CSKA — Zenit, 22 May 2021

PRE-GAME BREAKDOWN

The Army Team definitely don’t count on Nikola Milutinov (shoulder surgery) and Janis Strelnieks (not on the VTB League roster). Iffe Lundberg (illness) and Joel Bolomboy (ankle) took part in the pre-game practice, they remain a game-time decision.

WORD TO THE COACH

Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:

We analyzed the previous game. Obviously, it was a big fight in two overtimes, a lot of details and small things turned out to be big things in the end. [This series] is a big battle, Zenit is a very good team, but we are a good team as well. We are focused and determined to play consistent basketball for more minutes, everybody will give his best. We have to be focused in every single situation that happens on the court.

CLOSE “RELATIONS”

Zenit’s Andrey Zubkov was a teammate of Nikita Kurbanov in Lokomotiv-Kuban during 2014-15 season.

Vitaly Fridzon spent five seasons with CSKA from 2013 through 2018. He helped the club win the 2016 EuroLeague and five VTB United League titles. He played under Coach Itoudis and alongside Semen Antonov, Will Clyburn and Nikita Kurbanov.

PAST MATCHUPS

Wins-losses: 17-7 (18-0 against Triumph Lyubertsy)

Games of the 2020-21 season:

18-Dec-2020. EuroLeague. Regular season. CSKA – Zenit: 83-65 (+18)
13-Feb-2021. VTB League. Regular season. CSKA – Zenit: 71-74 (-3)
30-Mar-2021. EuroLeague. Regular season. Zenit – CSKA: 74-86 (+12)
05-Apr-2021. VTB League. Regular season. Zenit – CSKA: 81-87 (-6)
17-May-2021. VTB League. Quarterfinals. Zenit – CSKA: 73-78 (+5)
19-May-2021. VTB League. Quarterfinals. Zenit – CSKA: 107-104 2ОТ (-3)

SHORT DOSSIER

Zenit St.Petersburg, Russia

Founded: 2014
Colors: dark-blue, white, light-blue
Homecourt: SIBUR Arena (7,120)
CEO: Alexander Tserkovny
Head coach: Xavi Pascual
Website: basket.fc-zenit.ru