Hurt but dangerous

First official game for CSKA in 2010 will be played against Olimpija Ljubljana in the Euroleague. Transaero charter flight brought the team to Slovenia today.

Ramunas Siskauskas perspectives became known only a day before the departure. Lithuanian forward who injured his left hand in the game vs Spartak St. Petersburg is working hard on his rehabilitation program but he is still unable to help the team in two upcoming games.

12 players flew to Slovenia – everyone, except for Smodis who is rehabilitating his back. The list includes Courtney Sims and Artem Zabelin who practices in limited mode because of eye injury. Zoran Planinic suffered foot problem: Croatian guard felt some pains in his foot on Tuesday. Doctors diagnosed spasms and promised to return the player to the active list but precaution measures were taken. Besides, Victor Khryapa was hit in his lip during morning practice and he had to go to the hospital and then to join the team on the way to the airport.

“Olimpija is an ambitious team ruled by two dangerous perimeter players – Walsh and Becirovic, - CSKA head coach Evgeny Pashutin said. Their backcourt became even more dangerous recently after adding Millage and Kikowski to the roster and with possible Ilievski comeback. Slovenians play with passion at home and we expect this game to be even more difficult because of two more reasons. First, we had a long New Year break, so the team probably lost its rhythm a bit; second, we will miss injured Siskauskas. I hope that the team will stand still and other players will step up to cover the loss of one of our leaders. We prepare very carefully for the game as it means a lot for our hopes to take better position in the end of the regular season.”