Rimas Kurtinaitis, BC Khimki head coach:

— VEF is a good team with a great future. Our opponent has a good roster, and most importantly, they play consistently. I would like to give credit for Ramunas Butautas. They have fighting spirit and leadership qualities, Latvians are known for these abilities. They play fast aggressive basketball in defense, all the players are good shooters. VEF showed good results in the regular season of VTB United League and, in fact, it was the first team that had managed to beat BC Zalgiris before the New Year, when the Lithuanian club was at the top of the Euroleague. Moreover our opponent had a very good international experience, having participated in the Eurocup.

PRESENTATION OF OPPONENT

VEF RIGA (LATVIA)

Founded in 1958
Team colors: Black and white
Honors: Latvian champion (2011, 2012), Latvian championship runner-up (2010), Baltic League runner-up (2011), USSR championship bronze medalist (1960, 1966, 1991)
Arena: Arena Riga (capacity – 12500)
President: Maris Martinsons
Official website: www.vefriga.com