A baby among European basketball team, BC Krasnie Krylia has only one full season under its belt in its current incarnation, but stands tall on the shoulder of its predecessor. CSK VVS-Samara was a strong competition in the Soviet and Russian Leagues for nearly 50 years before its demise. Samara played in the 1999 Euroleague and won the FIBA EuroCup in 2007 behind stars Omar Cook and Nikita Shabalkin. But when SK VVS-Samara was dismantled, Samara Region's Industry, Energy and Technology Minister Vladislav V. Kapustin stepped in, purchased a spot in the Russian League and formed Krasnie Krylia – in English, Red Wings – to take its place. The club’s first season was somewhat turbulent early, with management, coaching and roster changes disrupting any rhythm. But once Krasnie Krylia got the ball rolling, it was hard to stop. The team recorded marquee victories over Khimki Moscow Region, BC Triumph and Unics Kazan en route to a spot in the Russian League playoffs for the first time in a decade. Even though the Reds Wings were swept in the quarterfinals by mighty CSKA, the season was already a success for what was accomplished in the FIBA EuroChallenge. The trio of playmaker J.R. Bremer, scorer Luis Flores and center Marcus Douthit led Krasnie Krylia to a 5-0 start and eventually a spot in the quarterfinals, where it swept Zagreb to reach the final four. A narrow win over Scavolini Pesaro made Krasnie Krylia a finalist, but it came up short against BG Goettingen in an exciting final. Nevertheless, the Red Wings earned a spot in the Eurocup and will try to continue to climb the ladder and establish the club as a rising force in European basketball with another strong season.