BC Khimki General Director Victor BYCHKOV kicked off the evening by thanking all who showed in interest in coming, and recognizing that the team plays first and foremost for the fans, whose support helped them to victory. He also announced that the club members were ready to answer all questions, even the most biting.

Coach, since you arrived to Khimki, the team has had some beautiful victories, and compared to the two defeats at the hands of Crvena Zvezda, they seem like a fiasco. How do you explain these?


— Kestutis KEMZURA: Honestly speaking, I had hoped to not answer that question. It just didn’t happen. The match in Belgrade was only the second for me as Khimki coach, and it was difficult to make any game changes for the team. There were high expectations for the rematch, hoping to give a good game and win. The rival, however, was lucky, brutal and correct in their tactics. I can’t say we were not prepared for that. Maybe the players unable to lead, and with the weight of responsibility to win, this might have lost them the beginning of the quarter 0-7.The total for both games, the 7 became -19, and psychologically we were not able to handle this well.

Vladimir, why did you change your number this season?

— Vladimir VEREMEENKO: I usually play in No. 12, but I knew that in Khimki Levter wore that jersey. When Roman went to Spartak I asked the administration if I could have that number, and since they told me that it wasn’t a problem, I now have jersey Nº 12.


You played in all the four corners of Europe and in the US. How do foreign fans differ from Russian fans and Khimki fans?

— KK: The players met with fans from other teams. In Italy the “tifosi” are very rude, and throw different objects against the opposing team. I think that in general, people who love basketball are more educated than those of other sports. Which is why it is even more offensive when in my own country, during the Kaunas game, such an incident almost ruined the match. I am sure Khimki’s fans are better, and am happy for their support and their behavior when their team is not doing so well.

— Kelly McCARTY: I played in the US, Europe and I think the Russian fans are great. In St. Petersburg, where I played last year, as well as here in Khimki, they give us a warm welcome.

— Maciej LAMPE: This is my first year in Russia and I like how they act in the stands. The fans understand basketball, and know when the team needs their support, the “pressure from the stands.”

When Vitaly FRIDZON took the mic, the hall erupted in applause and he could not speak for awhile: You yourselves just answered your own question. For almost three seasons in the team, I have reached the conclusion that the fans are the best. Thanks” I immediately agreed to come to this meeting, even it being a weekend.


— Melvin BOOKER: I played in the US, in Europe –Italy — and in Turkey. You know what has to be done when the team is in offense and when in defense and understand the necessary moment when support is important. Thanks for the victories!


— VV: I played in Saratov, in St. Petersburg and her, and everywhere fans are good, but playing in Khimki is great. First, the hall is always filled even for games that are not so important from the standpoint of a tournament. Second, the fans that come to the game, know it well.

— Rubén WOLKOWYSKI: What I like most is that the fans don’t turn their backs when the going gets tough, even when things are bad. That is the best support an athlete can rely on.

Will all the current players remain on the team?

— VB: For now, for the upcoming season, the championship rules will change in Russia. The number of foreigners that can be included in the club will be less. Moreover, for the next championship Vladimir Veremeenko will lose his status as a Russian basketball payer, as he will go on to play for the Belarus National Team. We are taking care of next year’s roster. I think the change with CSKA was successful: Torres, who didn’t have enough game time, and Diatchok, who appears from game to game. Also Shabalkin will hit the court, and one of the best and youngest playmakers in Russia, Shved. We can’t forget that we have long term contracts with young players on loan: Ershov, Karaulov, and Karavaev, all of whom have the right to remain in our club over next season.

Karaulov playes in Standart. He gets a lot of game time there, but the team always loses. What do you think about this, does it affect him negatively on a psychological level?

— KK: It will build his character. If the defeats break him, then he does not have the pasta go be on our team. I want psychologically strong players in Khimki.


Maciej, you like pickles a lot. Where do you find the best ones?

— ML: In Russia of course! I found some in and around Khimki, where I buy the best ones.


In response to a question about the level of Russian spoken by the foreigners, each of them who were present spoke a few words in Russian, but Vitaly Fridzon said that for the most part conversations are in the international basketball language of English. Coach Kestutis Kemzura admitted that they call Kelly McCarty Kolya Makarov.


Vitaly, can you proudly say you are from Khimki? Not only as a player on the team, but as an inhabitant of the city?

— VF: I think so. Khimki is better than Moscow, everything is near and the traffic is much less than in the capital. The weather is getting better and makes you want to hit the streets.

— KK: Is there time for that?


Ruben, you have been with Maradona in the Davis Cup Finals between Russia and Argentina, how did you take your defeat?

— RW: I know Diego for more than six years now. Many Argentines came to Moscow to cheer for their team. The defeat made me sad a bit, but I enjoyed the game


The players spoke of how they spend their free time: Wolkowyski loves to fish; Veremeenko likes to hang out with friends; Booker is a movie buff and loves music, the Internet, and his Playstation; Fridzon listens to music, and likes to sleep, take a drive, and do chores around the home; McCarty plays gold and watches sports on TV; Lampe likes new movie releases and the Internet.


We have hopes that the team this year, as it did last year, will go on to the finals. We have the support for that…

— KK: Thank you for the support from the stands and for turning out today to meet with us. Your support is always important for us. There are days when just everything gets out of hand, the ball misses the net, and nothing can be done, trying to give it your best shot, and dying on the court. At that crucial moment, the bleachers help out a lot and we are really thankful for that.