Eurocup. Lukoil Academic vs. BC Khimki23 october 2013

Having realized its scorer potential at the last stage of the game, BC Khimki won a very important away game over perennial Bulgarian champion Lukoil Academic Sofia — 85-79 (22-23, 21-20, 22-22, 20-14). The next game our team will play at home on Sunday, October 27, 2013 with Neptunas Klaipeda.

BC Khimki: Popovic (25 + 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals), Monya (20 + 9 rebounds + 3 assists), Gelabale (12), Vyaltsev (11 + 3 rebounds), Augustine (8 + 6 rebounds), Koponen (5 + 5 assists), Balashov (4 + 3 rebounds).

Rimas Kurtinaitis, BC Khimki head coach:

— As we all expected in our staff and our team, that was a very, very tough game for us. We came to Sofia ready to battle and I was sure Lukoil will not give up before the buzzer and this is exactly what happened. We lost at home last week and we were under pressure to take the victory in Bulgaria and get back on the winning track. The victory came thanks to our better experience as team and as individuals as well. We made mistakes, because we were nervous. The season in the Eurocup will be long and to lose two games in the beginning still doesn't mean anything. I expect Lukoil to look and play much better after a month or two and to qualify for the next round. I wish the team good luck.

Marko Popovic, BC Khimki guard:

— I would like to congratulate Lukoil Academic for the way they played and for their spirit tonight. I am very happy, because we needed that win and no matter it came so difficult, it was very important for us after the surprising loss at home to Ploiesti last week. I don't want to complain about the problems we are dealing with injured players and I don't want to comment on the opponent, but I know their coach. This is the school of Svetislav Pesic and I know how he works and what he knows about basketball. Lukoil is a team that will show another face very soon. For us, the road is long and tough, but we are doing what we have to do, we fight with our heart and we will try to achieve our goals and to defend our name in Europe.