In comparison to previous Eastern visits the Army Men follow their own European schedule. CSKA conducted morning practice on home arena and left to Sheremetyevo Airport to board Boeing of Orenair. The away roster stays the same as it was used against EA7 Milan: Victor Khryapa and Aaron Jackson stayed home to continue individual practices.
“Astana has changed the head coach recently and now the team has to adopt new philosophy,” Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach, said. “In comparison to the first game we played in Moscow they have Caner-Medley back, and he is very important player for them. Astana likes to run the court, everyone does it, from one to five, they have good ‘bigs’ like Mahalbasic, Andric and Calathes. We start the period of three away games and we have to be fully concentrated, we should continue working on our own game and think of the results too.”
Past matchups
Wins/losses: 2-0
2013-14 – VTB United League. Regular season: CSKA – Astana: 72-54 (+18)
2013-14 – VTB United League. Regular season: Astana – CSKA: 69-88 (+19)
Short dossier
BC Astana, Kazakhstan
Founded: 2011
Colors: yellow, blue
Homecourt: SC Velotrack/Saryarka (9.270)
General Director: Valery Tikhonenko
Head coach: Ramunas Butautas
Website: www.bcastana.kz
Accomplishments: 3-time Kazakhstan champion (2012, 2013, 2014), 4-time Kazakhstan Cup winner (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014).
