Sports
Basketball: CSKA Moscow claims VTB Cup
Published 23 December, 2008, 12:18
CSKA Moscow’s basketballers have claimed another trophy, adding the VTB Promo Cup to their record of titles. Etore Messina's charges overcame Khimki in the final
The game promised to be exciting as the sides are big rivals in the Russian Superleague.
CSKA, playing at home, were considered favourites. They managed to save a lot of energy in their semi-final on Sunday.
The beginning of the match was tight as Khimki responded to CSKA's attacks with 3-pointers.
The Army men, though, made a breakthrough in the second quarter, establishing the advantage on fast-breaks. Aleksandr Kaun made it an 11-point game.
Khimki kept in touch courtesy of Kelly McCarthy – the captain got 9 points in the game.
The visitors' aggressive defence allowed them to cut the gap to 4 points later on. After the half-time break, the Moscow region side continued their pursuit, with American Milt Palacio leading the side – 19 points for the point guard, at one stage reducing the deficit to two points, but that was as close as Khimki could get.
The Army men then showed they had enough strength in depth to grab the initiative, while Khimki lost the ball too often in the final stages of the game.
CSKA's Ramunas Siskauskas was MVP of the tournament, despite missing the second half of the final with an injury. So the Muscovites add yet another trophy to their tally. A great finish to an impressive year, which saw them winning the Euroleague and Russian championship.
