The final Euroleague game of year 2009 will be the real test for our team. CSKA have a chance to get the sole lead in Group C as well as to exonerate themselves for the defeat in Tel Aviv. The arena will be sold out – very limited number of tickets is left in the Sales Department.
Biting defeat from the historical rival in the first leg of the Euroleague regular season made Moscow team to prepare for the second game especially carefully. In those game CSKA had 21 turnovers and made only 3 of 21 three-pointers. Coaches and players try focus on the game as much as it possible. Victor Khryapa revealed that he is dreaming of revenge and it looks like the captain described the emotions of all the players. CSKA is absolutely ready physically – the team has no ill or injured players with the exception of Matjaz Smodis.
“Maccabi is a well-disciplined, athletic team, - CSKA head coach Evgeny Pashutin said. Coach Pini Gershon always implemented fast basketball with different types of defenses – switching, zone. Our main goal is to play disciplined defense, not to let Maccabi score on easy baskets. Our defense wasn’t bad in Tel Aviv as we allowed 71 points only but we played poorly offensively. Now we are improving game by game, we are demonstrating better team basketball, our team chemistry is better. And we are approaching the game vs Maccabi especially attentively. We want to play good defense again and to play more focused, organized offense.”
Maccabi flew to Moscow on Wednesday during Hanukkah holiday. The team visited children hospital a day before. Tel Aviv team has no ill or injured players. Yaniv Green has not fully recovered from the injury and is unable to play at his best. It is also rumored that Maccabi is looking to replace Maciej Lampe because he does not play up to expectations of coaching staff.
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