“The Gomelsky Cup is on of the most important events of the year for CSKA”, Ettore Messina said. “All of us are happy to honor the memory of the great Alexander Gomelsky, to participate in the competition of the highest level. Of course, our team will try hard to win the trophy. As for the games, on this stage of the preseason it is important for us to incorporate our new players to the team’s system and at the same time to bring back our players who are coming off injuries like Victor Khryapa and after the National Team campaign like Nenad Krstic. Coincidently, Panathinaikos has approximately the same goals with new players, injuries and Eurobasket participants on the roster so the game will be useful for both teams as the both sides will push each other in their preparation, we together will work on chemistry and balance. The season starts in just two weeks so we are happy to have this kind of opposition now”.

The team is getting closer to its optimal formation. Nenad Krstic joined the practices on Wednesday, the doctors allowed Milos Teodosic to spent part of Friday practice with the teammates. Though Teo will definitely miss the tournament. Only Andrey Vorontsevich stays out of any action. That's why the club consided it necessary to make Donatas Zavackas stay on the roster for the tournament despite his newly signed contract with Telekom Bonn. The team is still weak on 4-position and the use of the other players on uncharacteristic position is not viable on this stage of preparations when the team needs more understandable and keen tactical schemes.

Panathinaikos comes without injured Roko-Leni Ukic (Achilles) and Lukas Mavrokefalides (strained muscle).