BC Khimki’s Head Coach, Kestutis KEMZURA, admitted that the home team gave a somewhat low-spirited follow-through coming out of the top off, missing some crucial shots while the opponent scored at a continuous pace. All this changed in the second quarter when Khimki pulled out its defense.

— Gian Marco was very useful for the game, when he came out on court, injecting spirit into the plays. In the second half we held the game in our hands and widened the lead. We were well aware of the points we needed to win. My opinion is that the last shot by Oscar was made at the split second when time ran out. Dynamo was lucky when Domani converted a difficult shot, and we were lucky when Torres made that magnificent 3-pointer.

Nobody, except Khimki’s players and coaches, as we know now, thought it possible to win the necessary points. How were you able to motivate the team?

— I was happy to see the team regroup after the defeat against Belgrade. Their spirit was stupendous and we fought until the end. The boys carried out the task assigned them for the game. Look at the statistics, how we won in the rebounds (corresponding to rebounds won). As far as I’m concerned, our “giants” didn’t let Papadopoulos play his moves, despite his 19 points. We didn’t let Monia, Popovic, Gill, “develop themselves.” Moreover, in general 65 points scored, with a team like that, is not a bad result, for our defense. Of course, with Travis Hansen injured, that is a serious loss, but our defense allowed them only 44% 2-pointers, taking into account that the average score is more than 50.

The petition of protest has been presented… If we don’t take the last moments of the game into account, what blocked the chance to win a general victory?

— It could be that luck was not on our side. I'm not sure it was at the end, exactly. It's possible the first quarter proved unfortunate in order to clinch a general victory. We don’t discard that “we didn’t achieve” those two points at game’s start. I'm happy with the team spirit, but sill think they have potential room for improvement in the defense, as in the offense.

For the first time Khimki attacked from the perimeter in minute 8, was this your indication to the team?

— We have a lot of basketball players that dominate long distance shots. But, I think we need to change the offensive accent on close shots. I told them not to waste time on the offense when the opponent showed a tough opposition, but if it was clear, there was no objection to this.

During the match there was a moment when Khimki’s players made twice as many rebounds, as the opponent, how did they achieve this?

— We have a lot of good quality players in the front line. A successful rebound battle is defined by the spirit of the team. We worked a lot on this point, and the boys, I think, understood they had to go for each basket.

The coach for Dynamo, Dusan IVKOVIC, recognized that his team was able to show a high level game only in the second quarter. After that, Khimki dominated the motivation and played well, showing their potential. The fundamental players for Dynamo were unmotivated. Certainly the difficult games against Efes and CSKA, in which the key player for the team, Travis Hansen, was injured, weighed down on them.

— I think the basketball players were psychologically convinced that a +17 achieved in the first half of the match was a comfortable lead. After the first quarter, which we won, the lead climbed to 25. Evidently we lost our focus; we were not prepared for Khimki to show such an aggressive game of such a high level. Now, our task is to motivate ourselves and give them a break before the all-important game against Spartak Primorie.

What do you think of the last moments of the match?

— I am sure that, with 0.9 seconds left, it is physically possible to receive a pass, high jump, land, and jump again to make a shot. I had to explain this to the judges table.

True, and later Vitaly FRIDZON reminded me of the occasion in the NBA that was broadcast by all sports channels when a team shot a basket and won despite the 0.4 seconds left to the siren.

Nonetheless, both coaches mentioned the situation, each according to their point of view after the game. Dusan IVKOVIC said the numerous security guards did not allow him to approach the judge’s table, to allow his clarification of the episode. However, on Tuesday morning, the Russian television station, “Rossia,” showed Khimki’s security had to intervene to save the referee, Alexander Goncharov, from an assault by Ivkovic’s assistant, Agelou Vangelis. As for Kestutis KEMZURA, he was surprised at the pressure Dynamo’s coaches exerted over the referees and judges.