OLYM – It’s all about the team for Andrei

LONDON (Olympics) - Andrei Kirilenko has scaled the heights before, capturing a EuroBasket gold medal in 2007 and earning the honor of tournament MVP.

He’s won numerous honors in his long and famous career.

Nothing pleases him more than to find success with his teams.

The great Russian did that on Sunday, with his national team beating Argentina in a thrilling bronze-medal game.

Kirilenko scored 20 points and corralled eight rebounds but the only numbers he cared about were those in the final score.

They were 81 for Russia and 77 for Argentina.

He spoke after the game.

FIBA: That was a great win, Andrei, one of the best of your career, no doubt?
Kirilenko: We were a little disappointed with the Semi-Final. I felt like in the second half, that's what we were supposed to do today. In the tough moments, when Argentina scored a couple of threes, we didn't give up.
 

We stayed with our offense, we stayed with our aggressive defense. And finally, we've been able to pull it off, what we weren't able to do in the Semi-Final. We're very proud of our game and happy to win the bronze medal. It feels like gold.

FIBA: Your leg was hurting in the Semi-Final defeat to Spain. How does it feel now?
Kirilenko: It feels great.

FIBA: The Soviet Union won a lot of Olympic medals, but this is a first for Russia.
Kirilenko: Yes, we're really happy. In the old Soviet teams, we had some Lithuanians, so (smiles). I'm very happy. (Now) We might have a lack of something, but I think we definitely don't have a lack of work, all of these guys fighting for the ball.

FIBA: Will coach David Blatt remain in charge?
Kirilenko: (smiles) He knows what he is doing. I definitely want him to stay. Why should I not? Look at our results. We won gold in 2007, bronze in 2011 (both EuroBaskets) and now bronze here.

FIBA: Does it feel like you are adding another honor to your huge collection?
Kirilenko: It's definitely a huge, huge deal but if I were 23 years old, I'd be happy just to get that medal for my collection but right now, I'm more happy with the team priorities.

I've got a lot of individual awards and it doesn't mean anything if you team doesn't win it, or your team doesn't finish on top. Right now, no one can say we suck. We have a face, good composure and other teams don't like to play us. That's what I know.

FIBA: Argentina were awkward opponents?
Kirilenko: They have a huge legacy behind them, 2004 Olympic champions, 2008 the bronze medal. Manu (Ginobili), Luis (Scola), Carlos Delfino - all those guys are examples for the generations. Today we played a very, very experienced, veteran team. In the crunch moments, they started making those shots.

FIBA: Alexey Shved stepped up and hit the vital three-pointer. What do you think about that?
Kirilenko: I called it again. Remember for the game against Brazil? I told Fridzon he should take it. This time, Alexey.

FIBA