Let's stay together

June 19, 2013

Let's stay together

Andrey Vorontsevich - CSKA Moscow (photo cskabasket.com)

Hello again! This is Andrey Vorontsevich of CSKA Moscow. I am getting back to you the day before we get to Paris for the Euroleague Final Four! It has not been an easy time for us because we lost three consecutive games in the Russian League, as you probably know. We have managed to do better in friendly games, prepare well and get ready for the Final Four. These three losses belong to the past now, but even so, they make you wonder and think about it, especially about our defense and which changes we should make. We have practiced harder than ever and I am sure everything will be fine when we get on court in the semifinal against Barcelona. We played - and won - two friendly games against Unics. I think it was a great idea to play against them because Unics has a similar team structure as Barcelona. They have some players that are close to what we can expect in the semifinal in Paris. Marko Popovic is a scoring guard similar to Juan Carlos Navarro. At the same time, Kresimir Loncar and Maciej Lampe are physical players with good range like Terence Morris or Erazem Lorbek. These two games have been very important for us. One of the keys to the game against Barcelona is that our frontcourts are quite different. I think we are shorter but faster than them. We can find some advantages if we play the right way.

We have a very experienced team and that always counts against such a strong opponent as Barcelona. You don't how how you will play or shoot in a situation like this - but experience definitely helps. If you miss shots, you start to think about t and there is no time for anything but playing hard! I have to say I like Barcelona, they are a great team. They have very fast guards in Navarro and Ricky Rubio-. They play really good defense and, of course, they have size. For instance, Boniface Ndong is huge - he is like a defensive wall - and of course, I know Terence Morris and Erazem Lorbek, our teammates from a year ago. Barcelona will be the toughest opponent we have faced so far this season - not only for us, but for everybody. This is the Final Four and you cannot expect an easy opponent. We will go out there, respect them and play hard in order to beat them.

As for the keys to this game... Well, if you are expecting me to go into small details, you better check another blog - or another website! In general, we need to be patient, play our game and do what we do best. We cannot lose control, and if we manage to do that, everything will be OK. We are excited with the chance to play another Final Four but don't talk to much about it, as we are focused on preparing the big game against Barcelona. We are working hard in practice and everybody knows what we need to do to get the job done.

If we win the Euroleague title this season, I would be the biggest highlight of my career, better than any other trophies I won in the past. I stayed more time on the court this season and this is why it would mean so much to me. I used to see very little playing time in just some Euroleague games but it all changed this season. Our coach trusts me, gives me playing time and my game has improved due to the confidence he has in me.

Well, before I pack my stuff, here is a message for all CSKA fans coming to Paris. They are always there to help us and this Final Four will not be different. Just remember one thing: if we stay together, we can win this Final Four.

POSTED BY

ANDREY VORONTSEVICH - MOSCOW, RUSSIA

DATE:

Tuesday, May 04, 2010