The death of Uljana Semenova at the age of 73, following long health issues, has brought back memories of her single appearance in the Girona area. This women's basketball legend, standing 2.13 meters (7 feet) tall, played in Figueres at a time when top Spanish centers, such as Rosa Castillo, barely reached 1.80 meters. The anticipation in the Empordà capital was enormous even the day before the match.
Semenova was more than a myth.
The game, held on the first Sunday of 1988, filled the Figueres pavilion to capacity. Despite being 35 years old and having a diminished physique, including a deformed left ankle, Semenova delivered an unforgettable performance: 37 points, 18 rebounds, seven blocks, and three assists, securing the Tintoretto victory (65-80). The local team, Valvi-Adepaf, coached by Rafael Mora and featuring the American player Pam Leake (27 points), managed to hold on until the 25th minute.
Semenova's short stay in Spain, lasting only half a season, was characterized by the strict control of an envoy from the Soviet Government. Communication with the Tintoretto coach was surreal: the coach spoke Spanish to an English interpreter, who translated it to the Soviet envoy, who finally relayed the message to the player. This control was maintained during timeouts and throughout her movements in Spain, nearly two years before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Throughout her career, Uljana Semenova won the European Cup eleven times and 15 USSR League titles with Daugawa Riga. She also earned two Olympic gold medals, in Montreal (1976) and Moscow (1980). Her legacy is explored in the Informe Robinson documentary titled Colosal Semenova, released in 2019.
