Top Scorers: Lampe (20), McCarty (14), Okulaja (14), Pozzecco (10).

In the game against Crvena Zvezda, which garnered the support not only of their fans from Belgrade but also their friendly fans from Spartak Moscow -making up a formidable section of sky blue-red — the stands in the Basketball Center were filled to the max. Khimki’s warrior spirit was lacking Gorenc, who is still in rehabilitation; Torres, who is now with CSKA; and the new players resulting from recent changes. The host team tipped off with their traditional line-up: Booker, Fridzon, McCarty, Veremeenko, and Wolkowiski.

After four unfruitful offensive attacks, Misanovic made the first score. McCarty then went after Gurovic, the most dangerous man in Crvena. The home team offered the visitors tough resistance to any attempts at shots from the arc. Nonetheless, the yellow-blues didn’t reach their objective during the first four minutes, when the Crvena had racked up 9 points. It was only after some down time that the zero on Khimki’s count was changed with a 3-pointer. Lampe and Pozzecco then hit the court, but coming up to the minutes 6 the visiting team had some seconds to make +12. Gian Marco Pozzecco attempted a second basket, which also made it from the perimeter.

The Russian’s period was over, and Coach Kemzura had already asked for a second minute down time, but the score quickly shot to 8-26, catastrophic numbers for the first quarter. It is difficult to describe the “super defense” of the visiting team, as the opponent simply did not score.

In the second quarter Diatchok gave a man on man defense against Milan Gurovic, and in the “trapeze” something started to take shape for the home team, while the rival began to commit more frequent fouls. Finally, Maciej Lampe scored, forcing Coach Sakota to call a time out. Lampe had been carrying the team along, and his strength did not stretch forever, and he went to the bench for a breather. Nonetheless, one does not get far on one’s own, and the Serbs scored upwards of a 50-point lead, with the little opposition that was.

During the second half the home team was facing off in the “outfield,” but the opponent dissolved this zone press without much effort. After the break McCarty woke up a bit, but really Khimki’s biggest weapon was Maciej Lampe.

At minute 24 the lead reached 20: 42-62, and after the break, Veremeenko, who played without much success that night, was switched for Ademola Okulaja, who immediately thundered from the perimeter line. He made a steal and forced fouls on the opponent. The visiting team, with a two-game 30-point lead, began killing time with the ball. Moreover, after the two duels, however there was no longer any doubt.

The last quarter was played as a formality. The yellow-blues understood there was no longer any need to give it their all, and in the start of the quarter they showed good game. Yes, they stopped and let Gurovic shoot as many shots as he liked (8 points in a row), and this sullied the last quarter’s lasting impression.