BIO...
... of one of the most titled, famous and well-recognized players in the Old World...
Its rich collection has a variety of awards, ranging from the «gold» at two European Championships and many medals at the Olympic Games and World Championship to various prizes and awards, Ilona won in the very young age. But most of all, Ilona Korstine can be proud of the recognition and affection of thousands of fans worldwide. However, not everyone knows that Ilona generally can not be basketball players. After all, as a child she did a great variety of sports!...

Ilona was born in Leningrad (St Petersbourg now) in the ordinary Soviet family. Her father - Kalyu Korstin originally from Estonia. Mother Olga - Ukrainian. From the very childhood, Kalyu teached the girl to sport. In fact, it was her first coach. She tried athletics, gymnastics, tennis, swimming. And Olga is strictly following, so that sport in no way impedes learning! The first success for Ilona came on track - she won the second place in the race at an average distance in the championship while St. Petersbourg is already among the peers. True, the Korstine recognized that more loved a short distance! This is well marked so far as «ten» CSKA and the national team of Russia, probably more quickly all around the world runs at a quick break during the counter. Yes, and to protect returns to cruising speed. However, with gymnastics is not a novel - Ilona was too tall to reach the top level in this discipline. In ten years, the girl lost in the basketball section. Fortunately, she immediately got into the hands of one of the best youth coaches in the country- Kireyev Trzheskal, which brought dozens of brilliant athletes of the national team. The first training Korstine felt uncomfortable because her peers had already had the proper technical arsenal. But she really liked the new game, a sport, unaccommodating character became manifest even at an early age. Interestingly, in one group were Ilona, Maria Stepanova, Yelena Karpova, Svetlana Abrosimova and other now well-known basketball players. Progress girl is impressive: in just six years of occupation, it was the path from novice players to major league teams and the winner of numerous international tournaments, among them - 'cadet' and junior championships in Europe.

Especially memorable was the very first season in the adult basketball - in St. Petersburg of «force majeure» in 1996. The team then trained as a time Trzheskal. She invited me to his pupils. At that time, all Russian sports, and even more so in women's basketball have been serious problems with funding. Were mostly not for money but out of love for basketball. Ilona wages paid for only two months, another six months, she and other girls played without remuneration. Sometimes athletes do not even know whether to depart for another game in another city - not enough funds. But no one murmur. Once «Force Majeure» met in the championship of the country with formidable CSKA, in which the famous solo Elena Baranova. Girls from Peter, of course, yielded a much stronger and more sophisticated opponents. But after the match, Baranova herself praised several players from the «force majeure», including Ilona Korstine. At that time, Ilona was just very happy, and even suggested that once would make Baranova side by side in the national team of Russia.

Statements made in such a serious level, Ilona contrive to combine and learning. She studied at school with in-depth study of German. In addition to subjects like history, literature and physics. But from the sports, like sports and the pride of the school, was released. In some cases, teachers were allowed to meet and learn on an individual schedule.

Life and Career Korstin abruptly changed in her seventeen years. Her mother married a second time, and Ilona moved to a new country (France). As a minor member of the family, Ilona automatically receive a second nationality. Soon, the French coach of «Bourges» and Russian specialist Vadim Kapranov invited to try their hand at their command. This was perhaps the most difficult period in the career of basketball players. Ilona had not only from scratch to learn French, accustomed to a new culture, but also very different, more stringent requirements. While in the national championship of France, she is not considered as a foreigner, it is clear that with her soul mate, there is a big hope concerning her performance from coach Kapranov. In addition, it is like to use a great chance and a large foothold in the club, because conditions in CJM Bourges cannot be compared with those that were in the «force majeure». Through talent, hard work, strong character (and communication), she was able to quickly learn the language and gain in the team. Already in the first season of the game, Ilona attracted the attention of national team coaches and officials of the French Federation of Basketball. They wanted to get into their ranks a young, capable and unique athlete, even more so with a French passport. Snag was that Ilona had already played for the youth national team of Russia. To renew the so-called «sport» citizenship, that is to get the right to play in other national team, it was required to go through numerous bureaucratic procedures. And the main thing, the sportswoman throughout several years should not support the former country. When Ilona was twenty, she firmly decided: I will play for Russia. It was also a big opportunity to play at the highest level: at the Olympics, World and European championships. Moreover, with age, she realized that it is necessary to protect the honor of the country where she was born and learned to play basketball. Yes, and in the Russian Federation was ready at any moment to send her a call in the team. And since 2000 Korstine favors Russia.

In summer 2001, the Russian basketball players decided to try their hand at the women's national basketball league, and went overseas in the club «Phoenix Mercury», where stood an old and familiar - center Maria Stepanova. However, their career in America were different: Stepanova played a lot, and Ilona just an average of few minutes. The matter is that in female NBA there is a deficiency on centers, and here it is very difficult to defenders to make the way in the basic structure team. Over the ocean, other things being equal are betting on home-athletes, trusting them more. However Ilona gained some experience and, more importantly, realized that can not play worse (!), although the chance to prove herself to provide a little bit. Ilona even now has no plans to play in America, believing that the Russian championship virtually concedes overseas. Neither the level of skill, or on wages. And to play almost the entire year without a break looks not to be a good idea for Ilona. This affects both the quality of the game, as well as the statements for the national team.

Korstin returned to France and continued with Bourges. By the time she met in that country her favorite person - Eric. In her souvenir-box have been two victories in the championship of the country, and one - in the Euroleague. Russian basketball players interested in the different foreign teams, and it is even inclined to pursue a career in the neighboring Italy. However, all changed with the call from Samara in 2003. Rang familiar Korstine Vadim Kapranov, which at that time was to lead the Russian VBM-SGAU. Not immediately, but he did managed to persuade Ilona to return. He explained that the Samara club builds grandiose plans, and gather under the banners of their many well-known for performances for the national team players Russia. In addition, assured that all contractual obligations will be strictly enforced. Believing the coach, athlete collected suitcases and went on coast of the Volga, which in the future, has never regretted. Everything was as promised by Kapranov, although due to some circumstances itself Vadim Pavlovich never headed. But even without that guidance remains the same: the struggle only in the first place, both domestically and in Europe. The star even by the standards of the women's NBA. High and regularly paid salaries. And yet - the recognition at home and success in the national team at major tournaments.

Interestingly, in France and then in Russia Korstin never forget about their studies. At the home of Alexander Dumas, she graduated from college, and returned from wandering - Samara State Aerospace University majoring «manager». A good education, multiplied by the sociability and external data that helps to promote permanent Ilona favorite sport not only in our country, but also in Europe. So in 2006 it was officially recognized by FIBA «Face of Women's Basketball». In addition, she opened her blog on the web site www.sports.ru, which is very popular among fans. The girl did not exclude that one day education and a rich gaming experience will be useful, and it will show itself in the field of sports management.
After being European Champion with Russia, all of its plans were related to the Olympics in Beijing, where Ilona and Russia won the Bronze, like in Sydney 2000. In the summer 2009, after the silver in the Eurobasket, Ilona announced she signed for one year with Spartak Moscow where she will give her best for the collective to reach other successes!...