To play differently

First European trip of the season for CSKA will go by the well-known way – CSKA flies to Athens at least once in a year. This time red-blues came to Greek capitol to face the country’s champion Panathinaikos.

Transaero charter flight 9797 took 11 players on board. Alexander Kaun is passing medical exams in the USA, Victor Khryapa continues his surgically repaired ankle in Moscow, Artem Zabelin is bothered by back problems.

“Everybody says that this game is the most difficult for us in the regular season, but I think there are no easy games in the Euroleague, - CSKA head coach Dusko Vujosevic said. Every team is highly motivated especially when they play against big names like CSKA, PAO, Barca and others. Panathinaikos will play on their court and that gives them slight advantage. I hope that my team will play differently from the Game 1 which we lost to AJ Milano. The most special thing about the game is that we are coming to Athens after loss and we should show that we are ready to play. I consider coach Obradovic my friend but we are friends before the game starts and after final whistle. His team is not only about pick-n-rolls – that’s just a way to use their quality. PAO’s roster remains almost the same for years, they have the same coach, they just change some players getting those who can strengthen the team.”