Kirill Temirov: “If only we had played from the very start the way we did during the last 20 minutes…”

How do you feel at the moment?

Of course, the mood is bad, since we lost. We had a chance to win today. But you simply cannot start the 1st quarter—or the 1st half in general—like that. If only we had played from the very start the way we did during the last 20 minutes, we most likely would have won this game.

What exactly went wrong at the start?

I don't have an answer to that question right now. We'll watch the video—then it will become clear.

In the second half, you underwent a complete transformation. What happened? Did the coach say something in the locker room?

Everything that happens in the locker room stays in the locker room. But speaking generally, we were told that we needed to be tougher, to show some character—so we went out there and did just that. Sad, though, that it wasn't enough to win.

It seems you never appeal to the judges. Where does that come from?

I once started in, quickly picked up two technical fouls, got ejected, and ever since then, I’ve decided not to talk to the referees. Now, no matter the whistle—whether I agree with it or not—I simply refuse to react in any way.

Did you hear Loko fans today?

Yes, a huge kudos to them for coming out and supporting us. Our fans are the best thing we have—our true sixth player.

ВThe series for third place lies ahead. Do you still the drive to win medals?

Of course. Now we have just one goal for this season: to take the bronze—or, ideally, to wrap up the series at home. We need to give our fans something to cheer about, so we’ll be doing our absolute best to win.