“We perfectly understand the importance of upcoming game,” CSKA head coach Dimitris Itoudis said. “The game decides the fate of the first place in the regular season and home-court advantage in playoffs. We recently played against Nizhny, we know their strength and we will go on the floor to fight like lions through all 40 minutes. I ask the fans to come and support us.”
The Army Men coaching staff has all players available for the game with exception of Ivan Strebkov who participates in the international tournament in Netherlands together with CSKA junior team. The decision on 12 players in the roster will be taken on the game day.
“Relativity” connection
CSKA forward Pavel Korobkov spent the previous two seasons playing for Nizhny Novgorod.
Dimitriy Khvostov was a teammate of CSKA Moscow guard Vitaly Fridzon at Khimki Moscow Region from 2011 through 2013.
Dmitry Golovin played for CSKA-2 from 2005 to 2007.
Past matchups
Win-loss record: 11-2
03.01.2011. BEKO PBL: N.Novgorod – CSKA: 60-95 (+35)
22.01.2011. BEKO PBL: CSKA – N.Novgorod: 85-53 (+35)
13.04.2011. BEKO PBL: N.Novgorod – CSKA: 94-89 ÎÒ (-5)
06.09.2011. BEKO PBL: N.Novgorod – CSKA: 62-79 (+17)
01.04.2011. BEKO PBL: CSKA – N.Novgorod: 97-53 (+44)
02.12.2012. VTB United League. CSKA – N.Novgorod: 83-60 (+23)
03.03.2013. VTB United League. N.Novgorod – CSKA: 70-68 (-2)
09.06.2014. VTB United League. Finals. N.Novgorod – CSKA: 54-65 (+11)
10.06.2014. VTB United League. Finals. N.Novgorod – CSKA: 59-86 (+27)
13.06.2014. VTB United League. Finals. CSKA – N.Novgorod: 82-66 (+16)
21.12.2013. VTB United League. N.Novgorod – CSKA: 59-84 (+25)
29.01.2015. Euroleague. Top 16. CSKA – N.Novgorod: 103-95 ÎÒ (+8)
27.03.2015. Euroleague. Top 16. N.Novgorod – CSKA: 82-86 (+4)
Short dossier
Nizhny Novgorod
Founded: 2000
Colors: white, black
Homecourt: Labor Unions Palace of Sports (5,000)
President: Dmitry Svatkovsky
Head coach: Ainars Bagatskis
Website: www.nn-basket.ru
Accomplishments: VTB United League runner-ups (2014), Russian Championship runner-up (2014), Superleague B champion (2010), Russian Cup finalists (2011)
