Oleg Meleshenko knows he has a battle on his hands as the coach of Lokomotiv Rostov.

He has good players, but so does everyone else in Russia’s Superleague, and the EuroCup. In Russia’s top flight, CSKA Moscow reign supreme but with the infusion of so much money into the sport in recent years, even they are finding it difficult these days.

“Russia (Superleague) is, in my opinion, stronger this year than all seasons before,” Meleshenko told FIBA Europe.

“Russian teams are better, and every game will be very important, at home and away.”

The 2004 EuroCup champions UNICS Kazan were reminded of how hard it is each time they run onto the floor when they played at home against Meleshenko and Rostov on Saturday.

American Anthony Goldwire and Greek veteran Nestoras Kommatos led the way with 23 and 19 points, respectively in an 83-77 triumph for Lokomotiv.

		“	The EuroCup, for sure we want to go into the next round in the group.	„
		Oleg Meleshenko

“It’s a new team with new players, but now the guys are starting to believe in my philosophy,” Meleshenko said.

“I hope everything will be even better, we have a lot of potential.”

Kommatos, a 30-year-old, 2.03m forward, is a big-time player with a lot of experience in the Greek league who joined Lokomotiv right at the start of the season.

His performance - he also had seven rebounds and four steals against UNICS - suggests he will have a significant role in the team.

“He will be a very important player,” Meleshenko said. “He’s a very experienced player, he’s very smart. For this level, he’s very important to help teammates have a good season.

“I hope he will be in the right physical condition to be ready for the difficult games. For sure, I think he will help us.”

What Meleshenko has to hope is that Kommatos and his other key men avoid the injury bug.

While teams like CSKA Moscow have incredible depth, his team does not.

Kresimir Loncar (pictured) is still with Lokomotiv after averaging almost 15 points and more than six rebounds in the 2006-07 campaign.

The 24-year-old Croatian center, a EuroCup All-Star last season, had 13 points, nine rebounds and also blocked a shot against UNICS.

“Loncar is a young player and has a great future, but often gets injured. He’s had problems with his legs, but he is very important for us.”

There is no time to celebrate wins like the one over UNICS, though Meleshenko did say with obvious pride “Thank you” when congratulated.

The important thing for Meleshenko, and his players, is to look forward.

Lokomotiv’s EuroCup season tips off on November 20 against an as yet unknown opponent.

Last season, Lokomotiv made it to Round II under Aco Petrovic and narrowly missed out on a place in the quarter-finals, finishing third in their group with three wins and three defeats - the same record as second-placed Panionios who advanced instead.

“The EuroCup, for sure we want to go into the next round in the group,” Meleshenko said. “And then, we will see.

“It will be very important how we start in FIBA Europe. Everyone wants to go in the next round, and maybe the final four, but we only prepare for the next game and never look too far ahead.”