Tsmoki — CSKA, 06 December 2020

PRE-GAME BREAKDOWN

Our team prepared for away game normally. On Friday, after the game vs Olympiacos, the practice was short, on Saturday it was a regular pre-game practice.

The coaching stuff decided to rest Toko Shengelia who had an extra load due to his play for the National Team. Janis Strelnieks also stays in Moscow to continue his post-injury rehab.

The game will take place at 15-thousand Minsk Arena with fans in attendance.

WORD TO THE COACH

Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:

Visit to Minsk is the first game of our new series of 3 games in 6 days. We respect Tsmoki, they renewed seriously in the off-season. Most of their game is coming from the guards, Lowery and Clyburn, as well as Leimanis and Rahozenka, but Salash is also their point of emphasis on the block. The club shows their ambitions by signing experienced center Parakhouski recently. So this opponent requires from us to be fully focused and determined for the game.

“RELATIVITY” CONNECTIONS

This will be the first official game where Clyburn brothers, Will and Chris, face each other.

Vladimir Veremeenko was a teammate for two Army Men. He defended UNICS colors with Nikita Kurbanov in 2013-14 season and he played for Bamberg with Janis Strelieks in 2016-17 season.

Minsk newcomer Artsiom Parakhouski paired with Semen Antonov in Nizhny Novgorod, 2014-15 season.

PAST MATCHUPS

Wins/losses: 20-0
Games of 2019-20 VTB United League Regular Season:

13-Oct-2019. CSKA – Tsmoki Minsk: 114-81 (+33)
28-Dec-2019. Tsmoki Minsk - CSKA: 91-94 (+3)

SHORT DOSSIER

Tsmoki Minsk, Belarus
Founded: 2006
Colors: blue, white
Home courts: Minsk-Arena (15,000), Falcon Club (2,300)
CEO: Yuri Shakola
Head coach: Rostislav Vergun
Website: www.bc-tsmoki.by
Trophy case: 12-time Belarusian champion (2009-20), 10-time Belarusian Cup winner (2010-19)