Published: 30 September, 2009, 13:09
Edited: 30 September, 2009, 12:01
Last year's basketball Euroleague runners-up CSKA Moscow have presented their squad for the upcoming season, with the Russians looking this year towards homegrown talent above big name signings.
Sixteen-time champions of Russia, CSKA Moscow have won the last seven domestic titles in a row. On top of that, in the last four years, they've also twice been crowned champions of the Euroleague.
The latest of triumphs came in Madrid 2008, and this year they almost made it back-to-back titles, losing only in the final to Panathinaikos.
The Armymen have managed to retain all their leading players, which has been considered their main success before the start of the season, which club president Andrey Vatutin underlined at a recent meeting with the fans.
“All those guys behind my back – players, coaches and the rest of the staff – they all want to work with CSKA only… And that was the main point of our selection before this season – and I'm sure our results will show we were right. Our boys will play wholeheartedly for the club,” he said.
Despite that, there has been one remarkable player brought in to reinforce the team for the coming season.
Serb Ivan Radenovic signed his contract with CSKA right in front of the club's fans.
After playing for university teams in the US and Greek side Panellinios, the Serbian international is sure he's joined a truly great club.
“It's a great challenge for me,” Ivan Radenovic said.
Meanwhile, the fans are looking forward to seeing their idols in action once again, and they will soon get that chance. CSKA are set to begin their season at the Gomelsky Cup this weekend.