BRA – Mama, Ega happy to be home

RIO DE JANEIRO (National team) – Smiles are on the faces of Jucimara Evangelista and Soeli Zakrzeski again.

It’s not often that a Brazilian women’s player does not smile, of course.

But that was the case at least some of the time this summer at the Beijing Games, when the national side endured four difficult defeats before finishing the tournament by upsetting Belarus.

Better known as Mama (Evangelista) and Ega (Zakrzeski), the two are in Brazil and playing in the Campeonato Feminino for powerhouses Ourinhos, the defending champions.

Each is back on home soil after extended periods in Europe with different clubs.

The 30-year-olds have enjoyed a winning start to the Campeonato with five wins from six games.

Only undefeated Unimed/Americana (6-0) have been better so far.

Mama, who played in places like France and Italy, admits that Europe is never far from her thoughts.

"Living outside (Brazil) is a fantastic experience, both personal and professional," she said.

"I went to Europe young (2000), I liked it very much, especially after overcoming the language barrier.

"When I learned to speak French and English, it was easier to learn Italian.

"I lived in beautiful cities in France and Italy, along with other countries disputing competitions known as the EuroCup Women and EuroLeague Women.

"I went to different places and beautiful, like Slovakia, Turkey. They are moments that basketball gave me that I have never and will never forget."

Ega had a couple of spells in Spain and went to France in between.

She spent last season in Zaragoza.

"That last stay in Spain was very different," she said.

"This time, I arrived at the very beginning. The team had just started the pre-season. It was a new experience and delightful, where I felt part of a whole. The team was composed of new girls of 19 and 20 years of age.

"At first, I was the only foreigner on the team. Then came a further strengthening and (fellow Brazilian) Franciele arrived in the middle of the season. The objective of the team was not to drop to the second division and we achieved that goal."

Mama, in the interview that was published on the Brazil Confederation website, says that it helped that her husband Denis was with her in Europe.

"He was a fantastic support at all times," she said.

"My mother is afraid of flying and my father is running his company in Parana. But they help me a lot, praying and cheering for my success."

Ega’s brother, Julius Caesar, was with her the last seven months in Zaragoza.

"He takes care of my things, makes my food, is a friend.

"I met a lot of Brazilians, had a lot of friends and was involved in the church there."

Mama says she is thrilled to be on home soil again.

"I am very happy," Mama said. "The Brazilian people are different, even more warm and friendly.

"I'm in a great team, in a town that likes basketball and I really want to be a national champion again.

"Best of all is to be closer to my family."

FIBA