The first game for our team in the first VTB League Championship will be the meeting with an old rival. The famous Zalgiris Kaunas will visit USH CSKA on Thursday.
In contrast to the army team, the guests are in full swing - the preseason began long ago, and in the Lithuanian Championship they managed to play three rounds during last week. And defeated opponents notably: Aiscai was beaten 93-47, Alytus - 97-65; the greatest resistance was shown by championship newcomer from the modest city of Utena with a loud name Juventus - 65-51. The Lithuanian vice-champions came to Moscow Wednesday night, but they will touch the floor of USH CSKA only in the morning.
There are some changes in CSKA injured list. Good news: Victor Khryapa may return to the court tomorrow. However, according to CSKA head coach Evgeny Pashutin, it is not expected that the captain will carry a large burden in the first games of the season. Much the same can be said of JR Holden, who had ligament damage to the big toe during the game against Panathinaikos. Alexander Kaun is undergoing intensive rehabilitation and passed medical exams on Tuesday. His exact date of return can be unveiled only two weeks later - after another exam.
"We will play against the traditionally strong team, - Evgeny Pashutin said. - Zalgiris has a number of veteran players who have experience of playing in the Euroleague, and ambitious young Lithuanian players. Kaunas game is constructed around well-known shooting guard Brown and power forward Watson. Many of the plays use the center Begic, aggressive and effective Salenga and Pocius. The team endures high-speed style, full of fast-breaks.”
VTB Teams:
League&Tournament:
