“We start VTB playoffs against athletic team that likes to run and to play fast basketball,” CSKA head coach Dimitris Itoudis said. “Nymburk can play small ball, can use big men, they have different ways to play, including use of zone defense. We have to be motivated and concentrated, we know the difficulties that can be presented in this series. The good thing is that the team practiced well and I see that players are dedicated 100 percent to what they are doing. We focus on Game 1 and we will use game-by-game approach. I hope our fans will come and support us in this series.”
Joel Freeland will miss the rest of the season with shoulder injury. Victor Khryapa (wrist) and Pavel Korobkov (knee) started practicing with some restrictions. CSKA-2 players Artyom Vostrikov, Alexander Gavrilov, Alexander Kurbatov and Mikhail Maleyko as well as Alexander Gankevich who got back from playing on rent are also involved into practices.
“Relatility” connection
Joel Freeland and Jiri Welsch played for Unicaja in 2009-10 season.
Past matchups
Wins-losses: 7-1
VTB United League. 20.10.2011: CSKA – Nymburk: 80-69 (+11)
VTB United League. 07.03.2012: Nymburk – CSKA: 79-60 (-19)
VTB United League. 11.11.2012: CSKA – Nymburk: 84-75 (+9)
VTB United League. 17.03.2013: Nymburk – CSKA: 63-76 (+13)
VTB United League. 14.12.2014: Nymburk – CSKA: 73-86 (+13)
VTB United League. 30.03.2015: CSKA – Nymburk: 102-67 (+35)
VTB United League. 22.11.2015: CSKA – Nymburk: 119-68 (+51)
VTB United League. 20.12.2015: Nymburk – CSKA: 66-86 (+20)
Short dossier
Nymburk, Czech Republic
Founded: 1929
Colors: red, white
Home court for the game: Královka Praha 7 (3.000)
President: Miroslav Jansta
Head coach: Ronen Ginsburg
Website: www.basket-nymburk.cz
Trophy case: 12-time Czech champion (2004-15), 11-time Czech Cup winner (2004, 2005, 2007-15)
