Who's the early bird?
Our team is preparing to host Zenit at Megasport in an unusually early Sunday game...
A week to prepare
After traveling to Yekaterinburg last weekend, our team methodically prepared for a meeting with their closest pursuer in the standings. CSKA trained in full force in Krylatskoye, having received their only day off on Wednesday, and on Saturday during training they recalled the sensations of the Megasport arena.
"One of the most difficult games of the season is ahead of us," says CSKA head coach Andreas Pistiolis. "We know the level of Zenit very well and expect a serious fight. We expect that our fans will come in large numbers and help the team."
Shved is back in the VTB League
Tomorrow's opponents met in St.Petersburg less than two months ago, but a lot has changed at Zenit during this time. The team lost two leaders: playmaker Xavier Moon (13.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 39.3% three-pointers) was injured and will be out for the rest of the season, and the club cut the power forward Omari Spellman (10.7 points, 3.2 rebounds).
The management of the blue-white-blues took prompt steps and strengthened the roster, signing two experienced players for both positions. Alexey Shved, who is well known to CSKA fans, will now help the St.Petersburg team organize offense; he managed to make his debut on Thursday in the game against MBA-MAI (9 points, 5 assists). And the front line was strengthened by combative veteran Okaro White - he has not yet managed to play for Zenit.
Xavi Pascual has more worries: he needs to think not only about the fight for the lead in the standings, but also about integrating newcomers into the system. However, he has his constants – productive Dwayne Bacon (16.0 points), quick Trent Frazier (10.6 points, 4.1 assists), a pair of athletic centers Alex Poythress – Vince Hunter and the unyielding Georgy Zhbanov, who gets significant playing time for the sake of tough defense.
Past matchups
Wins-losses: 39-18 (5-0 in EuroLeague, 18-0 against Triumph Lyubertsy)
Game of the 2024-25 VTB United League season:
13-Oct-2024. CSKA – Zenit: 83-77 (+6)
07-Dec-2024. Zenit - CSKA: 82-78 (-4)
Brief dossier
Zenit St.Petersburg, Russia
Founded: 2014
Colors: dark-blue, white, light-blue
Homecourt: KSK Arena (7,120)
CEO: Alexander Tserkovny
Head coach: Xavi Pascual
Website: bc-zenit.com
Trophy case: VTB United League Champion (2022), Russian Champion (2022), 5-time VTB United League bronze medalist (2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2024), 5-time Russian Championship bronze medalist (2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2024), Russian Cup Winner (2024)
