BC Khimki 70 vs. Amsterdam Demon Astronauts 71

In only the second ever meeting between a Dutch and Russian club in European competition, the visiting Dutch team managed a one-point, buzzer-beating victory in Moscow.

The only previous meeting between clubs from 2 countries was during the eighth-finals of the 2001 Korac Cup, when Amsterdam defeated Avtodor Saratov in 2 games. Amsterdam went onto the semi-final of the competition before bowing out against Malaga.

Although Amsterdam defeated Saratov in 2001, they could not win in Russia. In this year's FIBA Europe League they managed a win in Russian soil in the most unlikey circumstances.

After a strong second quarter, Khimki went into the locker room with a 15-point advantage (43-28). In the third quarter they were able to maintain their comfortable lead, and were ahead by 13 going into the fourth quarter.

In the final quarter the Astronauts monted a remarkable comeback and got right back into the game. Trailing by one point in the last seconds of the game, Sergerio Gipson (Amsterdam) was able to beat the defense and pass off to Gintautas Vileita, who scored the basket and won the game for the visitors from Amsterdam.

Gipson finished with a game high 19 points for Amsterdam, while Vileita added 13, as well as of course the game winner.

Quotes BC Khimki vs. Demon Astronauts

Sergey Elevich, Head Coach of BC Khimki:
"After the first half, probably we were to sure of ourselves. Our players thought about the victory too early, and in turn lost the lead and the game."

Arik Shivek, Head Coach of Demon Astronauts:
"This was a great victory. Not only for our club, but for all of Dutch basketball. We understood that we were weak inside and at the half made some adjustments. I gave the instructions to the team to do what they could do well - attack from the perimeter. The Russians could not afford to lose the match to us and that fact played an enormous role in our victory."