UNICS – is in the final of the VTB United League!

Main team news

02.05.2023

Our team survived in a dramatic 7-match semi–final and thanks to the energy of the stands snatched victory in the last second of the decisive game from the reigning champion of the VTB United League Zenit - 80:79! The hero of the ending is Neno DIMITRIJEVIC, who scored 18 of the last 24 team points.

The white-greens conceded «-6» 3 minutes before the end and 77:79 24 seconds before the buzzer, but they defended the home court on character, courage and incredible support of the fans!

VTB United League. Semi-final. Match No. 7.
UNICS (Kazan) – Zenit (Saint Petersburg) – 80:79 (17:19, 19:12,16:24, 28:24).
UNICS: Dimitrijevic (24 + 6 assists + 3 steals +2 rebounds), Macon (16 + 6 rebounds + 3 assists), Hunter (11 + 4 rebounds), Reynolds (10 + 6 rebounds), Knight (7 + 5 rebounds), Labeyrie (7 + 5 rebounds).
Zenit: Huertel (23 + 11 assists + 3 rebounds), Moerman (17 + 3 rebounds), Homesley (14 + 4 rebounds).

POSTGAME COMMENTS:

Velimir PERASOVIC, BC UNICS head coach:

«I am happy for the club and especially for the players, because we have worked very hard throughout the season. Therefore, reaching the final is a great reward for each of us. The game turned out to be very difficult, but the seventh match could not have been different. In the end, Zenit controlled the course of the match, but we showed a very good reaction in the last minutes and snatched the victory. This series with Zenit turned out to be one of the most difficult in my coaching career. I am very happy that it ended in our favor.

In the semifinals, two very equal teams that know each other well met. Zenit tried to take advantage of our weaknesses, and we, in turn, attacked their weaknesses. In the end, luck decided everything. In the previous match in St. Petersburg, fortune smiled on Zenit, and today in the seventh game we were more successful. The visitors had the last possession, but they lost the ball. It happens.

Dimitrijevic played this playoff very well. He was probably the best offensive player in UNICS. But we have other guys in the team who also played great».

Jalen REYNOLDS, BC UNICS center:

«We knew that the match would be difficult. From the very beginning we acted together and fought to the end. This series has definitely been a long one. Zenit is a very strong opponent. Today we played really selflessly. But there is still a lot of work ahead.

What helped us win? Definitely, the fans. They warmly supported and gave us energy throughout the series. There are just wonderful fans in Kazan. It was thanks to them that we showed our best game and made it to the finals."

Is UNICS the favorite of the final with Lokomotiv-Kuban? We prefer not to concentrate on the whole series at once, but to prepare for the first match. We need to defend just as well. I think that it is the defense that helps us win. Will it be easier for us to win the title because for the first time in many years CSKA will not play in the final? I don't think it's easier to play against Lokomotiv Kuban. They have a very competitive team. We also need to fight and play hard. We focus on Loco and go from match to match».

Xavier PASCUAL, BC Zenit head coach:

«We lost in a match that it would seem impossible to lose. We completely controlled the game in the final part. The match was shaping up in such a way that we could either win it or go into overtime. But to lose such a game is incredible. Yes, this happens sometimes. However, when this happens, you can't believe it. We had possession five seconds before the end with the score 79:79 – either victory or overtime… I have no words to describe what happened.

During the playoffs, we lost two important players - Thompkins and Karasev. For this reason, our rotation was limited. But we fought and controlled the game. We had a good chance of winning today».