CSKA Moscow coach Gundars Vetra has revealed the club will have big changes for next season after failing in both the EuroLeague Women and the Russian Superleague.

The club was undefeated in all competitions before unravelling and losing both quarter-final  games against UMMC Ekaterinburg in Europe, earlier this year.

Then, this month, in Russia's play-off finals, Vetra's team won the opener at Spartak only to lose three consecutive games, including a 101-63 mauling at home which saw Natalia Hejkova's team clinch the title.

Olga Arteshina's absence was a blow for CSKA Moscow this season

"We managed to psych ourselves up for success with the finals but in a series of games it's hard to hide the problems you have," Vetra said.                                                                                                                                        

"We need changes. Somebody will leave the team, others will stay... there will be new players, interesting players in the rotation. We will definitely be stronger."

Recovering from the humiliation at home will be tough, though.

"In the last game, we lost by almost 40 points," said Vetra, who replaced Igor Grudin at the helm before the season.

"We didn't have enough strength, energy or skill."

Vetra is already busy at work thinking of possible signings.

"We lacked the aggressiveness, the cruelty on defense," he said. "We need basketball players who can defend well. Today's basketball is a sport with a lot of contact."

CSKA had been a tired bunch heading into Game Four.

"We might have lacked time to rest (after Game Three)," Vetra said. "It's a big burden for the Russian players. Maria Stepanova and Ilona Korstin played for almost 40 minutes.

"Add to that, Amaya Valdemoro could not help us because of the same old (calf) injury.

"In this condition it is difficult to battle a team that has only one final step to go."

At CSKA there have been unexpected hurdles to clear all season.

Before the quarter-finals, the team lost Russia international Olga Arteshina when she became pregnant. Arteshina, like Valdemoro, made the all-tournament team at the EuroBasket Women in Chieti.

No team can afford to be missing players against Spartak, who have quality at every position with USA internationals Tina Thompson, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, Australia superstar Lauren Jackson and Russia's Tatiana Shchegoleva in their all-conquering squad.

"At Spartak, there are the three best basketball players in the world at their positions," Vetra said.

"So, when we were close to losing, it was like a waterfall. It was very hard to stop it. The resignation was evident."

Vetra can at least look on the bright side and that is the fact that his team did not finish the season empty handed after winning the FIBA Women's World League and the Russian Cup.

"We won two tournaments out of four," Vetra said.