KFOR female team plays friendly basketball game with Ferizaj/Urosevac women

Photo By Pfc. Drew Balstad | Members of the women's basketball team from Ferizaj/Urosevac, Kosovo, who played on Camp Bondsteel Feb. 21, watch the action on the court during a game against a group of Camp Bondsteel players. (Photo by Spc. Drew Balstad, 116th Public Affairs Detachment)  

CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO

02.21.2010

Courtesy Story

116th Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Drew Balstad
116th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - An All-Star women's youth basketball team from nearby Ferizaj/Urosevac came to Camp Bondsteel Feb. 21 to play a friendly game of basketball against a team of top-notch female Soldiers from Multi-National Battle Group-East.

The game was set up by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation office on base.

"We are trying to build camaraderie and have competitive fun through sportsmanship," said Jay Debouse, the MWR sports programmer at Camp Bondsteel.

The office had previously set up a men's basketball game in December and decided to set up a women's game as well. They used their contacts with the men's team to find a women's team to play. The Ferizaj/Urosevac team, comprising 17- to 19-year olds, had come on base before to play past rotations of KFOR.

"I've played here two times," said Alberte Kurti, 17, a player from the Ferizaj/Urosevac team. "I enjoy playing here. I like the American girls."

The enjoyment of the game extended to the American team as well.

"It was fun," said Staff Sgt. Vanessa Imdieke, an American Soldier who participated in the game. "All the girls were pretty young. It was good to see their passion."

The Ferizaj/Urosevac team's usual opponents are teams from other cities in Kosovo. Basketball is a popular sport in Kosovo, according to Gentiana Ismali, 17, another player from the Ferizaj/Urosevac team.

The game was a good opportunity to help the team improve and come together as a unit. Ismali said that when they play the American girls they play with more "power."

That power led the Ferizaj/Urosevac team to a 40-31 win over the Americans.

"It was a good game," said Spc. Jennifer Greff, who played on the American team. "They definitely looked like they've played together."

"It felt good to win," Ismali said.

A men's game against a team of Camp Bondsteel men's All-Star players followed the women's game.

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Multi-National Battle Group - East is a U.S.- led task force commanded by Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann. This Battle Group is comprised of nearly 2,200 Soldiers, including Task Force Hellas and Task Force Polish/Ukraine. The charter mission of MNBG-E is maintaining a Safe and Secure Environment and providing Freedom of Movement for the people in Kosovo.

Please contact the MNBG-E Public Affairs office for media engagements or to follow-up on this information.

• Date Taken: 02.21.2010
• Date Posted: 02.23.2010 08:34
• Story ID: 45726
• Location: CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ