“We will play in traditional derby and second straight game against strong VTB League opponent,” Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach, said. “We have big respect to Khimki, they are now tied with us in the standing with just two losses. Coming to the game we have to express our desire to win from the very beginning. We should not allow our opponent to feel confidence running the open court or playing half-court. They have very active guards Rice, Koponen and Vyaltsev, they got back Davis who is the team’s point of emphasis in the paint. We prepare very carefully and we will be ready to fight.”
The Army Men practiced twice upon their return from Athens – on Friday night and Saturday at noon. Only Victor Khryapa was out – by the way he was busy with the Euroleague One Team event today.
Short dossier
Khimki Moscow Region
Founded: 1997
Colors: blue, yellow
Home court: Moscow Region Basketball Center (4.000)
President: Dmitry Golubkov
CEO: Pavel Astakhov
Head coach: Rimas Kurtinaitis
Website: www.bckhimki.ru
Trophy case: Eurocup winner (2012), Russian Cup winner (2008), VTB United League winner (2011), 7-time Russian championship runner-up (2006, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13), Russian championship bronze winner (2007), Russian Cup finalist (2006), FIBA-Europe Cup finalist (2006), Eurocup finalist (2009)
