101 Greats of European Basketball

EuroLeague champ three times
With 12 medals in the three most important international
competitions, 10 Soviet League titles and
three European crowns with CSKA, Volnov is one of
the winningest players in the history of European
basketball. His first EuroLeague title came in 1961
against ASK Riga, to break that Latvian team’s domination
after it won the first three editions of the competition,
somewhat unexpectedly, between 1958 and
1960. In the first game of the final, played in Riga, the
ASK squad of Gomelskiy lost 62-89! Volnov scored 18
points for CSKA. ASK won the second game in Moscow,
but just by 5 points (66-61). Volnov scored 13
points for CSKA, which won its first European title.
The second title arrived in 1963 after three games
against Real Madrid. The Spaniards won the first
game in Madrid 86-69 with 6 points from Volnov. In
the second game, CSKA won by the same 17 points,
91-74, as Volnov scored 8. The following day the third
game to decide the series was played. In that one, on
August 1, 1963, in front of 20,000 fans, CSKA won
99-80. Gennady Volnov scored 26 points and was the
hero of the game.
The third crown for CSKA and Volnov came in
Barcelona, on April 24, 1969 – against Real Madrid
again. CSKA won 103-99. It was a game full of drama
that featured two overtime periods. Belov, who was
a player/coach for CSKA, spent all 50 minutes on the
court. Center Vladimir Andreev played the game of a
lifetime (37 points, 13 rebounds) and Volnov had 12
points and 2 offensive rebounds in 37 minutes.
After Volnov’s death, Belov stated that Volnov
had not been properly appreciated at home. Belov
described Volnov as “the pioneer of modern Soviet
basketball.” Many others thought justice had not
been done when, in a major survey for the best
starting five ever in Soviet basketball, Volnov was not
selected.
One thing is sure, however. This born winner belongs
among the greats.
101 greats of european basketball
Gennady Volnov
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