Both coaches paired in Panathinaikos for a long time and won a number of titles in Greece and Europe together. They faced each other in Turkish League after, and Itoudis’ Banvit played confidently against Obradovic’s Fener. During the preseason Dimitris managed to beat Zeljko during Gloria Cup in Istanbul and now the student and his teacher will clash in the Euroleague game for the first time.
“First, I would like to wish Happy New Year, healthy year to everybody,” Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach, said. “Second, we play our first game in Top 16 where we have very tough group. We are facing an opponent, which is strong on every position, plays good basketball; they have experienced players and just added another point guard, Nikos Zisis, the player whom I respect a lot. They have one of the greatest coaches in the world, Zeljko; they have continuation of their philosophy, stability on the second year of coach Obradovic. This team plays very good at home in front of their fans, so we expect a big fight. We are ready and healthy, and we go to Istanbul to compete. We have long group stage of 14 games ahead of us and we are looking forward to it.”
Milos Teodosic boarded the OrenAir charter plane together with his teammates. The guard missed 5 weeks because of calf injury and started practicing with the team after the Christmas break. Victor Khryapa and Alexey Zozulin stay out for CSKA, both players recover after surgeries in Moscow. Coaches did not need help from Anton Astapkovich this time, the youngster stayed with the junior team.
“Relativity” connections
Dimitris Itoudis spent 13 seasons as an assistant coach to current Fenerbahce Ulker boss Zeljko Obradovic at Panathinaikos Athens (1999-2013). Together they led the Greens to 5 Euroleague crowns.
Kyle Hines and Ricky Hickman teamed up for the UNC Greensboro from 2004 till 2007.
Fener’s newcomer Nikos Zisis played for CSKA from 2007 to 2009.
Past matchups
Win/loss record: 18-6
1995-96 – European Championship for Men’s Clubs. Semifinal Round. Ulker – CSKA: 71-81 (+10)
1995-96 – European Championship for Men’s Clubs. Semifinal Round. CSKA – Ulker: 80-71 (+9)
1996-97 – Euroleague. Preliminary Round. CSKA – Ulker: 71-76 (-5)
1996-97 – Euroleague. Preliminary Round. Ulker – CSKA: 73-76 (+3)
1998-99 – Euroleague. Preliminary Round. CSKA – Ulker: 82-76 (+6)
1998-99 – Euroleague. Preliminary Round. Ulker – CSKA: 64-91 (+27)
2000-01 – FIBA Suproleague. Qualification Round. CSKA – Ulker: 83-88 (-5)
2000-01 – FIBA Suproleague. Qualification Round. Ulker – CSKA: 93-91 (-2)
2001-02 – Euroleague. Top 16. CSKA – Ulker: 86-80 (+6)
2001-02 – Euroleague. Top 16. Ulker – CSKA: 96-91 (-5)
2002-03 – Euroleague. Regular Season. Ulker – CSKA: 63-66 (+3)
2002-03 – Euroleague. Regular Season. CSKA – Ulker: 78-62 (+16)
2004-05 – Euroleague. Regular Season. Ulker – CSKA: 82-87 (+5)
2004-05 – Euroleague. Regular Season. CSKA – Ulker: 90-77 (+13)
2004-05 – Euroleague. Quarterfinals. CSKA – Ulker: 88-74 (+14)
2004-05 – Euroleague. Quarterfinals. Ulker – CSKA: 64-82 (+18)
2005-06 – Euroleague. Regular Season. Ulker – CSKA: 49-82 (+33)
2005-06 – Euroleague. Regular Season. CSKA – Ulker: 74-51 (+23)
2006-07 – Euroleague. Regular Season. Fenerbahce-Ulker – CSKA: 64-74 (+10)
2006-07 – Euroleague. Regular Season. CSKA – Fenerbahce-Ulker: 85-66 (+19)
2008-09 – Euroleague. Top 16. Fenerbahce-Ulker – CSKA: 48-66 (+18)
2008-09 – Euroleague. Top 16. CSKA – Fenerbahce-Ulker: 77-60 (+17)
2013-14 – Euroleague. Regular Season. Fenerbahce-Ulker – CSKA: 86-60 (-26)
2013-14 – Euroleague. Regular Season. CSKA – Fenerbahce-Ulker: 74-78 (-4)
Important numbers
CSKA started the season with 22-1 record, including VTB United League games. The teams winning streak reached 21 game in a row. Both records are bested only by the unbelievable 2004-05 season which the Army Men started with 42 straight wins.
Vitaly Fridzon has made at least 1 three-pointer in 31 straight Euroleague games.
Milos 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).
Kaun needs 5 more blocked shots to reach the century mark for his Euroleague career.
Aaron Jackson has made 15 consecutive free throws in Euroleague games.
Sonny Weems has made at least 1 three-pointer in nine straight Euroleague games.
Short dossier
Fenerbahce-Ulker Istanbul, Turkey
Founded: 1913
Colors: yellow, dark-blue
Homecourt: Ulker Sports Arena (13800)
President: Azim Yildirim
Head coach: Zelimir Obradovic
Website: www.fenerbahce.org/fbulker/
Trophy case: Turkish champions (1991, 2007, 08, 10, 11, 14), Turkish Cup winners (1967, 2010, 11, 13), President’s Cup winners (1990, 91, 94, 2007, 13)
