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by:
Javier Gancedo, Euroleague.net
October 7, 2010
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 The Turkish Airlines Qualifying Rounds have been nothing short of outstanding so far for BC Khimki Moscow Region. Five victories in as many games have put Khimki on the doorstep of returning to Europe's top competition. What's more, Khimki practiced together for the first time barely days before its first qualifying round game because several of its players and head coach Sergio Scariolo went deep into the 2010 FIBA World Championships with their national teams. One of those players was center Kresimir Loncar, who has been a big factor for Khimki off the bench in the qualifying rounds. His deep shooting range, post skills and experience have helped Khimki to get this far and put Loncar close to his own Euroleague return. Loncar last played in the competition way back in 2003, so having the chance again to face the best big men in Europe is a great opportunity for him. "It would be a new challenge for me. I am really looking forward to seeing how I am able to compete at this level," Loncar told Euroleague.net. "It is all new to me - a new club, new teammates, coach and systems. It is a major change in my life and I am ready to do the best that I can."
Hello, Kreso. First and foremost, Khimki beat Le Mans in their first game this week and got much closer to reaching the Euroleague. How important was that win?
"Very, very important. I think we played a very good game and showed that we want to go to the Euroleague - badly. We played hard defense and that was the key to beat Le Mans. We have been together for just three weeks, as some of us joined the team a few days before the first game against Caserta. We didn't have much time to work out together. Even with that, we played hard and have a good chance to go to the Euroleague. I think we deserve to be there and play against the best teams in Europe."
Like you said, it was not easy to play against Pepsi Caserta right away - but you managed to win both games. What do you remember about that series?
"We had to play really hard right away to beat them because Caserta is a very good team. The fact that Game 1 was in Italy made it more difficult for us, too. It was very hard for us to go out there and play. We managed to win that game and have made a lot of progress from that moment."
All the hard work paid off against Budivelnik, as you played really well, especially in Game 1 in Ukraine. Was it your best game this far?
"Yes, we already cleared everything in Game 1. We played really well and almost finished the job in Ukraine. It was not very complicated to defend the lead at home in Game 2. It was very important to start the series that way, of course, especially when you are playing many tough games in these three weeks."
You team has diversified its offense so far. In Ukraine, all 11 players scored at least 4 points. At home against Caserta, all players had scored in the first half. Can that help your team in the long run?
"Yes, definitely. The season is very long and my team is expected to play more than 60 games before the Russian League playoffs. We could even play up to 75 games if everything goes well, so the longer bench you have, the better. I think we have a very experienced team, with a lot of quality players and the fact that everyone can score is a plus for us this season."
Even when everyone can contribute, it is hard to ignore what Keith Langford did so far, hitting the game-winner in Caserta and scoring in double digits in all 5 games. How much has Keith helped you in the Qualifying Rounds?
"Keith is a really good teammate, a great person and the leader of our team so far. Like I always say, it is not only him, as this is a very talented team and some other new guys in the team needed some time to adjust. I hope that Keith keeps playing the way he has and that all of us step up, because no team can succeed in the Euroleague with just one go-to guy. I am sure that the whole team will step up and get a good result"
You have been really effective off the bench so far. Which role did coach Sergio Scariolo ask you in his team?
"I talked to him before I came here, because I used to play almost 30 minutes a game with Unics. I knew before I got here that it wouldn't be that way this season, as we have five quality big men in Khimki. I knew everyone would have his chance to do well, too. I just try to go out there and play as hard as I can. It doesn't matter how many minutes you play as long as you play hard and help the team to win games."
 You have not played the Euroleague since 2003, when you were in Benetton and even had the chance to step on court in the final against Barcelona. How important would it be for you to be back to the Euroleague after more than seven years?
"It would be a new challenge for me. I am really looking forward to seeing how I am able to compete at this level. It is all new to me - a new club, new teammates, coach and systems. It is a major change in my life and I am ready to do the best that I can."
Unics, your former team, was surprisingly knocked off the Qualifying Round by Spirou, that is now leading Alba. Are you surprised about all this?
"Definitely, I am expecting that Unics would make it to the Euroleague. They have a strong team with very good players. I was shocked when I saw that Spirou has made it to the next round. I am really sorry, too, because I would be happy to see Unics in the Euroleague. It would also be - if we make it - the first time that three Russian teams would go to the Euroleague. Unics will now have to play the Eurocup but I am sure they will win it."
Khimki is an emerging force in European basketball. If you finally qualify, what do you think is the limit for your team this season?
"I don't think we should think about limits, but about winning as many games as possible this season. Of course, if we finally qualify we will try to go the further we can. This team has really good players and a great coach. It has great potential and has showed it year after year. I hope that Khimki will soon become one of the best teams in European basketball - and that I am part of it, of course. We will make some progress compared to last season, because every game is important and every win means a lot for this club, especially in the Euroleague."
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