RUS - In-form Kirilenko hungry for more Olympic action

KAUNAS (EuroBasket | Olympic Qualifying Tournament) – When Russian star Andrei Kirilenko flew to Europe some months ago ahead of EuroBasket, few would have expected that only a couple of months later, he would be playing in the Euroleague sporting a CSKA Moscow jersey.

But that is exactly what he was doing last night, as he notched up 17 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists iagainst Zalgiris Kaunas.

For those who saw him carry Russia to bronze at EuroBasket - recording 14.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game - his excellent form is no surprise. The third place finish ensured them a place at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and Kirilenko will be bearing the weight of expectation of those hoping the Russians grab one of the last three Olympic spots.

Following the conclusion of EuroBasket, Kirilenko explained that in spite of them being among the favourites to make it to London, he was expecting an tough ride but that a third trip to the Olympics was very much on his wish list.

“It’s not going to be easy. A lot of top teams are going and there are only three spots [available for the Olympics]. The Macedonian, Greek and Lithuanian teams will be there and that is already three teams other than us that can compete at the highest level. Plus teams from New Zealand and South America … it’s going to be a tough tough tournament.”

Kirilenko's first Olympics came as a wide-eyed 19-year-old when he travelled to Sydney in 2000 for not only his first taste of Olympic action but his first experience playing international basketball.

Even as one of the youngest players at the tournament, Kirilenko was already showing himself to be a star in the making, averaging 9.4 points a game. After Russia failed to qualify in 2004, Kirilenko would be back starring in Beijing, averaging 15.8 points and 6.4 rebounds a game to help the Russians to ninth place.
 
“Playing in the Olympics I think is the highest achievement that many athletes can achieve. I have been to two Olympic Games and I want to go to a third. I like everything about the Olympics. I like all the atmosphere and chemistry – not only in the basketball but all the sports united.”
 
To achieve the goal of making London his third Olympics, Kirilenko believes his team needs to experience a similar build up to that which they had before EuroBasket.
 
“I think we will try and have as big a buildup as what he had before this tournament. I think we will try and prepare ourselves for 2 July and be in good shape and earn the spot in the Olympics.”

It was a buildup that evidently paid off with Russia finishing the tournament with a 10-win one-loss record with their only loss occurring in the Semi Finals when they fell to France by eight points.

One advantage the Russians may have this time around is that Kirilenko is playing his club basketball alongside fellow National Team players  Alexei Shved, Viktor Khryapa and Andrey Vorontsevitch.

If the lockout drags on any longer, head coach David Blatt could have a core of players who have spent a large part of the season on court together.
 
But London may not be Kirilenko’s final opportunity to go to the Olympics with as he revealed to FIBA that retirement was some way off yet.
 
“We will see, I’m not saying anything right now. I think I can play at this higher level for three or four more years then I will think about when I am going to retire.”

Whether you let Kirilenko or his stats do the talking, it seems like opposition defences will have their work cut out for a while longer. And this includes the Lithuanians of Zalgiris, who will also be fighting for the last remaining Olympic berths.

FIBA