The Frenchman practices with the team with no limitations starting from Tuesday, and the coaches staff consider it possible to use De Colo in a game against Croatian champions. Demetris Nichols is also physically ready: he also participated in contact practices and boarded OrenAir flight to Zagreb. Therefore the team did not need help from youngster Anton Astapkovich who returned to the junior team. Though the health problems are still here. Victor Khryapa and Manuchar Markoishvili stayed for rehab in Moscow. Besides, Sonny Weems and Pavel Korobkov missed practicing time due to minor injuries.
“Cedevita has our full respect because of the continuity of their club’s and coaching philosophy,” CSKA head coach Dimitris Itoudis said. “They try to raise the young players who match the lack of experience with their energy and enthusiasm. The opponents also have experienced players but unfortunately their roster is not full now because of couple of injuries. Cedevita has a lot of good athletes; they play aggressively on ends of the floor. They have some creators off pick-n-rolls like Gordic, Ante Delas and Babic, shooters like Babic and Pilepic, stretch fours and inside game from Bilan, and that gives them balance on offense. They started the season 0-2 and they will definitely be extra-motivated against us. So despite their record we don’t expect it to be an easy game, nothing is easy in our life, nothing is given. We will work hard to try to take what we deserve.”
“Relativity” connections
Don’t exist.
Past matchups
That will be first ever meeting of the teams.
