RUS – BC Khimki turn to Kurtinaitis

MOSCOW (PBL) – The primary aim of BC Khimki is to play in the Euroleague again.

The club, believing a change was needed at the top, have replaced Oleg Meleschenko with Rimas Kurtinaitis.

The Lithuanian, who wasn't retained by Lietuvos Rytas at the end of last season and moved to VEF Riga, becomes Khimki's third coach this season.

The Russian outfit began the campaign with Spain's national team boss Sergio Scariolo but parted with him after they missed out on a place in the Euroleague Top 16.

The team had put the team in the hands of assistant on a care-taker basis but have parted with him.

Kurtinaitis is best known for his days as a player.

He won an Olympic gold medal with the Commonwealth of Independent States in 1988 and then, with Lithuania, captured bronze in 1992 and 1996.

"First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to Oleg, who spent several good seasons on the club's coaching staff and, at a difficult time, wasn't afraid to take on the duties of head coach," said Khimki CEO Viktor Bychkov.

"We wish Meleschenko luck and hope that his career will continue to emerge successfully.

"The new head coach will be known to the general public as a Lithuanian specialist, an Olympic champion - Rimas Kurtinaitis.

"In 2009, he was with the Lietuvos Rytas when they won the Eurocup, causing for Khimki in the final of the most painful defeat in our history.

"Rimas is a tough and very hard-working coach.

"The aims before the team have not been removed: a good performance in the finals of the VTB United League, as well as the PBL championship which ensures getting into the Euroleague.

"We hope that together with Rimas, we can achieve the goals."

There were no hard feelings for Meleschenko.

"I want to thank BC Khimki for giving a chance,” he said.

"For me, it was an invaluable experience.

"I believe that the team has great potential and a strong composition and will achieve the best results.

"Thanks to everyone who believed in me and helped.

"I wish BC Khimki and Rimas Kurtinaitis success.

"I'll be sure to monitor the results and experience of the club, which gave me a lot in terms of my coaching career."

Khimki’s 81-70 defeat at CSKA Moscow in their last PBL game has left the club in fifth place with a 10-7 record.

Among the talented players in the Khimki squad are Russia internationals Vitaly Fridzon and Sergey Monya, Croatia national team players Zoran Planinic and Kresimir Loncar, Poland’s naturalized shooting guard Thomas Kelati and Spain’s Raul Lopez.

FIBA