Gorbenko sisters: Our footballers’ victory over Ghana made our day 01.07.2010
Alla and Oksana Gorbenko are two sisters born in the Soviet Union but living in Germany.
The Gorbenkos barely understand Russian and during the conversation often switch to German. Yet they are always smiling whatever language they speak.
Alla: We were born in Kazakhstan near Kostanay town but when we were four we moved to Germany with our parents.
- How things stand with women’s table tennis in your new homeland?
Alla: Frankly speaking not very well. Nicole Struse was the most talented player in the national team, but she left and there’s no one to change her. Wo Zhi Dao is our leader now, she has Chinese background. We call her Dudu, she’s a sport! We need to wait just some time till the next generation will catch us up.
- What about the Gorbenko sisters?
Oksana: Oh, no, we are not good enough for the national team. 18-19-year-old athletes are a better choice. They play in the Budesliga Championship but in two-three years they’ll be quite strong.
- Will they be as strong as Jorg Rosskopf (one of the most talented table tennis players in the world who may rival the strongest table tennis athletes including the Chinese).
Alla and Oksana: (Laugh) We can’t say. Maybe.
- You represent the University of Duisburg-Essen. As far as I know Duisburg and Essen are two independent and rather large German cities.
Alla: It’s two-in-one. Our university is located in two cities. As for us we live and study in Essen, a really big city, cultural center. We also have handball and football teams.
- Oh, football! Women don’t like it at some genetic level. What do the Gorbenko sisters think about football, the king of sports?
Oksana: We enjoy watching the World Championship matches but only when our national team plays. The 1-0 victory over Ghana in the third match of the Group round made our day.
- Who are favorite football players?
Alla: I like Mesut Ozil. I like the way he plays football.
Oksana: And I like Thomas Muller.
- Young and nice-looking guys. That’s why you like them?
Alla and Oksana: (Laugh) But Michael Ballack doesn’t play. Frankly speaking we don’t follow the Bundesliga matches so much.
- You play in singles and in doubles. Is there any chance you play in mixed?
Alla and Oksana: (Laugh) No, our brothers are too young. I don’t think we’ll wait until they grow up and become pro sportsmen.
- Kazan will host the Summer Universiade in three years. Do you intend to take part in it?
Alla: Firstly it’s not easy to get into the German student national team. And secondly we’ll have graduated from the University by that time.
