Playing it cool

03.02.2009
The second game in the Euroleague Top 16 our team will play against Group H troublemaker Cibona Zagreb. CSKA captain Matjaz Smodis will help the fans to save their nerve cells.

After short absence because of ankle injury Smodis is back to the team’s practices. Junior team center Ivan Nelyubov also joined the group of players preparing to the game against Cibona.

"We started the Top 16 well, but Cibona also started with the good win against Siena. – CSKA head coach Ettore Messina said. - We also remember that we lost our two previous Euroleague home games so we have to step up, to show our energy and concentration and to use better what we call our home-court advantage. It is obvious for everyone in the basketball world that defense and rebounding are the most important factors for winning the game. But I stay optimistic, because the team has practiced well and we hope to have Smodis ready for the game against Cibona."

The plain with the players from Croatia landed in Domodedovo airport on Tuesday and the team immediately went to USH CSKA for practice.