Karina Berikova: “I had a chance to play in Spain”

Karina Berikova: “I had a chance to play in Spain”

17 June 2025, 10:13
One of the most talented players of Kazakhstani new generation Karina Berikova in her interview with the KFF press service told about start of her football career in the city of Taraz, why she didn't move to Spain, what role played the family on her way, and about her foreign career in the Turkish club “Bornova Hitabspor”.

- Karina, would you tell us how football came into your life?

- I come from Taraz, and that's where my story began. As a child, I often ran out to the field in the early morning with a ball in my hands. Over time, a team of boys started practicing on the same field. I would watch them practicing, wait until they finished, and only then would go out to kick the ball. Once it was noticed by the coach (Ivan Mikhailovich Ilnitsky, the first coach of Bauyrzhan Islamkhan, Bakhtier Zainutdinov and Galymzhan Kenzhebek). He approached me and invited me to a full training session. From that moment and my path in football began.

- In 2019, RCD Espanyol organized a talent selection in Kazakhstan, it seems you were there too. How did it all end? Have you been on an internship in Spain?

- In 2019 I had a great opportunity - Spanish specialists came to Kazakhstan. I passed the selection and received an invitation for a month-long selection in Spain. It was an incredible experience: training, level, atmosphere - everything inspired and energized for more work.

I returned home to pack my bags and was getting ready to move to Spain. But just at that moment the pandemic started - the borders were closed and plans had to be postponed.
Definetely, it was a bit frustrating, because the chance was very close. But I didn't give up - I just continued to work even harder and look for new opportunities.

- Your father, in his interview, only supported you and helped you in every possible way to build your career?

- From the very beginning, my family has been by my side. Especially my dad, who always supported me, regardless of the circumstances. Even in the most difficult moments - after two serious injuries - they did not let me give up. On the contrary, they did everything to make me return to the field even stronger, with new goals and motivation.

- Since this season you have played for the Turkish FC ''Bornova Hitabspor''. How did this chance appear? Did you have any doubts about moving to a foreign club?

- Adaptation was easy - I had no doubts or fears about moving abroad. I have always dreamed of trying in foreign championship, and the Turkish Super League gave me a great opportunity.

- Talking about the national team. Before the decisive match against Luxembourg our team looked bright and it seemed that we could fulfill the task in the UEFA Nations League. What do you think did not work out in that game? Would you say that the early penalty had a big impact on the course of events?

- We had a good training camp and approached the game in good shape. I think the team was well prepared, and everyone had a fighting spirit. The match against Luxembourg was very important for us - we knew that it would not be easy.

Unfortunately, we failed to win. Moreover, at the beginning of the game there were only ten of us. But despite the minority, we continued to fight. We opened the score and held on until the very end. Each of us did our best.

We will make conclusions and become only stronger.

- Do you have a global goal with the national team and club career?

- The main goal remains unchanged - to play in one of the top-5 European leagues. I am ready to work, fight and go to this dream step by step.

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