09.12.2003

BC Khimki 79 Racing Basket Paris 71

BC Khimki faced several disadvantages going into this game, as they had lost several leading players to injury (Vassili Karassev, Denis Karpov) and illness (Arseni Kuchinski, Denis Ershov). Despite these setbacks, the team stilll went on to beat Racing Basket Paris 79-71.

Both teams played with equal strength in the first quarter of the game, but after the first break the strength of the home team became clearly visible.

		Alexander Petrenko was the key player in Khimki's win over Paris

The key to the Russians’ victory was their tough defense played in the second quarter (22-12) and as a result Paris’ leader, Eric Micoud was only able to score one out of eight 3-pointers. The Russians continued the trend in the second half and stretched their lead to 17 points (60-43).

The French players attempted to get back into the game from behind the three-point line, but the Russian defense was simply too strong. Some nice baskets scored by Thierry Gadou and Marvin Stone in the last minute of the fourth quarter helped Racing to close the gap to eight points, but there was no doubting Khimki's victory at any time. The Russian club now is back in the championship-race for group B in this year’s FIBA Europe League.

Game-MVP: Alexander Petrenko

09.12.2003

Quotes BC Khimki - Basket Racing Paris

Serguei Elevich, Head Coach, BC Khimki:

“Our club played tough defense. We changed it from zone to personal and pressing. By this we forced Paris to make 18 turnovers. We managed to win after a month of constant losses. And I'm happy!”

Jacques Monclar, Head Coach, Basket Racing Paris:

“We played well inside, but we couldn't do anything outside. Khimki managed to use the potential of their leaders: Petrenko, Krasnikov and especially Vadeev in the first half.”