Pre-game disposition
The Army Men moved to Kazakhstan right after the game vs Enisey by Rossiya Airlines charter. The away roster remains the same – Victor Khryapa and Pavel Korobkov will not help the team. The foreign player who will sit the game out due to the limit will be named later.
The game will be again played on ice hockey Barys Arena (translated – Leopard Arena) – Astana BC debuted here in last season’s playoffs against CSKA.
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:
We face another playoff-caliber team in almost back-to-back game on our road trip. I think Astana became even stronger this year, they became more athletic. The hosts already played official tournament, Asian Champions Cup, and they played well despite missing some foreigners. Now they have full team and they are dangerous opponents. We have to show the same level of intensity and match their athleticism. We have big respect to Astana as for any team we face.
Past matchups
Win-loss record: 14-0
Games in 2016-17 season:
08-Oct-2016. Astana – CSKA: 76-92 (+16)
29-Jan-2017. CSKA – Astana: 81-63 (+18)
Playoffs
05.05.2017. CSKA – Astana: 77-54 (+23)
07.05.2017. CSKA – Astana: 94-74 (+20)
10.05.2017. Astana – CSKA: 73-91 (+18)
Short dossier
BC Astana (Kazakhstan)
Founded: 2000
Colors: yellow, blue
Home court: SC Velotrack/Saryarka (9,270), Barys Arena (11626).
President: Valery Tikhonenko
Head coach: Kostas Flevarakis
Website: pbcastana.kz
Trophy case: 5-time Kazahstan champion (2012-15, 17), 5-time Kazakhstan Cup winner (2011-14, 17), FIBA Asia Champions Cup bronze winner (2017).
