BC Khimki’s upcoming fortunes look to have taken a serious turn for the better thanks to the signing of international players Ruben Wolkowisky (Argentina) and Oscar Torres (Venezuela).

The strategy is a new one for the Russian side, whose roster last year consisted solely of European players.

Wolkowisky a is coming off a triumphant Olympic gold-medal winning campaign with the Argentinean national team. The 208cm power forward is also no stranger to European basketball. He has suited up for CSKA Moscow, Tau Vitoria and Olympiacos as well as completing spells in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonices, Dallas Maverics and Boston Celtics.

Wolkowisky averaged 7.7ppg and 5.6rpg last year for Olympiacos in the Greek League. He was also a member of the Argentina side that won a silver medal at the 2002 World Championship for Men.

The announcement was a load of the mind for Khimki head coach Sergey Elevic.

Elevic told Sport-Express: "I couldn't reveal information on our talks with Wolkowyski before now. The problem was that it was better to keep in secret signing a player of such a level."

Torres, who has been compared to former NBA legend Clyde Drexler in both looks and on-court style, is in his first season in Russia. Like his new team-mate, he also has experience in Europe with Pompea Napoli and in the NBA with the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors.

The 28-year old Torres has been a regular with the Venezuelan national team since 1998 and averaged 14.4 ppg at the 2002 World Championship for Men.

Khimki will compete in the upcoming FIBA Europe League for the second consecutive season. Last year they were eliminated in the first round of the play-offs by fellow Russian side Ural Great.

The tip off their European season on 26th October 2004 against Turkish outfit Tuborg Pilsener.