CSKA — Avtodor, 31 March 2023

PRE-GAME BREAKDOWN

At the end of the regular season, Avtodor came out victorious in the most serious battle for the last ticket to the playoffs, fighting against Samara and Enisey. Two victories in two final games allowed the Saratov team to become eighth.

CSKA and Avtodor meet for the third time this season, and each time the opponents from the Volga were led by different coaches. In the first round of the first stage it was Milos Pavicevic, in the second round it was Darko Russo, now the team is led by Branislav Vicentic.

The Red-Blues had two practices in Krylatskoye this week and moved to Megasport on Thursday. Semen Antonov, who is recovering from an injury, remains out of the game, the participation of Alexei Shved in the next game remains in doubt.

WORD TO THE COACH

Emil Rajkovic, CSKA head coach:

Tomorrow is the first playoff game. Avtodor is a dangerous opponent, it has a lot of good, individually strong players. We have been carefully preparing for the game over the past few days. Tomorrow we will look at the shape of Alexey Shved; as for the rest, I think the team is one hundred percent ready.

PAST MATCHUPS

Wins/losses: 61-16
Games of 2022-23 VTB League season:

23-Oct-2022. Avtodor – CSKA: 75-102 (+27)
23-Nov-2022. CSKA – Avtodor: 103-76 (+27)

SHORT DOSSIER

Avtodor Saratov

Founded: 1960
Colors: black, white
Home court: Kristall Ice Palace (5,500)
President: Vladimir Rodionov
Head coach: Branislav Vicentic
Website: www.avtodor.ru
Trophy case: 4-time Russian League runner-up (1994, 97, 98, 99), 2-time Russian League bronze winner (1992, 96), EuroCup semifinalist (1998), Superleague A champion (1997, 98), Superleague B champion (2009), Superleague champion (2013/14)