Despite the fact CSKA played the second game versus Benetton in a harder atmosphere, the Army club won the match:
Benetton vs CSKA: 76-91 (19-14, 23-24, 17-25, 17-28)
CSKA: Andersen (26 + 8 reb + 3 as), Landon (19 + 3 reb + 2 as), Shabalkin (14 + 6 reb), Kurbanov (9 + 3 reb), Panov (6 + 2 reb), Lamma (5 + 4 reb), Zavoruev (4 + 2 reb), Vyaltsev (3), Sheleketo (3), Dyachok (2 + 2 reb), Bashminov (1 reb), Urazmanov (2 as)
The first game of the teams on Thursday was unofficial, without supporters and media, this time both categories were present. The game was the first one for Benetton this season so one can easily imagine the atmosphere. ‘We played a true Euroleague road game, - says CSKA head coach Ettore Messina. – Benetton mood was the reason for us to have difficulties in the start of the game. Especially it was hard for the young players. The entire first half was tough for us. Benetton showed good individual performance. From the very first moments of the third quarter we started to lead. The gap reached maximum of 15 points with the final buzz. There was some good individual performance of CSKA players but also we showed great team game both offensively and defensively. It was expressed also in the stats – we have a solid number of assists, steals and rebounds.
As for individual performances together with experienced Andersen, Langdon and Panov I would like to mention Nikita Shabalkin and Nikita Kurbanov. The first player scored 14 points in just 20 minutes that is surely not easy task with the defenders Shabalkin had. Kurbanov leaved good general impression’.
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