Eurocup. BC Khimki vs. Cholet13 december 2011

The French club did all its best to qualify to Eurocup Last 16 but BC Khimki didn't give a chance to Cholet Basket and won in the very ending — 76-70 (18-21, 22-15, 15-20, 21-14). The next game our team will play within the bounds of VTB United League with Nizhniy Novgorod on Saturday, December 17. The beginning of the meeting is at 18.00 msk.

Best scorers: Loncar (20), Quinn (13 + 4 rebounds), Pushkov (13 + 4 rebounds), Fridzon (11 + 5 assists).

Erman Kunter, Cholet Basket head coach:

— I think we played a very good game and did a good job. In the last minutes we had a chance to fight for the victory, but BC Khimki was better. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to cope with our opponent and didn’t qualify to the Eurocup Last 16.

Rimas Kurtinaitis, BC Khimki head coach:

— I’m happy we won. It wasn’t easy to play this game after a tough meeting with CSKA Moscow. Our game was not very smart, but we managed to commit only 6 turnovers, which is a good result. From game to game Pushkov improves his skills and I’m pleased with him. At every game we have only one goal – victory and we have to play from the first to the 40th minute.

Kresimir Loncar, BC Khimki forward:

— Cholet is a good team and it was a tough game for us. For sure they wanted to beat us because they would have had a chance to struggle for the Last 16. We started well, but then relaxed. Our opponent felt it and punished us by going ahead. Eventually we took heart and won. I suppose the key factor was Chris Quinn – he scored difficult baskets and the whole team was good in defense.