Before CSKA Samson Ruzhentsev told that in the VTB United League Super Cup quarterfinal match against Lokomotiv-Kuban, the Moscow team did not make the necessary efforts to reach the next stage of the tournament.
On Thursday, the VTB United League Super Cup kicked off in Moscow with the participation of UNICS, Lokomotiv-Kuban, CSKA, Zenit, MBA, PARIS NN, Besiktas and Fenerbahce. In the opening match MBA and Fenerbahçe played, the guests were stronger – 79:94. In the second meeting of the day, CSKA lost to Lokomotiv-Kuban – 98: 100. The teams from Krasnodar and Istanbul reached the semi-finals of the tournament.
— What do you feel more now: the satisfaction of your own good performance or the disappointment of defeat?
“There’s definitely no satisfaction.” We wanted to win and reach the semi-finals of the Super Cup. It was difficult, in some places there were not enough benches, in others there was not enough strength. No matter how one of us plays, the team result is more important.
— In the spring semi-final of the VTB United League, CSKA also lost to Krasnodar. Were you counting on revenge?
— The matches are not comparable in importance, but I wanted to win, of course. History, however, repeated itself. We lacked solidity, the opponent wanted to win more. We did not make the necessary efforts to advance to the next stage of the tournament.
— After the match, you approached your parents who were sitting in the stands. Any advice or consolation?
— Just to chat, we haven’t seen each other for several days. My father played basketball himself, raised me as a player and can give me some advice. But I don’t really like it when people give advice right after a match, so it was just a normal conversation.
— What is your personal goal for the coming season?
– This is no different from the team’s goal: to win the championship.
— Sometimes players add something about career growth and a possible move to a stronger league.
“I don’t think about that, but about what I can achieve here and now.” For example, to achieve what we did not achieve last season,” Ruzhentsev told .
The VTB United League Super Cup takes place from September 21 to 24 in Moscow. The tournament is named after Honored Coach of the USSR Alexander Gomelsky. The current winner of the competition is Zenit. The other two quarter-finals will take place on Friday: UNICS – Paris NN and Zenit – Besiktas. Both matches will be broadcast on the Match! channel. TV. Game”, broadcasts start at 4:55 p.m. and 7:55 p.m. (Moscow time).
Source : MatchTV
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