“We play against a very good team, well-organized and well-coached,” CSKA head coach Dimitris Itoudis said. “Our main point of emphasis is Reynolds who runs the team and shoots well recently. They also have Jelinek, experienced shooter, the player of Euroleague level. Zaryazhko also carries guard’s duties; him and Toporov are a very good defenders. Bristol and Berzins work well under the basket and add some shooting abilities to the team as well. Krylia are young and aggressive so we expect a tough battle. We had just one day to prepare after the game against Unicaja but we will take the next game very serious. Hopefully everyone will be focused and well-prepared.”
Victor Khryapa, Manu Markoishvili and Alexei Zozulin stay in the Army “hospital”. The absense of two Russian forwards before the game which will be counted to the country championship standings makes the coaching staff turn to CSKA-2 again. The U20 Russian National Team player Mikhail Maleiko will be added to the team’s roster for the first time.
Past matchups
Wins/losses: 21-2
Previous Krylia win:
2012-13 – VTB United League. Quarterfinal: Krasnye Krylia – CSKA: 50-49 (-1)
CSKA biggest margin of victory:
2010-11 – BEKO PBL. Regular Championship: Krasnye Krylia – CSKA: 39-79 (+40)
Previous game in Moscow:
2013-14 – VTB United League. Regular Championship: CSKA – Krasnye Krylia: 81-77 (+4)
Previous game in Samara:
2013-14 – VTB United League. Regular Championship: Krasnye Krylia – CSKA: 50-67 (+17)
Short dossier
Krasnye Krylia Samara
Founded: 2009
Colors: red, white
Home court: SC MTL Arena (3,000)
President: Sergey Saveliev
Head coach: Boris Sokolovsky
Website: www.bcred.ru
Accomplishments: Eurochallenge winner (2012-13), Eurochallenge finalist (2009-10), Russian Cup winner (2012, 2013)
