CSKA Moscow - Regal Barcelona: preview

The 2010 Final Four tips off with a world-class rivalry as Regal FC Barcelona and CSKA Moscow battle in the semifinals for fourth time in eight years and the second in a row. CSKA is looking to reach its fifth consecutive Euroleague title game, an achievement surpassed only by Varese (1970-79) in European basketball history. Barcelona is playing its 11th Final Four, a record since the format was started in 1988, and gunning for its second continental crown. Barcelona had to beat CSKA in the semifinals to reach its previous title, in 2003. CSKA had to stop Barcelona in the semis in 2006 to win its first title in 35 years. Last year, CSKA rallied with an 11-0 fourth-quarter run to beat Barcelona to the title game. Two of CSKA's big men in that victory, Erazem Lorbek and Terrence Morris, now play for Barcelona, however. Both teams won their Regular Season and Top 16 groups and both are thought to be without injuries heading into Friday's showdown, although three-time Euroleague champ Matjaz Smodis is expected to play his first Euroleague game of the season for CSKA. Smodis adds size, experience and shooting range to CSKA's frontcourt. During his absence, Best Defender Trophy winner Viktor Khryapa thrived at power forward thanks to his court vision, athleticism and all-around game, while center Sasha Kaun proved a deadly low-post and pick-and-roll threat. Andrey Vorontsevich offers youthful energy off the bench, while Pops Mensah-Bonsu's athleticism could prove critical in countering Barcelona's frontcourt, arguably the deepest in the competition. Fran Vazquez is a shot-blocking specialist with length to match Khryapa's. Kaun and Smodis will face former teammates in three-point threat Morris and low-post master Lorbek. Boni Ndong adds another dimension for Barcelona with his long arms, mid-range jumpers and mobility. Another key matchup is at small forward, where two super talents face off. Ramunas Siskauskas, a former Euroleague MVP, last season scored 18 of his career-high 29 points – including every one of a 0-11 fourth-quarter takeover run – as CSKA defeated Barcelona in the semifinal. He will have it tougher this time against Pete Mickeal, an all-around force for Barcelona throughout the season at both ends of the court. Another marquee confrontation features two of the supreme shooters in the sport: defending competition MVP Juan Carlos Navarro of Barcelona and Trajan Langdon of CSKA, a former Final Four MVP. Off the bench, Barcelona relies on Gianluca Basile for strong defense and three-point accuracy and on Roger Grimau to change games with his penetration skills and winning mentality. CSKA will need to need combo guard Anton Ponkrashov and versatile forward Nikita Kurbanov to maintain a likely high intensity at both ends. Barcelona point guard Ricky Rubio, in his first Final Four at age 19, will look to set an up-tempo pace and to pit his unique defensive skills against more experienced CSKA counterparts J.R. Holden and Zoran Planinic. Holden enters his eighth consecutive Final Four with CSKA defending and shooting as well as ever, while Planinic offers extra size and driving ability. Barcelona may try to shut them down with Victor Sada or to outgun them with Jaka Lakovic pulling the trigger from downtown. Controlling the boards and the tempo will be major influences on what shapes up as an outstanding battle that's sure to be even better for the ultimate prize at stake.