CSKA — Zenit, 08 June 2018

Defense dominated the game and our team dominated on defense. CSKA defeated Zenit and went to the VTB League final.

CSKA vs. Zenit St.Petersburg: 84-67 (+17)

CSKA: Antonov (5 + 4 pf), Rodriguez (21 + 4 rb + 5 as + 3 st), Higgins (11), Kurbanov (2 + 3 rb + 3 st + 4 pf), Hunter (0) – start; De Colo (13 + 3 as + 3 st), Fridzon (3 + 3 rb + 2 as), Korobkov (0), Clyburn (15 + 5 rb + 2 as), Kulagin (5), Khryapa (3 + 3 rb), Hines (6 + 4 rb + 2 st + 2 bs + 3 to), Makiev (DNP)…

Zenit: Reynolds (3 to), Karasev (15 + 4 rb + 2 as + 2 st + 4 to), Voronov (3 + 2 as + 3 to), Whittington (2 + 3 rb + 3 to), Valiev (6 + 2 as + 5 pf) – start; Lazarev (DNP), Desyatnikov (3), Vikhrov (2 + 2 as), Simonovic (6), Harper (16 + 7 rb + 4 as), Kuric (13 + 4 rb + 3 to), Gordon (1 + 3 rb + 4 pf)…

Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:

Congratulations to the team on the victory. We were obviously a better team tonight. Analyzing the game, definitely, it was a nervous start for both sides, we made some sloppy offensive decisions. But we were focused on the defensive end. For three quarters we kept Zenit in very low scores, they scored 10 and 11 points in the periods, we were up 22 after three. And Zenit has charismatic shooters, they have many set plays for them. And we set the tone because of this. Definitely, we cannot be happy because of 19 turnovers, many of them were unforsed, so we have room to improve. Overall we were determined, decisive, we had good defensive communication. Now we have to rest, watch the film and get ready. I would like also to congratulate Zenit on the good season they had both in VTB League and EuroCup.