RUS - Kirilenko believes Russia can push for medal in London

MOSCOW (Euroleague/Olympics) - Andrei Kirilenko believes the Russian national team is strong enough to reach the 2012 Olympics and fight for a medal in London.

Before then, the 31-year-old hopes to lead Russian giants CKSA Moscow to a seventh Euroleague Final Four crown.

Kirilenko made big headlines before the start of the season when he signed a three-year contact with Russian giants CSKA in light of the NBA lockout.

The versatile forward carried over his supreme play from EuroBasket 2011 - where Russia claimed a bronze medal - into the Euroleague campaign.

Kirilenko has won Euroleague MVP honours on four occasions - the most by any player - most recently in Games 2 and 4 of the Playoffs in helping the Red Army punch its ticket for Istanbul.

After a hiccup last season, CSKA Moscow bested Bilbao Basket 3-1 in its Playoffs series to reach the Euroleague Final Four for the ninth time in the last 10 years and take aim at a seventh continental crown.

Kirilenko will be in Istanbul as he felt he wanted to be part of what he started and turned down offers from the NBA to return after the lockout ended.

“I’d say I felt sorry to leave the team I like so much, the team we were working so hard to build. I would definitely love to help CSKA win the Euroleague and all the other titles this year,” he said.

Aside from missing five games midway through the season with a left shoulder injury, Kirilenko has played an enormous role in CSKA’s success, despite a roster that boasts a good dozen internationals.

He is the team’s second-leading scorer and top rebounder while leading the squad in steals and blocked shots.

Kirilenko and CSKA will face either defending champions Panathinaikos or Maccabi Electra for a place in the Euroleague Final in May.

Once CSKA’s season is over, Kirilenko will shift his attention back to the Russian national team and its quest to return to the Olympics.

David Blatt's crew will face Korea and the Dominican Republic in Group C of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Venezuela on July 2-8.

Kirilenko likes Russia’s chances of making it through the OQT and to the London Games, where he expects them to have some success.

“In my opinion, Russia is strong enough to make it to London and to fight for the medals there," he said.

"We have to stay healthy and serious about qualification tournament first of all. Then we will see."

Kirilenko looked back with mixed emotions to his second Olympic Games in 2008.

First, there was the ultimate high of carrying the Russia flag at the Opening Ceremony.

"It was very special. Just getting into the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony already makes you shake inside," he said.

"Being in the head of the whole country, representing a Russian team full of stars is a huge feeling. I felt touched, amazed and inspired."

But then there was the fact that Russia failed to advance from the Preliminary Round group stage.

“It would be much better if we were a bit more lucky,” recalled Kirilenko.

For the Russian star, it’s pretty clear which team is favoured to have the gold medals hanging around their necks in London.

“I think that when you have Team USA in its best as one of the opponents you have to have a lot of luck to win it all,” he said.

But everyone knows Kirilenko will give his all. And usually that brings good results.

FIBA