Shengelia is back but Kalev force CSKA to first VTB loss / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Valery Sharifulin/TASS - Scanpix Credit Valery Sharifulin/TASS - Scanpix

Three days before hosting Fenerbahce Istanbul, CSKA Moscow had a very tough afternoon in Tallinn. The Russian powerhouse suffered their first defeat of the VTB season by 56-67 (14-17, 16-21, 10-7, 16-22).

Tornike Shengelia

MIN:30.46PTS:21 (62.9%)REB:6As:1.67ST:1.33BL:0TO:1.33GM:3ProfileEuroLeague2021/2022

Iffe Lundberg was the only standout in what was probably CSKA's low point in the 2021-22 campaign. Daniel Hackett added 10 points when the visitors were trying to come back in the game. Rauno Nurger starred for Kalev with 15 points and 9 rebounds.

The "Army Team" went 18/54 from the field (33.3%), 14/24 on free throws (58%), with Alexey Shved finishing on 2/10 FG.

The only encouraging news for the seven-time EuroLeague champs was Tornike Shengelia's return to action. EuroLeague Round 2 and 3 MVP was initially set to miss a significant amount of time, even two months, according topreliminary estimates.

Almost seven minutes into the game vs Kalev, the big from Georgia appeared on the court, where he stayed for minutes overall. In addition, Kenneth Faried scored his first VTB points in the first period of the contest.

The first half was anything but a walk in the park for Dimitris Itoudis's squad. CSKA started on a poor 8-of-22 from the field which allowed Kalev to build a five-point lead (33-28) before half-time. After 20 minutes, the hosts were up by eight (38-30) and the Greek coach was not amused at all.

Things got even worse for CSKA at the beginning of the third quarter when Hermet scored 5 points in a row to hand his team a 12-point advantage (45-33). It was only then that the Moscow squad showed some reaction, with Iffe Lundberg leading the mini-comeback (45-40).

The fourth period became even more decisive, given the fact that CSKA couldn't get rid of their scoring woes. Hackett got his team even closer (47-44), but Kalev were not deterred. Thanks to a 10-0 run, the hosts retained a double-digit lead (60-46) four minutes before the final buzzer.

CSKA tried a desperation attempt but to no avail.

Kalev Tallinn: Nurger 15 (6/10 FG, 9 REB), Lewis 12 (5 REB, 4 AST), Hermet 8.

CSKA Moscow: Lundberg 13 (5 REB), Hackett 10, Kurbanov 8, Shengelia 7 (1/6 FG, 5/10 FT).

Full game highlights:

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