During the practice on Wednesday Vitaly Fridzon cut his head severely. Just before the departure to the airport the team’s medical staff decided to leave the guard in Moscow – together with Victor Khryapa, Manuchar Markoishvili and Alexei Zozulin who continue their rehab.
“We expect a very tough road game in an amazing basketball atmosphere in Limoges,” CSKA head coach Dimitris Itoudis said. “The local team played just one home game this Euroleague season and defeated Cedevita, they also lead the French league right now and beat Nanterre in the previous game. Limoges is a very athletic team, which runs, rebounds, plays aggressive defense with full-court press, zone press, man-to-man. They have a variety of guards – Westermann, Smith, Amagou, Curry, everyone is good in many game aspects, creating for themselves and for partners, playing off pick-n-rolls or shooting pull-up jumpers. They also have strong frontcourt with Moerman at stretch four playing in different combinations with Batista and Plaisted; Boungo-Colo adds to the team’s athleticism. We know we should be focused for 40 minutes and come with great motivation. We are having good practices right now so I hope we will come to Limoges well-prepared and ready to win the game.”
“Relativity” connections
Demetris Nichols and Frejus Zerbo played for Gravelen in 2009-10 season.
Important numbers
Limoges will face CSKA for the first time since December 1997. Limoges has won two of its last three games against CSKA.
Milos Teodosic leads the league in three-pointers made with 15 and tied for the league lead in assists with 7.5 per game.
Kyle Hines is the league co-leader in offensive rebounds with 13 through and tied for the league lead with 7 blocks through four games.
Vitaly Fridzon has made at least 1 three-pointer in 26 straight Euroleague games.
Fridzon has made 15 consecutive free throws and Aaron Jackson made 11 straight in Euroleague action.
Past matchups
Wins-losses: 6-2
1984-85 – European Champions Cup. Third round. CSKA – Limoges: 101-93 (+8)
1984-85 – European Champions Cup. Third round. Limoges – CSKA: 69-81 (+12)
1988-89 – European Champions Cup. Quarterfinals. Limoges – CSKA: 78-85 (+7)
1988-89 – European Champions Cup. Quarterfinals. CSKA – Limoges: 116-97 (+19)
1996-97 – Euroleague. Preliminary round. CSKA – Limoges: 74-65 (+9)
1996-97 – Euroleague. Preliminary round. Limoges – CSKA: 83-66 (-17)
1997-98 – Euroleague. Preliminary round. Limoges – CSKA: 70-66 (-4)
1997-98 – Euroleague. Prematurely round. CSKA – Limoges: 83-70 (+13)
Short dossier
CSP Limoges, France
Founded: 1929
Colors: green, white
Homecourt: Beaublanc (5,516)
President: Frederic Forte
Head coach: Jean Marc Dupraz
Website: www.limogescsp.com
Accomplishments: Euroleague champion (1993), Saporta Cup winner (1988), Korac Cup winner (1982, 1983, 2000), French champion (1983-85, 88-90, 93, 94, 2000, 2014), French Cup winner (1982, 83, 85, 94, 95, 2000), Tournoi des AS winner (1988, 90), Match of Champions winner (2012)
