Forty seven in the dozen

The starting game in the VTB United League season can be special for our team because of post-American debut of Andrei Kirilenko. AK-47 boarded Transaero flight to St. Petersburg together with his partners today to participate in the game against Spartak.

Kirilenko addition was the only change in the roster in comparison to previous CSKA game. The forward took the spot from Andrei Vorontsevich who experienced back problems. Vorontsevich went through the tests in GMS Clinic, he was recommended conservative therapy and individual practices. Victor Khryapa and Dmitry Sokolov were also left outside the roster. Darius Lavrinovic had some pains in his hand but he was included to the dozen.

“Unfortunately, our practicing plans were damaged recently”, - CSKA head coach Jonas Kazlauskas said. “Injuries to Vorontsevich and Lavrinovic made us push Kirilenko to the position different to the one we used him from the beginning. It was difficult for him to study our tactical nuances in a couple of days and now it is even more difficult because he has to learn the plays for the other position. At the same time we prepare for the game against the team which did not lose a game until now, including exhibitions. Still I am sure that our team is well-motivated, me and the players remember that we lost in St. Petersburg last season.”