Dynamo St Petersburg have been regarded as one of the continent's rising powers since their amazing run in the FIBA Europe League last season.

Vladimir Veremeenko has been there every step of the way.

The 2.08m forward averaged more than 25 minutes per game as Dynamo went unbeaten in last year's European competition, and scored more than 12 points per game. He has been just as good this season under coach Fotis Katsikaris, which is why fans have voted him to the EuroCup All-Star Day in Lemesol.

In a candid interview with PA Sport on behalf of FIBA Europe, Veremenko looks ahead to the big event on March 14, and reflects on what has been a wonderful experience with Dynamo St Petersburg.

FIBA Europe: Vladimir, congratulations on your selection for the EuroCup All-Star Day. This must be a tremendous boost to your confidence?

Veremeenko: First of all, it's a great honour for me to be selected for such a prestigious event. It was a surprise for me as I wasn't there last year. And I'm really happy that I will not be the only representative of Dynamo St Petersburg there. Kelly McCarty will also go to Lemesol. I think any time when things like this happen, you get your own increase in confidence. So it'll be a good experience for me for sure. Though it seems strange that only McCarty and me will go to Cyprus. We have some well-known guys like (Darryl) Middleton, (Damir) Miljkovic, (Ognjen) Askrabic or (Andrey) and many others. I'm convinced any of them deserve to go there. And Katsikaris is one of the best coaches in the European basketball.

FIBA Europe: It has been a very good two years for you and Dynamo St Petersburg. As for your own form, in which areas do you believe you have improved the most?

Veremeenko: Last season helped me to be better on offense. I worked a lot on shooting. As for this season, I as well as my team-mates got stronger on defense. Katsikaris works a lot with us on this component.

FIBA Europe: What has the transition been like for you and your team mates in moving from David Blatt as coach to Katsikaris?

Veremeenko: When I first found out Blatt left Dynamo St Petersburg, I got upset as we had a successful last season, especially in the FIBA Europe League. But when Fotis Katsikaris started his work here, all the doubts were gone. Despite these changes,  everything only got better with the team, I'm sure.

FIBA Europe: Since Dynamo St Petersburg won the European title last season, has that won the club a lot of new fans in the city?

Veremeenko: It was of course a great success for us. And we got lots of new supporters. The image of the team improved significantly. But we still wait for more fans at our games and we do our best to continue to gain their love and respect.

FIBA Europe: What has been your best moment of this season?

Veremeenko: I have no doubts that it was our game against CSKA when we beat them. It was a memorable day for Dynamo St Petersburg.

FIBA Europe: Do you believe the narrow victory over CSKA Moscow marked a turning point in Dynamo St Petersburg's season?

Veremeenko: I do agree with that. This win made us believe we're ready to compete and beat any opponent. So from now on, the goal we want to achieve is to continue winning. And if we get fully concentrated and ready for each game, we'll be strong to fight for titles in each competitions we take part in.

FIBA Europe: Looking back on Round II, it seems incredible that your team qualified for the quarter-finals of the EuroCup when you had just one victory and three defeats. Was there a moment when you believed your team would not advance ahead of Fenerbahce and Nymburk

Veremeenko: I can't say there was any moment like that. Even when we lost to Fenerbahce at home, we knew it was in our hands and we had the ability to qualify for the play-offs. The main thing is that we really believed we could do it and we made it in a very tight game in Turkey.

FIBA Europe: Even though you went undefeated in Europe last season, would you say this season has been equally satisfying since your team has overcome adversity - ie, a slow start in Round II - to reach the quarter-finals? Has the competition in the EuroCup been tougher this year than last year in the FIBA Europe League?

Veremeenko: Since we won the FIBA Europe League last year, our opponents always have extra motivation when they play against us as it's always good to go and beat the current champion of the tournament. So each game is tough. And the other thing is that the number of really strong teams in the competition increased. There are no unbeatable teams in the world. It happened last year that we had no losses but more important is the final result. That's why I think we're on a good run currently.

FIBA Europe: Now there is a huge challenge that faces Dynamo in the EuroCup as your next game is against Maroussi. Similar to your team, Maroussi are also a very physical team with the emphasis on defence. What are your thoughts about the best-of-three quarter-final?

Veremeenko: The main thing for us is to continue performing confidently on defense. We know they play aggressive basketball, fight till the end. I think we'll have a low score in these games and it's possible that everything will be decided in the final minutes or even seconds of each game.

FIBA Europe: It appears your former coach Blatt may be the next coach of Russia. Would he be an ideal person for the job or are you surprised Russia would appoint a foreigner for the position?

Veremeenko: After (Sergey) Babkov was sacked, there was talk in Russia that a foreigner would take this position. Though I didn't expect it to be Blatt, as he has just left Russia (for Benetton Treviso) last summer. Blatt is a well-qualified and experienced coach. There are lots of good coaches in Europe and it's no use to discuss why the Russian Basketball Federation has chosen him.

FIBA Europe: Vladimir, you spend a lot of time on or around the basketball court. What other interests do you have?

Veremeenko: I'm very much interested in cars. But this hobby is mainly for spring and summer time as winter conditions don't allow to spend enough time with cars. That's my main non-basketball interest.

FIBA Europe: St Petersburg is a beautiful city known for its culture. Do you go to the ballet, or take long walks in the city?

Veremeenko: I just like to go and drive around the city. If we get together with my friends, we can go around the city to enjoy its beauty.

FIBA Europe: If you could live somewhere outside of Russia, where would that be?

Veremeenko - I think Italy or Spain - that's where I'd like in this case.

FIBA Europe: Who is your best friend on the Dynamo team?

Veremeenko - I can't say I have a single best friend in Dynamo St Petersburg. But if you still want me to name some, I'd say Andrey Ivanov and Denis Khloponin are the guys I spend most of my time with.

FIBA Europe: What in life would you like to do if you were not involved in basketball?

Veremeenko: I can't even imagine this. I have know idea of how my life would go if I didn't go in for basketball.

FIBA Europe:  Vladimir, thanks for taking time to answer these questions. We hope to see a 360-degree slam dunk from you in Cyprus at the All-Star Game, or a game-winning three-pointer.

Veremeenko: Thank you! I'll do my best to perform well!