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SuziQ · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 288 Location: Phoenix

If I'd had the time, I had wanted to make a sign for Maria that said, "You're the most talented person to come out of Russia since my Grandmother!" As an American w/ Ukranian heritage, I feel a special pull to her.

I understand the desire to win gold for your country. I'm not a mother so I can only imagine how much she misses her little son. So I feel selfish asking her to stay. But I am asking anyway.

Please don't go, Maria. You will always wonder what might have been, if you do.

Stay here and find out just how good you really can be. Because I think if you do, you'll find you've attained a level of skill and confidence that no other league or training can give you. Even in the Olympics.

peoriamercfan · Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Posts: 54

First of all, you'll have to get Vodichkova to tranlsate that to Maria. Secondly, she's committed to her national obligation and you can't fault her for that. She's going and the Mercury will have to move on from there.

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 10:44 am Post subject:

I can't fault Maria for that, but I can fault her short-sighted national team management. She's getting game time against the best players in the world right now. Surely that is way more valuable in the long term to the Russian team than some mickey mouse qualifying tournament that they would breeze through with or without Maria in the lineup.

This is exactly the type of situation in which Lauren Jackson or our own Penny would tell the national team to go and get stuffed. I guess in Maria's case the financial implications for her are more serious than for the Aussies, so I can't be mad at Maria herself for doing what she's gotta do.
It's a real bummer for the Mercury though. I suspect that all other things being fair & equal, Maria would rather stay and take in some WNBA playoff action.
:(

SuziQ · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 288 Location: Phoenix

I don't fault Maria at all! She gave us what she could, when she could. We knew from the start her stay could end before the season did. I am grateful for the time we've had.

DD, you are so right. We don't know about finances, etc. And I agree that the RNT is making a bad decision - she'll be better trained here for the Olympics than in the qualifying rounds. You'd think they'd look at what Team USA and other National Teams are doing, not requiring the stars to be playing now and instead being satisfied that they are getting the experience they need in the W. Sure has worked well for us in the past.

And so that Kamilla won't have to translate:

Maria, мы благодарим вас для полностью ваши напряженнаяа работа и посвящения. Мы вентиляторы ртути знаем это будет трудное решение для вас. Мы полюбили бы для вас остаться в phoenix. Но если вы должны пойти, то угодить знайте что мы любим вас и всегда будем хотеть вас возвратить.

In English:

Maria, we thank you for all your hard work and dedication. We Mercury fans know this is a difficult decision for you. We would love for you to stay in Phoenix. But if you have to go, please know that we love you and will always want you to return.