LOKOMOTIV-KUBAN (KRASNODAR, RUSSIA)

Founded in 2009 (in 2003 as Lokomotiv-Rostov)
Team colors: red, green, white
Honors: EuroLeague third place (2016), VTB United League runner-up (2013), Russian League / VTB United League bronze (2015), EuroCup (2013), Russian Cup (2000, 2018)
Arena: Basket-Hall (capacity – 7500)
Head coach: Evgeny Pashutin
President: Andrey Vedishchev
Official website: lokobasket.com

Where to watch

Game 1

LIVE: Match TV (16:55), Match! Strana (replay at 00:20), matchtv.ru, VTB United League website
Text online: VTB United League website

Game 2
LIVE: Match TV (19:25), Match! Strana (replay at 00:50), matchtv.ru, VTB United League website
Text online: VTB United League website

PRE-GAME QUOTES

Andrey Maltsev, Khimki Moscow Region head coach:

“In the playoffs, it's not even skill that comes to the fore, but character and desire. We have prepared, and those we were waiting for have returned to the roster, although there are still some problems with the injuries. The guys trained well, we had a good mini-camp and did everything that was planned. We are setting ourselves up for a tough fight. The series is only up to two wins, and each game is a different story. The first game will be played away, in Krasnodar, the fans will come to support their team, so the players of Lokomotiv will feel additional pressure. Whoever handles this pressure better will win. The regular season turned out to be an interesting picture: we have exchanged away wins with Lokomotiv, so now we are going to Krasnodar to try to repeat our January success, and then not to miss out at home”.