Bad news for CSKA Moscow as they found out today that they lost team captain and Euroleague superstar forward Matjaž Smodiš to a back injury that will keep the 6-9 Slovenian out of  much of the Euroleague Regular Season.

The 29-year old may require surgery that may keep him out four months, but may return in time for the tournament. Smodiš also missed five games last season.

Smodiš, who is the first non-Russian player to be named captain of CSKA, has played huge roles in seven Euroleague finals, winning three Euroleague championships along the way.

In 2001 he teamed with Manu Ginobili and Marko Jaric with Kinder Bologna to win his first championship, and took home the titles in 2006 and 2008 with CSKA Moscow.

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