Pre-game breakdown
Mikhail Kulagin continues his post-injury rehab. Joel Bolomboy is still waiting for the decision on his Russian citizenship.
Andrey Lopatin and Alexander Khomenko will play for juniors.
Pre-game quotes
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:
This is the first EuroLeague double week of the season but we already had similar experience last week with playing almost back-to-back games in EuroLeague and VTB League. It is mostly about managing the energy and proper preparation. Darussafaka played great in previous game, they had amazing 19-0 run in the second quarter. They have good roster with size and athleticism. So we have to be really serious and we need the support from our fans.
Alec Peters, CSKA forward:
We gotta be ready to go. We face another team of EuroLeague level, and every team is coming here to fight with us. We should match their energy and play our game.
“Relativity” connections
Will Clyburn made his EuroLeague debut with Darussafaka in the 2016-17 season. There is only one Darussafaka player Clyburn who was a teammate of Clyburn that season, center Oguz Savas.
Past matchups
Wins-losses: 3-1.
2015-16 – Euroleague. Regular season. Darussafaka – CSKA: 75-80 (+5)
2015-16 – Euroleague. Regular season. CSKA – Darussafaka: 94-66 (+28)
2016-17 – Euroleague. Regular season. Darussafaka – CSKA: 91-83 (-8)
2016-17 – Euroleague. Regular season. CSKA – Darussafaka: 95-85 (+10)
Short dossier
Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul, Turkey
Founded: 1914
Colors: black, green
Home courts: Volkswagen Arena (4,500), Abdi Ipekci Arena (12,270)
Chief of the Board: Erman Yerdelen
Head coach: Ahmet Caki
Website: www.darussafakabasketbol.com
Trophy case: EuroCup winner (2018), 2-time Turkish champion (1961, 62), Turkish League runner-up (1960), Turkish Cup finalist (2002)
