On Saturday, 3 VTB League games wll be in Moscow, Perm and Krasnodar.
Time: 14:00 (Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Moscow, Megasport
Broadcast: TV Start, Match TV, League website
Rivalry history: 24 games, CSKA – 24 wins
CSKA: The trip to Samara was not easy for the Army team: it was important to win the first game with the new coach and against a seriously strengthened League newcomer. Now CSKA have came back home and will play with the most convenient opponent for them in the League history – CSKA has never lost to Minsk. There is no reason to lose now, especially with recent MINSK home loss against PARMA-PARI. It is possible that some CSKA players will get a rest, and the young will play more.
MINSK: «After a very bad first game of the season at home against PARMA, we want to rehabilitate in the eyes of our fans. The main task of the game will be to find how to play your best basketball, to play as a team both in defense and offense», – Rostislav Vergun comment announces the Belarusian team game in the best possible way. It will be very difficult for Minsk to win in Moscow, but it is much more important to show character and show that the team are ready to fight for the playoffs this season.
PARMA-PARI (Perm) – Zenit (Saint Petersburg)
Time: 18:00 (16:00 Moscow time)
Location: Russia, Perm, UDS Molot
Broadcast: TV Start, League website
Rivalry history: 14 games, PARMA-PARI – 3 wins, Zenit – 11 wins
PARMA-PARI: 4,692 fans came to the game in Samara against CSKA. But, apparently, on Saturday this record will be updated in Perm – in the morning on the game gay there were a little more than 300 tickets left. The city loves basketball, PARMA-PARI holds its first home game and even against the new League champion and even on a weekend – Perm have no reason not to attend this game. Moreover, a few days ago, Evgenuy Pashutin team beat MINSK in the road, demonstrating their best defense in the club’s history and allowing the Belarusian team to score only 48 points.
Zenit: It is extremely important for the St. Petersburg team to win in Perm, because otherwise the reigning League champion will start the season with two consecutive losses – and there has never been such a thing in the entire League history. Zenit is really at the building a new team stage and it takes time. On the other hand, PARMA-PARI has actually a new squad too. Yes, Xavi Pascual team will have problems in a crowded arena, but on the other hand, there are enough experienced players here who are not used to playing with such opposite team fans support.
Lokomotiv Kuban (Krasnodar) – Samara (Samara)
Time: 18:00 (Moscow time)
Location: Russia, Krasnodar, Basket Hall
Broadcast: League Website
Rivalry history: haven’t play before
Lokomotiv Kuban: The start of the season for Loko was not the most pleasant – in the first home game the team lost to MBA. With justifying this loss: Loko has a young squad with only two foreign players, a new coach. The team needs time and the youth to get used to the role of leaders. On Saturday, Loko will have a chance to rehabilitate in front of their fans and CSKA has already shown how to play versus Samara: play fast, look stealing opportunities and not allow the opponent to take more rebounds.
Samara: But it will definitely not be easy for Loko. Samara, which lost to CSKA a few days ago, definitely did not reveal its potential, but it will increase every day. And if it was not possible to show anything against the experienced Army team, then the team can make it with Loko. At least on paper, Samara is not loosing as the roster, but the questions are different: have Samara set the team combinations? Have legionnaires rested from flights? Will the bench be able to help? With all positive on this questions, Sergey Bazarevich team has the opportunity to get the first win in the VTB League history.
