After the European Championship, I had great vacations, almost 2 months. This time I spent between France and Moscow. Managed to have a rest, to see family and friends.

A week ago I flew to Istanbul. Who else does not know, this season I'll be playing for Turkish club "Besiktas". The team accepted me very warmly. The Turks are very hospitable and open people. I immediately met with his counterparts on the team and the leadership of the club.

The coach of my team is Italian, we had also played several times against each other. Last season he coached the Italian team "Schio" which we beat in the eighth playoff Euroleague.

With some employees of the club and players, I was visually familiar, we met when we played against each other in the national teams. I like the friendly atmosphere in the team and the willingness of Turkish women to help me adapt as quickly as possible.

Now we are mainly engaged in athletic and strength training, the three American women have played in the NBA and will arrive in October. By training, I started after a complete medical examination. "Besiktas", as a professional club, working closely with one of the best hospitals in Istanbul. To be honest, I did not think that Turkish hospitals were so well-equipped medical facilities. There are many good doctors, reigns clean and tidy.

I really like in Istanbul. Here, great weather - 30-35 degrees and the sun shines every day. I settled into one of the most prestigious residences of the park and a huge swimming pool, where I spend most of my free time. Maybe that's why I continue to think that I'm on vacation, in spite of hard training. In Istanbul, a very interesting life. For a week stay here I have had time to visit a football match Turkey-Kazakhstan and the concert Jamiroquai.

On the football match Turkey 2-1 Kazakhstan 0 in favor of Turkey, I really liked this match on heat, there were many bright moments. It should be noted that the fans always sing and wholeheartedly support their team. By the way, the fans, "Besiktas" are the loudest fans in Turkey. I hope that the rest of our team will play at the same high level and win the European Championship

I was lucky that the players from my team speak in English, so we can communicate freely. The Turkish language is very complicated, some people in shops and restaurants do not speak English, so I'm always the Russian-Turkish phrasebook with which I am trying to explain. While I know about 10 words in Turkish, and I hope that by the end of the season I can speak more freely.

Now Lithuania is the place of man's European Championships, which I carefully watch. Unfortunately, the Russian national team game almost did not show in TurkeyTV, but I know scores over the Internet and sincerely happy for the success of our guys. I hope that the rest of our team will play at the same high level and win the European Championship!