The signs are encouraging for the Russians with the European Championships in Sweden quickly approaching.

Andrei Kirilenko is back in the fold after taking time off following a hard NBA season with the Utah Jazz and the team is thriving with his contributions.

Russia beat Latvia 77-69 in Riga on Thursday but then lost to Australia 75-74 the following night.

Kirilenko, as expected, led Russia in scoring in both games.

He pumped in 24 points against Latvia and then had 25 against the Aussies.

Veteran point guard Vasili Karasev was also consistent. A player who likes to penetrate into the lane but can also score with short and mid-range jumpshots, veteran  Karasev had 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Results are not always the priority in build-ups to tournaments, so Russia coach Sergei Elevich changed his line-up after the Latvia game.

Only Victor Hryapa and Kirilenko played the both games from the start.

Fedor Likholitov played as centre, while at Zakhar Pashutin and Petr Samoilenko moved into the backcourt in the second game.

Sergei Elevich conceded to "Sport-Express" after the Australia defeat: "It was unsuccessful,

"We had a hard training in the morning and it was difficult to get them to play actively.

Only in the last three minutes did the team play well.

"If we'd have a little more time...but on the whole I'm satisfied with two games in Riga. We've been able to look closely at our reserve players."

He couldn’t hide his delight with Kirilenko’s performance.

"Andrei Kirilenko played well,” he said. "I can say it not only having in mind his 25 points in this game but also six rebounds, four block shots and two assists. It's a good result.

"We're coming back home and then will start in an international tournament in Istanbul on August 20.

Russia face Turkey on Wednesday, August 20, and then take on Latvia again on August 22.

The semi-finals are scheduled for August 23 and the final game will be played the next day.
Karasev says that he and his team-mates have grown in confidence because of their Riga experience.

Lessening the importance of the results, he said each game has had a positive impact.

"These games were equal and such games are very useful - boosting morale satisfaction and self-belief," Karasev said.