Another heroine of Handballfast author’s column — Emiliya Turey, one of the best left wings in the history of Russian handball, three-time world champion, silver medalist of 2008 Olympic Games, in the recent past sporting director of HC Astrakhanocka, and now team manager of Moscow Luch — about borsch, turtle soup with a soft shell, fear of spiders and heights and dreams of snowboard.
1. You played in Denmark, Spain, Romania… If you could stay in one of these countries forever, which one will you chose?
— Spain, of course! Sun, sea — and I’m a southern and heat-loving girl… And it’s not just a matter of climate. Spain is a gastronomic paradise. I adore fruits, vegetables, meat, hamon. Everything is of extraordinary quality there.
However, I felt comfortable in Denmark as well. Concerning Romania, I spent little time there and didn’t have time to form a clear opinion about the country, where I would certainly like to return.
2. You traveled half the world. What place did you absolutely dislike?
— I first came to Brazil in 2011. The World Cup was held there. On the one hand, it’s a wonderful country with plenty of landmarks and fine cuisine. On the other…
I still got the image of favela in Sao Paolo we passed through by bus. No electricity, no sewerage, dilapidated shacks, almost made of cardboard! It’s terrible! In XXI century nothing changes in Brazil in this sense. It’s pity.
3. You live in Moscow since December. Is it your city?
— Yes! I love it, I have many friends here. Even in my game years I tried to divide my vacation in order to spend a couple of days in Moscow. I like megacities and their rhythm in general. I’m an active person, constantly on the move.
4. From whom did you hear "Emiliya Halsberievna" last time?
— Ha-ha… I always clarify this moment at a new job: "No patronymics, please! Call me just Emiliya". I understand, that few people can pronounce without hesitation: "Emiliya Halsberievna". But from time to time people address me by my patronymic. Either young handball players, or the club staff.
5. Your father is from Sierra Leone. How did he find himself in Astrakhan?
— For my native town the concept of friendship of the nations is not an empty sound. There have always been a lot of students from Africa and Asia in Astrakhan — in Soviet times and now. Thus, intermarriage is not uncommon.
Father graduated from the Astrakhan Technical Institute of Fishing Industry and Economy. It was renamed to the State Technical University in 1994. By the way, I also studied there.
6. How old were you, when your parents divorced?
— I was five. Further communication with my father was solely by phone. And finally we met in 2019. He came to Astrakhan, and I was incredibly happy. Of course, he has already forgotten the language, we talked on a mixture of Russian and English. We regularly speak on the phone now.
7. How many languages do you know?
— I know perfectly only one — Russian. But I am able to communicate in English, Spanish… And in Serbian as well, which I mastered while playing in Denmark. I made friends with Bojana Popovic and Maja Savic. We communicated a lot beyond the court and at some point I thought — why don’t I learn Serbian? And I began to learn step by step, without teachers and textbooks, only by ear!
8. Did you experience any cooking experiment in Asian Countries?
— Once I ordered turtle soup with soft shell In China. It turns out, such exists… I ate it with pleasure. Turtle tastes like an ordinary chicken. If you close your eyes and start chewing, you will hardly find a difference.
I didn’t take the risk of tasting something more exotic. Stomach should be cherished, especially during peak season.
9. What is the dish you never get tired of?
— Borsch! I love it! Scramble is on the second place. In other words, scrambled eggs.
10. It’s not a problem to cook eggs at home. And do you often cook borsch?
— No. Thanks God, there are always people around who will prepare it delicious. At least, I can go to a restaurant. I don’t like to stand at the stove for a long time.
I can allow myself such a weakness, since I have no husband and children yet. If I had them, they would immediately inslave me (laughing) ...
11. What about phobias?
— I’m terribly afraid of spiders. And heights. More precisely, I don’t get too close to the edge of balcony — I start to shake. But when it comes to roller coaster — there is no problem. In the same Denmark I enjoyed extreme attractions occasionally in Tivoli Gardens and in Legoland. I felt great! Probably, in such moments adrenaline just overshadows fear.
12. What is the thing you never tried, got afraid of and now regret?
— While playing, the ban on snowboard, as well as on any extreme, was written in the contract. I wanted to go snowboarding so much, but common sense prevailed. I decided not to risk. I told myself to postpone dreaming of snowboard until the end of career. But I haven’t got my hands on it yet, though it has been a long time since I finished playing, there are no obstacles any more.
However, there’s no place for snowboarding in Astrakhan, you have to look for snow in the afternoon with fire. It’s easier in Moscow region. Maybe, I will be able to get to slope before spring.
13. How many lines from song «Handball» by Splin do you know?
— (Singing). "In a word, we are all keen on handball. We are all keen on handball. And we will die for it..." I think, there is no person who doesn’t know these lines. It’s more complicated with other words.
I don’t remember, though I heard this song many times, and the chorus penetrated exactly my soul and heart. I like Splin. It’s a great band. On occasion, I will go to their concert with pleasure.
14. When were you on a concert last time?
— Oh, I can’t even remember. With the appearance of coronavirus I try to avoid visiting places with large crowds of people. But if I find out that Leonid Agutin or rock band The Killers perform in Moscow, I will definitely buy a ticket. These are my favorite singers. I’ve dreamed about listening them live for a long time.
Actually, in terms of music I am omnivorous. Everything is downloaded in my playlist — from Bach and Schubert to Eminen and 50 Cent.
15. A feature film, dedicated to the victory of handball Russian national team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, is planned to be made. If it was up to you to decide, whom would you trust to play Evgeniy Trefilov?
— (After a pause). To Yury Kolokolnikov. He is a wonderful actor, he will be able to convey the character of Evgeniy Vasilievich on the screen. The main thing is that he fits the type. Yes, he is much younger. But after all, he can be in make up!
16. Now "Cheburashka" is breaking records in Russia. Have you already watched?
— Not yet. But I will definitely watch it! Firstly, all my friends are excited about this movie. They say, it is a good film with humor. Secondly, Cheburashka is my childhood hero. I would like to see it on the big screen and feel nostagyс…
17. And now here is the traditional for this column set of questions. Dmitry Zhitnikov’s favorite series is "Sons of Anarchy", Antonina Skorobogatchenko’s — "Love is in the air". And what about you?
— "Succession". It is an American comedy with elements of black humor. All the three seasons are in the top! Among our series I would like to note a historical "Catherina". There are also three seasons with Marina Aleksandrova starring as the Empress Catherina the Second.
18. The last book you read?
— "Atlas shrugged". It is informative. I liked other novels of Ayn Rand. But in general, there are so many sources of information now, that I have less and less time for books. Unfortunately.
19. A famous tennis player Yevgeny Kafelnikov once told me: "I can’t stand blondies and cognac". What do you dislike?
— Regarding food — licorice-flavoured candies. They are disgusting! They taste like cough syrup. Though they are wildly popular in Denmark and other Scandinavian countries. I often saw children and adults eating it with pleasure. I cannot wrap my mind around that.
And I don’t like hypocrites. People, who don’t keep their word. And those, who are late. I’m a punctual person and I demand the same from others.
20. The six-time world champion in swimming Yuliya Efimova once said: "I’m mean, hot-tempered, stubborn". Can you characterize yourself with the same honesty?
— Sometimes I can also be mean and stubborn. I am meticulous as well, I consider each step thoroughly, no to say scrupulously. At the same time I’m not a bore. On the contrary, I’m very positive!
*Author — Sport-Express columnist, specially for Handballfast
Photo: personal archive of Emiliya Turey
