Eurocup. Lokomotiv Kuban' vs. BC Khimki27 march 2012

In a bitter struggle in Krasnodar BC Khimki lost 4 points to Lokomotiv-Kuban — 77-81 (24-22, 22-11, 16-26, 15-22), but due to two-game average positive balance entered Eurocup Finals. In the semifinal our team will face Spartak Saint Petersburg.

Best scorers: Fridzon (17), Kelati (16), Loncar (13), Planinic (12), Zhukanenko (11).

Rimas Kurtinaitis:

— First of all I would like to say that Lokomotiv played very well tonight. Lokomotiv coach Malkovic is a very strong strategist with great experience in such games. The battle Lokomotiv gave us tonight is an example for all the teams... As for my guys I would like to thank them for getting us to the Eurocup Finals. We are the host of the competition’s final, which imposed double responsibility on us. Tonight we have taken one more step towards our dream – winning the Eurocup.

Vilaty Fridzon:

— I am very happy to reach the Finals. Besides, it will take place in Khimki, so that’s particularly nice. We carried on our aggressive game in the first half. We started the third quarter great and took a 16-point lead, but after that we took many rash shots and led Ali Traore score several and-ones. Moreover our big players had fouls and couldn’t play with the aggression they did before.