The club from Estonian capitol does not count the history of the famous Kalev team which was winning in the dawn of Soviet basketball history – the organization was created from zero in post-Perestroika times. It is interesting that the head coach Alar Varrak led the Tallinn team in those game against CSKA five years ago. Six head coaches changed at CSKA helm during this period.
The red-blues had two practices after return from Istanbul. Those who did not play much against Fener worked out on Saturday and the team practiced in full strength on Sunday. Victor Khryapa and Alexei Zozulin are still out recovering after injuries.
“Kalev is a young team which plays with lots of energy,“ Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach, said. ”They actually have a good merge of talented youth and experience. We respect the opponents, they are athletic, they run the court well. The special thing about them is that their bigs Freimanis, Hallik, Keedus are the guys who play face to the basket, so they have the ability to spread the floor. They are very mobile and active on offensive rebounds, they lead the league in this statistic category so we have to protect our boards. We definitely want to perform well in front of our fans, we want them to come and support us.”
“Relativity” connections
Rolands Freimanis teamed up with current CSKA assistant coach Darryl Middleton for Girona, Spanish LEB, in 2011-12 season.
Past matchups
Wins/losses: 2-0
2009-10 – VTB United League. Regular season: Kalev/Kramo – CSKA: 63-85 (+22)
2009-10 – VTB United League. Regular season: CSKA – Kalev/Kramo: 87-54 (+33)
Short dossier
Kalev/Kramo Tallinn, Estonia
Founded: 1998
Colors: blue, white
Home court: Saku Suurhalland Kalevi Spordihall (6,000)
General manager: Kaarel Sibul
Head coach: Alar Varrak
Website: www.bckalev.ee
Trophy case: 5-time Estonian champion (2005, 06, 09, 11, 12), 4-time Estonian Cup winner (2005, 06, 07, 08)
