By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
As much as it has become common this century to see CSKA Moscow play at the end of the season at the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four, so is to see its veteran forward and team captain Victor Khryapa there, too.
Khryapa appeared in his first Final Four in 2003, and now 13 years later in Berlin, is set to break a record and appear in his 10th Final Four. In the semifinals against fellow Russian side Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar, Khryapa will play in his 19th Final Four game, which is another competition record. Despite his string of success, Khryapa has only one ring to show for it. “In 2008 we won last time. Almost every year we reach Final Four, and it is not easy to win it,” Khryapa told Javier Gancedo of Euroleague.net. “We have a great team and a great opportunity. But you cannot underestimate the opponents. And the way Final Four is built, we have to see one game at the time. There is like two finals. Semifinal is also a final. So you have to win two finals to get to trophy.”
Hello, Victor. First things first, how are you recovering from your injury and how close are you to returning to action?
“I already played one game in VTB League. Physically I am good, just need to get in basketball shape and back to my teammates.”
You came back from a different injury in mid-season and were playing really well. Are you ready for whatever the team needs you for in Berlin?
“Yeah. I am ready for any role. The Final Four is a tough battle and you always need experience there.”
This will be your 10th Final Four. That takes a lot of consistency, from you and from the team. How satisfying is it for you to go so often to an event that some players have to dream about a long time?
“It is 10th time for me, and 13th for the team. It means we are working in a correct way, and we built a great team, not just for one year. A consistent team that is reaching Final Fours and shows, not only in the Final Four, but also during the season great performances. Of course, for me, I’m a part of the team and I am pretty excited to be in my 10th Final Four.”
Do you consider yourself like a link between the start of this great CSKA era, when you played your first Final Four in Barcelona back in 2003, and now?
“Many years ago it was my first Final Four in Barcelona. More than 10 years passed and it is always a different team, but always exciting. I guess I am the bridge between the old generation and the new generation. Only my friend [Sergey] Monia was there in Barcelona with me, but he is playing for Khimki and they did not reach the Final Four this year.”
You won the Euroleague with CSKA in 2008. It was a very special Final Four, celebrating 50 years of European club basketball. What do you remember about it?
“We had a great team. Almost every position had a star. Siskauskas, Smodis, Langdon, Holden, Andersen. All big names. But we were not playing well in the semifinals. Only character helped us win that semifinal game. Although there were not the strong teams like Panathinaikos at the time and Olympiacos – it was us, Siena, Maccabi and Tau Ceramica – but it was tough for us to play, anyway. But because we had a strong team, we won. The Final Four is always a special event because there is always celebration, there is always something happening. Always One Team events, somebody goes for the interviews, somebody for the press conference, announcing [All-Euroleague teams], legends are there. So you have to be focused why you are there, not only to celebrate and enjoy this basketball holiday.”
In the semifinals, CSKA will face Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar, a team that you know very well. After playing so many times in recent years, is there any room for tactical surprises?
“For me, the Final Four is always a lottery. We have been there a lot and we know things go there. This is why you have to focus on your game. Your game is more important than opponents’ game. Of course, everyone will do the scouting, try to specially prepare especially for their first game because there is a lot of time to prepare and you know who is your opponent for weeks in advance. Especially, us and Lokomotiv, we meet each other in VTB League and we compete here against each other for many years. Yet, we can prepare for the opponent, but all that matters is how you will defend and how you will score. This is the main point in the Final Fours.”
In general terms, what needs to be done in order to stop Loko and advance to the finals?
“I think the great defense is always a key in this kind of event, especially in the Final Four where only one game counts. You can be great offensively, but maybe not. But defense should be there and give you backup if you need it.”
With all your experience, do you take a different approach to the Final Four now, in the week before to prepare for it, than you did when you were younger?
“I don’t think preparation will change much. We know the opponent, we know our strong sides. And personally, I will do everything as I do usually.”
What is your take in the other semifinal, Fenerbahce Istanbul vs. Laboral Kutxa Vitoria Gasteiz? Will you prepare anything for any of these teams, just in case?
“I think in the Final Four anybody can win. Any of the four teams. Maybe if you ask this question differently, can any one team win one game? Yes they can. Especially Laboral which is playing great this season. In one game, they are able to beat Fenerbahce. Maybe Fener is stronger, but in one game, anyone can win or lose one game.”
CSKA is always in the Final Four, 13 times in 14 years, but has not won the Euroleague since 2008. What will it take to go the extra mile and finally win the Euroleague title in Berlin?
“In 2008 we won last time. Almost every year we reach Final Four, and it is not easy to win it. We have a great team and a great opportunity. But you cannot underestimate the opponents. And the way the Final Four is built, we have to see one game at the time. There is like two finals. Semifinal is also a final. So you have to win two finals to get to trophy. And play until then. This is what we learned from the past.”