Defender Lokomotiv Kuban Vladislav Yemchenko, commenting on the victory over PARI NN in the United League quarter-final series, told that Krasnodar was confident in his abilities in this confrontation, and also expressed hope that Loko would be able to succeed in semi-final matches with CSKA .
Lokomotiv Kuban defeated PARI NN in the quarter-finals with a score of 3:0. On Wednesday, the Kuban team beat the Nizhny Novgorod team at home with a score of 92:81.
In the semi-finals, the Red-Greens will meet CSKA, winner of Avtodor in the quarter-finals (3-0)
– Before the quarter-final series, could you assume that in the confrontation with PARI NN, it would be possible to solve the problem with a minimum number of matches?
Well, let’s just say we were confident in our abilities. The coach before the start of the series said that the first game is one of the most important. We played the first games pretty well. Nevertheless, three basketball players did not play in Nizhny. It also helped to some extent. We won. Then in the second game it was already easier somewhere. And then, when the series moved to Krasnodar, I think we were already the favorites. Nevertheless, in no case did we think that the opponent would give up easily, and at the same time we played rather well today. We controlled the game, but in the third quarter, when we took a 20-point lead, we relaxed a bit, and the opponents caught up little by little, but we continued anyway and we won. I am very happy,” Yemchenko told a correspondent.
— What was the key to your success in the matches against PARI NN?
I think it’s our defense. The coach told us that Nizhny moved the ball very well. I personally think it’s one of the best teams in the league in that regard. They have a good teamwork, some basketball players in the team are 5-6 years old, they are well played. So we had to play very well defensively. I think we achieved that goal in all three games, and a good attack comes from a good defence.
How will you celebrate your arrival in the semi-finals?
– I think not. Thursday is our day off. Again, of course, we are very happy. We have time to prepare for CSKA. I think all that is needed now after these matches is rest. Because the load in the playoffs is great: in a day or two matches, and with CSKA the series will generally be up to 4 wins, and you have to be physically ready for that. Now we have to rest, restart and slowly prepare for the next opponent.
— Is it possible to overtake multiple champion CSKA, or has Loko maxed out in the playoff tournament table?
Why is this unrealistic? We will try. Yes, this season we didn’t win against them, but we fought with them in every game. Of course, they will be favorites, but CSKA are still not invincible. So everything is in our hands. Let’s prepare, analyze the opponent’s game and fight each game, then how it goes.
Watch live broadcasts of VTB United League matches on and other holding channels, as well as on sportbox.ru and matchtv.ru websites.
Source : MatchTV
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