The Army Men roster has been changed again, but positively this time. Manuchar Markoishvili started practicing with the team from Tuesday after missing 5 weeks because of knee and ankle injuries. Manu will be available for the game against Maccabi. Pavel Korobkov had minor injury to his left foot during Tuesday practice but thanks to the effort of medical staff he is not expected to miss any action.
Victor Khryapa also boarded the aircraft of Orenair, daughter company of CSKA official carrier Aeroflot. But it is too early to say that the captain is ready to get back to lineup: the doctors used the chance to consult experienced colleagues from Israel. Milos Teodosic stays in Tel Aviv from previous weekend for the same reason. The guard is also having treatment there, he will get back to Moscow with the team right after the game. Alexei Zozulin stayed in the Russian capital to continue therapy after knee surgery.
The junior project is represented with Anton Astapkovich this time.
“We don’t forget that we play against defending champions and we expect a difficult game in great basketball atmosphere of Nokia Arena,” Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach, said. “Maccabi is playing well lately taking 3 important road victories in last 4 Euroleague games. Pargo and Ohayon are playing well, Landesberg is hitting big shots, Haynes adds more threat from perimeter together with versatile wingman Smith. Sofo is definitely a main focus under the basket but we also have to face Tyes, a different type of center who is playing above the rim and missed the trip to Moscow. As I said we expect a real basketball battle and we will try hard to take the win home.”
“Close” relatives
Coach Dimitris Itoudis was an assistant coach at Panathinaikos Athens during the two seasons that Maccabi center Aleks Maric played there.
Milos Teodosic was a teammate of injured Maccabi big man Sofoklis Schortsanitis at Olympiacos Piraeus for three seasons between 2007 and 2010.
Jeremy Pargo played for CSKA Moscow last season.
Alex Tyus was a teammate of Manuchar Markoishvili during the 2012-13 season at Cantu.
Important numbers
Vitaly Fridzon has made at least 1 three-pointer in 27 straight Euroleague games.
Fridzon has made 15 consecutive free throws in Euroleague action.
Aaron Jackson has made 11 consecutive free throws in Euroleague games.
Despite missing one game, Milos Teodosic leads the league in three-pointers made through Round 6 with 19.
Teodosic needs 11 more three-pointers to crack the competition’s career top 10 in that category. The 2010 Euroleague MVP enters this week’s game ranked 13th overall with 266 career triples. Igor Rakocevic (277) sits in 10th place. Next for Teodosic to pass is Louis Bullock (275).
Teodosic leads the league in assists with 8.4 per game.
Past matchups
Wins/losses: 18-17.
1974-75 – European Champions Cup. Group Stage: CSKA – Maccabi: (CSKA technical loss)
1974-75 – European Champions Cup. Group Stage: Maccabi – CSKA: (CSKA technical loss)
1976-77 – European Champions Cup. Group Stage: CSKA – Maccabi: 79-91 (-12)
1976-77 – European Champions Cup. Group Stage: Maccabi – CSKA: (CSKA technical loss)
1980-81 – European Champions Cup. Group Stage: CSKA – Maccabi: 83-81 (+2)
1980-81 – European Champions Cup. Group Stage: Maccabi – CSKA: 85-74 (-11)
1982-83 – European Champions Cup. Group Stage: CSKA – Maccabi: 80-84 (-4)
1982-83 – European Champions Cup. Group Stage: Maccabi – CSKA: 69-78 (+9)
1984-85 – European Champions Cup. Group Stage: CSKA – Maccabi: 87-81 (+6)
1984-85 – European Champions Cup. Group Stage: Maccabi – CSKA: 67-79 (+12)
1988-89 – European Champions Cup. Group Stage: CSKA – Maccabi: 92-97 (-5)
1988-89 – European Champions Cup. Group Stage: Maccabi – CSKA: 94-90 (-4)
1994-95 – European Championship for Men’s Clubs. Semifinal Round: CSKA – Maccabi: 87-78 (+9)
1994-95 – European Championship for Men’s Clubs. Semifinal Round: Maccabi – CSKA: 92-89 ÎÒ (-3)
1996-97 – Euroleague. Qualification Round: CSKA – Maccabi: 89-80 (+9)
1996-97 – Euroleague. Qualification Round: Maccabi – CSKA: 77-78 (+1)
1997-98 – Euroleague. Preliminary Round: CSKA – Maccabi: 71-63 (+8)
1997-98 – Euroleague. Preliminary Round: Maccabi – CSKA: 87-69 (-18)
2000-01 – Suproleague. Semifinal: Maccabi – CSKA: 86-80 (-6)
2001-02 – Euroleague. Top 16: Maccabi – CSKA: 69-68 (-1)
2001-02 – Euroleague. Top 16: CSKA – Maccabi: 81-77 (+4)
2003-04 – Euroleague. Regular Season: Maccabi – CSKA: 84-87 (+3)
2003-04 – Euroleague. Regular Season: CSKA – Maccabi: 80-83 (-3)
2003-04 – Euroleague. Semifinal: Maccabi – CSKA: 93-85 (-8)
2005-06 – Euroleague. Final: CSKA – Maccabi: 73-69 (+4)
2006-07 – Euroleague. Playoffs. Quarterfinals: CSKA – Maccabi: 80-58 (+22)
2006-07 – Euroleague. Playoffs. Quarterfinals: Maccabi – CSKA: 68-56 (-12)
2006-07 – Euroleague. Playoffs. Quarterfinals: CSKA – Maccabi: 92-71 (+21)
2007-08 – Euroleague. Final: Maccabi – CSKA: 77-91 (+14)
2009-10 – Euroleague. Regular Season: Maccabi – CSKA: 71-54 (-17)
2009-10 – Euroleague. Regular Season: CSKA – Maccabi: 77-72 (+5)
2013-14 – Euroleague. Top 16: CSKA – Maccabi: 100-65 (+35)
2013-14 – Euroleague. Top 16: Maccabi – CSKA: 76-81 (+5)
2013-14 – Euroleague. Semifinal: CSKA – Maccabi: 67-68 (-1)
2014-15 – Euroleague. Regular Season: CSKA – Maccabi: 99-80 (+18)
Short dossier
Maccabi Electra Tel-Aviv, Israel
Founded: 1932
Colors: yellow, blue
Home court: Nokia Arena (11,000)
President: Shimon Mizrahi
Head coach: Guy Goodes
Website: www.maccabi.co.il
Accomplishments: Euroleague champions (1977, 81, 2004, 05, 14), Suproleague champions (2001), Adriatic League champions (2012), Intercontinental Cup winners (1980), Israeli champions (1954, 55, 57-59, 62-64, 67, 68, 70-92, 94-2007, 09, 11, 12, 14), Israeli Cup winners (1956, 58, 59, 61, 63-66, 70-73, 75, 77-83, 85-87, 89-91, 94, 98-2006, 10-14)