CSKA vs. Spartak St.Petersburg: 88-75
Evgeny Pashutin, CSKA head coach:
“Russian Cup is a very important tournament for us, because its level and the level of its organization is growing from year to year. We had uncompromised battle today and you could expect everything. Zvika Sherf spent only half a year in Spartak but he was able to organize the team and to make it show quality game. I am supporting Spartak, part of my heart is with the club and I wish them to win third place tomorrow. We started poorly. Whatever we said the team did not play, did not fight. We made corrections, and our bench played major role. Ponkrashov, Vorontsevich, Kurbanov, Holden were the substitutes but they broke the game by their defense. It is difficult to play classical basketball against Spartak, so we had to readjust and we get back to the game. And our starters showed what they are able to do in the third quarter.”
