The traditional tournament among champions of the ex-USSR countries will take place in Moscow on January, 19-27. This time, unlike during the Cup of the ex-USSR-2001 where the participants were divided into the First and the Second division, all 15 countries will contest the high prize (the Russian youth team will play hors concours), says SE-correspondent Vyacheslav KOROTKIN.

At the first lap (the matches will take place on January, 19, 20 and 21) 4 groups were formed:

A: Russia, Moldavia, Armenia, Uzbekistan

B: Georgia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Russian youth team

C: Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Tajikistan

D: Turkmenistan, Belorussia, Estonia, Kirgizia

In the quarter-finals on January, 23 the winner in the A group will play against the second team of the B group, the winner in the B group - with the second team of the A group, the winner in the C group - with the second team of the D group, the winner in the D group - with the second team of the C group. In the semi-finals on January, 25 the winner of the A1-B2 match will play against the winner of the D1-C2 match, the B1-A2 winner - with the C1-D2 winner.

The matches of the ex-USSR countries' champions Cup will be held on the indoors fields of the sports complex "Olimpijsky" and "Spartak" arena.