There’s something special about CSKA vs. Khimki, two of Russia’s biggest clubs, a mere 14 km apart via the Leningradka highway. Over the years, the rivalry has grown in stature and history. At present, the Army Men enjoy a commanding 13-6 lead, including eight straight wins.
But CSKA’s streak may be in danger. Khimki is playing wonderful basketball, plus Sergey Monia is healthy again, a big boost to Moscow Region’s frontcourt.
The Army Men, meanwhile, will be without star Milos Teodosic and Nando De Colo is still getting into shape after being gone for almost two months. CSKA also faces a tougher schedule, playing Barcelona on Friday, before taking on Khimki on Sunday.
With the anticipation rising, Konstantin Kucher takes a look at eight of the biggest match-ups between these two teams in recent years.
When: April 23, 2011, Championship Game
Leading Roles: Vitaly Fridzon, Thomas Kelati, Kresemir Loncar (Khimki), J.R. Holden, Jamont Gordon (CSKA)
CSKA Moscow has only missed out on the championship once.: April 2011 to Khimki. The title was decided at the Final Four, held in Kazan’s Basket Hall. The format played into Moscow Region’s hands. First, Rimas Kurtinaitis’s club took down UNICS, before shocking the reigning champs. Even an injury to Keith Langford couldn’t stop Khimki. Vitaly Fridzon, Thomas Kelati, and Kresimir Loncar (10 points in the final quarter) were the heroes on the championship team.
When: May 26, 2013, Game 2 of the Semifinals
Leading Roles: Vladimir Micov, Milos Teodosic (CSKA), Vitaly Fridzon, Paul Davis (Khimki)
You can make an argument for the 2013 semifinal series between CSKA and Khimki as the League’s best ever. Khimki was gunning for a spot in the finals and got started right with a win in Game 1. A second win would have put CSKA on the brink of disaster.
Not surprisingly, Moscow brought a lot of intensity to Game 2. After a high-scoring start, Milos Teodosic and the Red-Blues managed to grab the momentum. Khimki trailed most of the contest, but kept it close, setting up a dramatic finish. Having lost Teodosic to injury, the Army Men turned to defense, which would prove successful. Leading by two points, 74-72, CSKA was able to stop Khimki twice, thanks to a Viktor Khryapa steal and a block on Vitaly Fridzon.
When: May 29, 2013, Game 4 of the Semifinals
Leading Roles: Vitaly Fridzon, Zoran Planinic (Khimki), Andrei Vorontsevich, Sonny Weems (CSKA)
By Game 4, Khimki was staring at a 2-1 deficit. CSKA opened the game on fire and dominated for most of the three quarters, boasting a 12-point lead to start the 4th quarter.
But Vitaly Fridzon had other plans. The Khimki guard was in the shadows most of the game, but he erupted with several big shots down the stretch. Two of the biggest stars decided the final outcome: First, Sonny Weems missed twice from the free-throw line, then Zoran Planinic won it for Khimki with a clutch mid-range jumper.
When: January 26, 2014, regular season
Leading Roles: James Augustine (Khimki) , Viktor Khryapa (CSKA)
The rivalry picked up again in January 2014 with one of the League’s most dramatic regular-season games in history, though many only remember the final play.
With the score tied and two seconds on the clock, CSKA was trying to in-bound the ball on its end of the court. Coming out of a timeout, CSKA wanted to win with a buzzer-beater, perhaps at the hands of Milos Teodosic, who already had 29 points in the game.
But Teo never had a chance. Viktor Khryapa threw a bad pass, and James Augustine picked up the ball, ran the length of the court and drilled a running 3-pointer for a stunning win.
When: February 8, 2015, regular season
Leading Roles: Tyrese Rice, Petteri Koponen (Khimki), Milos Teodosic, Nando De Colo (CSKA)
This is the highest-scoring game yet between the two opponents. Neither team paid much attention to defense, putting on a show for the fans instead. Not surprisingly, offense ultimately won the game.
Khimki led by seven in the final minutes, but a 9-2 run from Milos Teodosic and Vitaly Fridzon allowed CSKA evened the score late.
Moscow needed one more stop to force overtime. Khimki gave the ball to Tyrese Rice, even though he’d committed five turnovers and only made five of 12 shots.
But Rice knew how to rise to the occasion. Left one-on-one with Manuchar Markoishvili, Rice ran down the clock, got the defender off balance, and drained the game-winning ‘3’.
When: June 5, 2015, Game 2 of the Finals
Leading Roles: Milos Teodosic, Alexander Kaun (CSKA), Sergey Monia, Paul Davis (Khimki)
The 2015 Finals didn’t live up to expectations, but each of CSKA’s wins did prove a point. Khimki was beset by injuries during the playoffs, especially at the center position. Ruslan Pateev, James Augustine, and Paul Davis each missed games during the semifinal series with Lokomotiv. Though the Americans were able to play in the finals, neither was close to peak condition. CSKA took advantage, using depth to wear Khimki down.
In the end, only Game 2 proved competitive. Rimas Kurtinaitis’s men kept CSKA within 10 points throughout the contest, but couldn’t get any closer.
When: May 19, 2016, Game 1 of the Semifinals
When: May 24, 2016, Game 3 of the Semifinals
Leading Roles: Milos Teodosic, Nando De Colo (CSKA), Alexey Shved, Tyrese Rice (Khimki)
These two teams met in the semifinals last season, with CSKA enjoying a 3-0 sweep. Despite the lopsided outcome, Khimki kept it close. Every game was competitive, often ending in dramatic fashion.
Games 1 and 3 especially stood out and followed similar storylines. Khimki’s energy and 3-point shooting helped them outscore CSKA in the first half. But after the break, the Army Men improved their perimeter defense and gradually took control of the game.
In both games, Khimki came back in the final minutes, trying to close the gap with intentional fouls. But the Army Men put on a passing clinic, getting several open layups. Vitaly Fridzon shut the door in Game 1, Viktor Khryapa took care of business in Game 3.
