Laura Saarinen – always basketball

Last night at the HyPo-EBT game, and in many other games I’ve covered this season – a familiar face was in the crowd. As Laura Saarinen, who plays for ToPo, was once again watching a game in Naisten Korisliiga.

Seems like she can not get enough of basketball, when not playing, training.. she goes and watches it. And I would not be surprised if after the game last night, she went home and streamed some EuroLeague games on TV 🙂

So I thought that it would be nice to ask her what she thinks of the early season in both Women’s and Men’s Korisliiga. Sounded like Vilpas and HyPo were the two teams that have impressed her the most these early weeks of the season. And Teemu Rannikko is her favourite player.. in Korisliiga.

Asking her what made her decide to play basketball, it seems like we have the Koponen family to thank for that. As Petteri Koponen’s mother was the one who got young Laura to take her first steps on the basketball court… and it has taken her all the way to where she is now. Something the two of them always remember to mention when they bump into each other at Susijengi games.

There also seems to be a trend appearing amongst the players I interview – they all claim to be great cooks. Laura is no exception.. and by the sounds can cook up a mean dinner when she wants to.. probably the choice of food drink might be six different flavours of Nocco 😉

She describes herself as ‘sometimes annoying’ on the court – but she also says that she is always encouraging her teams mates on the court – and that it is important that you enjoy and have fun when playing.

As well as having playing in the Naisten Korisliiga – Laura has also played in Spain and Germany… but, I have a feeling that there might still be another interview with Laura this season… so let’s save some of those questions and stories for that time…