Pari NN — CSKA, 03 October 2021

PRE-GAME BREAKDOWN

Nizhny appeared to be one of the most difficult opponents for the Army Men last year. They were fighting hard in the first round of the VTB League playoffs, took CSKA to Game 3 where the Muscovites took tough victory and qualified to semifinals.

There are 12 players on the away roster. Nikola Milutinov (knee), Marius Grigonis (back) and Vladimir Ivlev stayed in Moscow.

WORD TO THE COACH

Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:

We need to bounce back regarding our performance in Milan. Nizhny will play its first official game, and they recently added several players that haven’t participate in any friendly game so far. Still we know that they always play tough, on the level of foul, especially at home. We need to play serious game, on the highest level.

PAST MATCHUPS

Win-loss record: 31-4

2020-21 season games:
03-Jan-2021. N.Novgorod – CSKA: 63-83 (+20)
25-Apr-2021. CSKA – N.Novgorod: 85-84 (+1)
11-May-2021. CSKA – N.Novgorod: 84-59 (+25)
13-May-2021. N.Novgorod – CSKA: 76-72 (-4)
15-May-2021. CSKA – N.Novgorod: 79-75 (+4)

SHORT DOSSIER

BC Nizhny Novgorod

Founded: 2000
Colors: white, black
Homecourt: Labor Unions Palace of Sports (5,000)
CEO: Denis Moskvin
Head coach: Zoran Lukic
Website: www.nn-basket.ru
Accomplishments: VTB United League runner-ups (2014), Russian Championship runner-up (2014), Superleague B champion (2010), Russian Cup finalists (2011)