Pre-game breakdown
The win will help the Army Men finish first in the VTB League standings. Parma lost its chances to qualify for playoffs last week. The hosts’ potential success may influence the order of teams and help Tsmoki finish in Top 8 in case of Minsk side’s loss in St.Petersburg.
The Red-Blues went to the game in almost full strength. Leo Westermann (back), Victor Rudd (not on VTB League roster) and Alan Makiev did not board the Aeroflot charter flight. Nando De Colo and Kyle Hines joined their teammates after long absence.
Word to the coach
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:
It will be our last game of VTB League regular season. We respect Parma a lot, they have young team with a lot of talent, we had tough game against them in the first leg in Moscow. We are ready for the game, and we will be focused on finishing the regular part of the season in the best possible way because we approach it with utmost respect to the competition.
Past matchups
Wins-losses: 3-0
2016-17 – VTB United League. Regular Season. CSKA – Parma: 98-74 (+24)
2016-17 – VTB United League. Regular Season. Parma – CSKA: 55-116 (+61)
2017-18 – VTB United League. Regular Season. CSKA – Parma: 101-94 (+7)
Short dossier
Founded: 2012
Colors: blue, white
Home court: UPS Molot (7,000)
CEO: Alexander Bashminov
Head coach: Nikolajs Mazurs
Website: parmabasket.ru
Trophy case: Russian Cup winner (2016), SuperLeague 1 bronze winner (2016)
