UMMC Ekaterinburg had a major facelift in the summer that should make them contenders for honours in the Russian Women's Superleague and the EuroLeague Women.

The team now has world class players from Australia, France, Poland and Russia.

One of the newcomers is Australia's national team point guard Kristi Harrower, who has joined from French giants US Valenciennes.

		Gruda is one of the players that made the move from USVO to Ekaterinburg.

The early evidence in the EuroLeague suggests Ekaterinburg will be very good.

They thumped USK Prague in the opening game of the competition on Wednesday, 85-43.

Harrower spoke to Jeff Taylor on behalf of FIBA Europe.

FIBA EUROPE: Hi Kristi, how are things going for you and some of the others who have moved from Western Europe to play in Russia this season with UMMC Ekaterinburg?

Kristi Harrower: "Russia is going okay. The adjustment for me is not that big because I have the same coaches that I have had the last two years in Valenciennes so I already know what to expect and I know that he expects a lot from all players and as a team. I have played with Suzy Batkovic, Penny Taylor and Sandrine Gruda before so it is good to have some people that you know how to play with. I think the biggest adjustment is just for myself on court. Having better players around and just learning all new offenses and
knowing when and where your shot will come." 

FIBA EUROPE: Russia now have the best teams in Europe, it appears, with Spartak Moscow Region, CSKA Moscow and Dynamo Moscow. That is a lot of competition in the Superleague Women, nevermind the EuroLeague Women. Where does Ekaterinburg fit into the mix?
 
Harrower: "I think when we get some more games together and have more time together, I think we can match it with those teams here in Russia. Of course you will have to play your best game for 40 minutes to beat teams like CSKA and Spartak because they have great players and any of them can hurt you on any given night."

FIBA EUROPE: "Just looking at your team roster, Ekaterinburg does have the look of a team that can go all the way this year in both Russia and Europe. There is so much quality, from the Australia trio of you, Penny and Suzy Batkovic to Oxana Rakhmatulina of Russia, to Sandrine of France and Agnieszka Bibrzycka of Poland - all the ingredients are there for a
successful year. How difficult is it, though, to get chemistry in the team?

Harrower: "Its always difficult when you have great players and everyone has been a stud in their previous team and everyone wants the ball to score, etc. but that is where I think our coach is quite good and makes great players play as a team. I think people are starting to understand what he wants and he will let them know if they shoot a bad shot and should have passed it. Also, a lot will come from me and Oxana being point guards because you need to get everyone included in the game and make sure you run the right plays for the right people and get your studs the ball to score."