Sandrine Gruda joined the growing number of basketball stars in Russia when leaving French giants US Valenciennes for UMMC Ekaterinburg.

In doing so, she has linked up with one of the most talented club sides in the world.

With Gruda, Australian trio Penny Taylor, Kristi Harrower and Suzy Batkovic, Polish

		Kristi Harrower is one of a trio of Australian players staring for Ekaterinburg.

superstar Agnieszka Bibrzycka, Russian duo Oxana Rakhmatulina and Natalia Vodopyanova and American Deanna Nolan, Ekaterinburg have the look of a side that could win the Euroleague Women crown.

Gruda, the reigning FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year, averaged 13.5 points and four rebounds in Ekaterinburg's thrashings of USK Prague and Wisla Can-Pack.

Sandrine spoke to Jeff Taylor on behalf of FIBA Europe ahead of this week's game against Jolly JBS Sibenik of Croatia.

FIBA Europe: Sandrine, congratulations on a winning start in the EuroLeague Women with your new team, Ekaterinburg. Has the adjustment been easy for you?

Sandrine: "I can't say easy, but I have not encountered a lot difficulties in my integration."

FIBA Europe: I don't know much about Ekaterinburg. Is it a beautiful city, and what can you do there other than play basketball?

Sandrine: "It's a good city, it's not big but it's enough for me. I can do some shopping."

FIBA Europe: Ekaterinburg appear to have a lot of potential to do very well this season. How long will it be before we see the team play at its best?

Sandrine: "Oh, I don't know but we work very hard for this and I aim to play at a good level."

FIBA Europe: On paper, Ekaterinburg have many great players but that means some will not spend as much time on the court or take as many shots as they may like. Could this be a problem? Or, on the contrary, do you sense most of your teammates are unselfish and only want to win?

Sandrine: "I don't know but for the moment, everybody accepts all the circumstances. Yes, I can say most of my teammates are unselfish and want to win."

FIBA Europe: How much fun do you have playing basketball and how much has your life changed since being named FIBA Europe's Young Player of the Year?

Sandrine: "I love this game, so playing basketball - it's a pleasure. My life doesn't change. I'm always the same!"

FIBA Europe: You have three Australians as teammates in Penny Taylor, Kristi Harrower

		Anete Jekabsone-Zogota stars for Russian rivals Dynamo Moscow.

and Suzy Batkovic. Have they taught you the song Waltzing Matilda, yet? Seriously, would you like to visit Australia one day?

Sandrine: (Smiling) Uh not yet! Yes it's (Australia) a little bit far away but why not?!

FIBA Europe: Sandrine, the food in France is the best, or at least among the best in the world. What is it like in Russia and what exactly do you eat there?

Sandrine: "The food in Russia is different, but I'm not difficult so I try everything."

FIBA Europe: Russia has so many good teams with Ekaterinburg, CSKA Moscow, Dynamo Moscow and Spartak Moscow Region, how difficult do you expect that league to be this year?

Sandrine: "This (Russian) league, from my point of view, is the best like you said with a lot of great teams. The main difficulty will be in the EuroLeague because FIBA Europe have authorised that only two teams per country but in Russia there are four teams who can claim to go to the final four. Only because that it's not good to have too much good team in the same country. On the other hand its very interesting to play against this kind of team because here it's a high level."

(Editors note: No more than two Russian teams are allowed to reach the EuroLeague Women Final Four, so Russian teams would meet in the quarter-finals if all four make it to the last eight)

FIBA Europe: Thanks as always, Sandrine. Good luck with your games this week.

Sandrine: Okay, thanks to you Jeff.