At the 2008 Olympics, the Russian roster consisted of strong players. In the first match they defeated Iran, but then lost to Croatia, Lithuania, Australia and Argentina. In the group phase Russia took the fifth position and finished their performance. At EuroBasket 2009, Russia was without its leader Kirilenko and Holden for personal reasons, and Victor Khryapa due to injury. They were replaced by young players Fedor Dmitriev, Egor Vyaltsev and Kelly McCarty. The Russians still managed to reach the quarterfinals, but were eventually eliminated by Serbia, to finish 7th place in the tournament.