“We are starting our official season after finishing our preseason with some absences,” CSKA head coach Dimitris Itoudis said. “This is life and we know how to deal with it. We are approaching the game against Bisons with due respect and concentration. They’ve already started the season, won two games in Finnish League, and we scouted these games as well as some friendlies. The opponents are a high-scoring team, they had 93 points in one of the games, they like to run and transition offense is their top-priority. Bisons have some good creative guards like Johnson, Nikkarinen, they now have Nuutinen back. The team from Finland also plays aggressive defense with clear understanding of their defensive system. Still we want to start our season positively, especially on our home court.”
The Army Men roster has one change in comparison to the Gomelsky Cup: Sonny Weems got back to practices with the team. Nando De Colo and Victor Khryapa continue to practice individually.
Short dossier
Bisons Loimaa, Finland
Founded: 1964
Colors: red, white
Home arena: Helsingin Jaahalli (8.200 seats)
President: Marko Toivalo
Head coach: Greg Gibson
Website: www.bisons.fi
Accomplishments: 2-time Finnish champion (2011-12, 2012-13)
