CSKA vs Mega Superbet, 22/10/2025

CSKA will host Mega in WINLINE Basket Cup

On Wednesday, the first game of the WINLINE and VTB United League tournament involving the international club will take place, with CSKA hosting Mega.

CSKA (Russia) vs Mega (Serbia)

Time: 19:30 (Moscow time)

Place: Russia, Moscow, CSKA Arena

Broadcast: Match! Igra, VK Video, WINLINE Basket Cup website

CSKA: The game at CSKA Arena will be the first international club basketball game in Russia since September 2024, when Crvena Zvezda and Besiktas came to the capital for the VTB United League SuperCup. CSKA won that tournament and then defended its League title. After that, the Moscow team limited itself to little roster changes and is now searching for the basketball that brought trophies. Autumn is not the deadline for returning to peak condition, but Andreas Pistolis is gradually approaching his goal. After the big win over Enisey in Krasnoyarsk, the Greek coach said that «the game cannot be called perfect, but at the moment it is closest to what I want to see during this season». On Wednesday, CSKA will have a unique opportunity to assess its current readiness in competition with an international opponent.

Mega: The Belgrade club is a well-known talent factory. The famous Nikola Jokic began his pro career at Mega. In 2015, the center moved to the NBA from this team. The rest is history. Perhaps the WINLINE Basket Cup will be a springboard for another Serbian superstar, and so far, 19-year-old point guard Savo Drezgic stands out with his actions and is claiming this role. But even his scoring (20.6 points on average) is not enough for the team to achieve the desired results – Mega is struggling to get into the new season and has suffered 2 losses in 3 opening games of the Adriatic League.

Mega defeats CSKA in first WINLINE Basket Cup international game

Mega defeated CSKA on the road in debut WINLINE Basket Cup game – 81:72 (25:20, 14:22, 20:17, 22:13).

Game progress

The average age of Mega’s players is 20, but that didn’t stop the Serbian team from confidently starting the game against the reigning champion of the VTB League. The guests were led by Asim Dzulovic (14 points on 6 of 8 shooting in the first half) and playmaker Savo Drezgic (5 assists), while Vule Avdalovic’s players gave their all in defense and tried to play as fast as possible. The Moscow team only adjusted to opponent in the second quarter, Antonious Cleveland and Melo Trimble helped the team to regain the lead. After 20 minutes, CSKA’s lead was 3 points.

In the third quarter, Mega continued to show a mature game beyond their years and confirmed ambitions for a sensation by tying the score.

Key moment

The first five minutes of the decisive quarter were dominated by the Serbian team: Urban Kroflic dominated in the paint and on the arc, with Luigi Suigo and Drezgic supporting him from the perimeter. Mega also demonstrated exemplary defense, allowing CSKA to score only 2 points from the free throw line in more than 5 minutes. The 16:2 run was key. The hosts finally woke up and staged a comeback, cutting the deficit to 4 points after Casper Ware three-pointer, but the Serbian team responded with a long-range shot by Dzulovic on the very next possession, which stopped a comeback.

X-factor

CSKA relied on long-range shots, but only made 10 of 44 (22.7%). The 34 misses were fatal.

Facts

The game at CSKA Arena was the first international game in the WINLINE Basket Cup – previously, only Russian clubs had played.

The lead in the game had changed 10 times..

Leaders

CSKA: Antonius Cleveland (14), Anton Astapkovich (13), Livio Jean-Charles (11 + 6 rebounds)

Mega: Luigi Suigo (18 + 5 rebounds), Asim Dzulovic (17 + 6 rebounds), Savo Drezgic (14 + 5 rebounds + 7 assists)

Next game

November 4, Mega (Serbia) vs Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia).