RUS - Blatt - We were good, still are good

SIAULIAI (EuroBasket 2011) - David Blatt has already won a EuroBasket - in 2007 - and the Israeli-American coach also reached the Olympics - in 2008. But the 52-year-old coach returns for his third EuroBasket and hopes to lead Russia back to the Olympic Games.

At EuroBasket 2011, Blatt once again has the task of leading a young, underrated side with plans on proving doubters that they are better than others think.

The main difference between the 2011 EuroBasket squad and Blatt's teams at the 2009 European Championship and the 2010 FIBA World Championship is that Andrei Kirilenko is back in the fold.

Blatt talked with fiba.com about the development of his team and how Kirilenko helps his squad in their push to return to the Olympics next summer.

FIBA: Russia have played well thus far. How would you rate the team's showing at EuroBasket 2011 to this point?

The team improves from match to match. We're getting consistent performances in every game. I can't say we're getting better: we were good at the beginning and we continue to be good.

We try to score the ball better every time. We haven't played great, but we haven't played bad. We've found the system to win and the system we want to use. So we've been on a steady small rise. That's good.

FIBA: The main difference for this team compared to the last two is that Andrei Kirilenko is back. How much does he help your team?

With Kirilenko we have star quality. You see, in big games you need that. Also he gives us a lot more athleticism all around the court, great experience and confidence. We can step on the floor against certain teams without feeling that we have anything to be scared because  we real quality in the team as well.

FIBA: The team is playing well as a team. Talk about the spirit of the squad.

The great thing about young guys like (Vitaly) Fridzon or (Semen) Antonov is that they came from the very small places - not Moscow or St. Petersburg. I love those guys because they're hungry, they're honest and they're humble. And they work so hard. They're great for the kids who watch performances of the national team.
 

FIBA