debut in the Savino del Bene club, with which she later won the ECV Challenge Cup (2022) and the ECV Cup (2023). Antropova can safely be called a person of the world — she was born in Iceland, almost immediately after that the family returned to St. Petersburg, and at the age of 15, Ekaterina and her mother went to Italy.
In a conversation with Sport, the volleyball player said , why you made the choice in favor of a new country, how the adaptation went in Italy and whether there is an opportunity to play for a Russian club.
— Your father is one of the tallest basketball players in the history of Spartak St. Petersburg. Mom is tall too?
— I was lucky with my genes. Dad’s is 2.12, mom’s is 1.90. She played handball, played for the team from Maykop in the Super League.
— How did a basketball player dad and handball mom get a daughter into volleyball?
“Both dad and mom always had difficulty gaining weight, and without it it’s hard in both basketball and handball. And my aunts, my mother’s sisters, played volleyball professionally. One of them still plays in the Israeli championship. The choice cannot be called random. Although my first sports experience in childhood was rhythmic gymnastics. Every summer she grew by 10 centimeters, so Alina Kabaeva had to give up the dream of Alina Kabaeva’s laurels.
— When your first successes came in volleyball, did you decide that you needed to try your hand at Italy?— In the first months of training, I didn’t like volleyball at all. My hands hurt when receiving the ball, nothing really worked out. I studied at a sports school in a relaxed manner. The first time I enjoyed volleyball was when I hit the ball into the court from above. I still remember the sound. She moved to Italy at the age of 15. The parents then asked: “Are you ready for it to be difficult?” By this time, she was already determined to become a professional volleyball player and answered: “Ready.” » />
— Was it difficult to adapt to life in a new country?
— In an Italian school was there a specialized volleyball class?
— In high school, you could choose from several areas, including sports. I chose international marketing for myself, where a lot of time is devoted to economics, law, and foreign languages.
—Have you ever encountered a negative attitude towards yourself due to current realities?
— This has never happened before. Italians treat me very warmly. As evidence, I can give an example of outdoor advertising of our club’s matches. For two seasons, banners with my portrait and announcements of upcoming games have been hung throughout the city.
— You were invited to the training camp of the Russian national team by the Italian specialist Sergio Busato, who worked with them at the time . Did you already decide then that you would play for Italy?
—Buzato got in touch with his mother. It was not even possible to come to the training camp. At that time, the Italian championship was still going on, and the team was counting on me very much.
— Was it difficult to obtain Italian citizenship?
— Italians often mention the bureaucracy in the country. The issue with my sports citizenship could not be resolved for a year and a half. The NOC of Italy got involved to process the passport. I didn’t have to take a language test, since I already had a certificate of completion from an Italian school. I read the text of the oath at the mayor's office of the city where I live, promised to comply with the constitution of the country and be a worthy citizen.
— At the European Championships, you ousted world volleyball star Paola Egona from the starting six. Did this affect your relationship with her?
— I can’t call Paola my best friend, but our relationship is normal. The team must be a team, and the composition is determined by the coach.
— Do Italian clubs pay much attention to medical control of players?
— I can only talk about how work is carried out in my club. We have a very representative medical staff, which includes a nutritionist and osteopath. The intake of vitamins and nutritional supplements is monitored very carefully, and blood tests are taken regularly. I allow myself to deviate from the nutritionist’s instructions only after games, if there are no more games coming up in the coming days. Then you can eat borscht, dumplings, pizza, and cakes. Not all at once, of course, one thing from the “forbidden” list.
— With someone from the Russian Do you keep in touch with volleyball players?
—Only with those with whom you trained at the sports school. My best friend stayed in St. Petersburg. It was simply not possible to get to know any of the Russian volleyball players who play in the Super League.
— The son of the legendary setter of the USSR national team, Ivan Zaitsev, was born and raised in Italy, choosing this national team for himself countries. At the same time, he played in the Russian Championship. Are you considering this possibility for yourself?
— I definitely won’t rule out this option. Although this is unlikely to happen in the next five years. I want to play in Italy for now. It will be interesting to get acquainted with the development of volleyball in Turkey and Japan, having played in the championships of these countries.
— Do you feel like a Russian or Italian?
—Perhaps I have a good mix of two mentalities and cultures.