UNICS Kazan will face Zenit Saint Petersburg.
Where:
Basket hall (7000 seats), Kazan, Russia
When:
November 25, 2019. 19:00 (19:00 MSK)
Broadcast:
Match TV, VTB United League site
Look in the past:
Joaquim Colom (UNICS) and Ryan Toolson (Zenit) led the teams in 2016/17 season.
Face to face:
Zenit vs UNICS is a short but intense rivalry. Two years ago, Kazan beat Zenit twice in the regular season, and the first game was a season opener in Tatarstan capital. UNICS won with the largest margin for season openers (+34) by that time. Zenit’s sweet revenge was to win the 3rd place game (93:79) in the Final Four.
The hottest faceoff happened in 2016 semifinals when UNICS beat Zenit in 5 games and qualified to the final and Euroleague.
Last season Kazan won in Saint Petersburg (77:74), and at home (74:72). Overall record of this rivalry is 10-6 for UNICS.
Intrigue
Both UNICS and Zenit – after offseason reconstruction – have hard times in the new season. Kazan lack stability, but keep positive record (4-3) and stay in playoff zone, while Saint Petersburg are ranked 10th with 3-4. The best moment to improve the standings and build a solid season? It’s ‘now’ for both teams.
Last week
On Wednsday, UNICS could qualify to Eurocup’s next stage, but were beaten by Nanterre 72:79. This was their first home loss this season. And still they had time to recover and prepare for the next game.
Zenit have it more complicated. On Tuesday and Friday, Saint Petersburg fought Valencia and Baskonia in away games, but lost both (90:94 and 60:70). With five straight losses, they are ranked last in Euroleague. Kazan game will be their fourth in a row away game.
Priftis stays
European media spread rumours that Panathinaikos after sacking their head coach were considering Dimitris Priftis.
Evgeny Bogachev, UNICS president, made a statement to confirm that Greek coach stays. Pao hired Rick Pitino. Priftis who signed 2-year contract last summer stays to work in Kazan.
Home ground
Zenit have downed UNIS in Basket hall only once, on March 12, 2017. This season Kazan haven’t lost at home (2-0).
And it’s been a long time since Petersburg beat Kazan. June 10, 2018 was the last time.
Familiar faces
Three ex-UNICS players are now in Zenit: Anton Ponkrashov, Evgeny Voronov and Vladislav Trushkin. It’s going to be a special night for Ponkrashov. He spent 5 last seasons in Kazan and said he was ready to stay, but the club decided to part ways. On Monday, Anton will face his ex-team for the first time since he moved to Saint Petersburg. We can expect something special from the guard.
Two ex-Zenit players now perform in Tatarstan: Pavel Sergeev (season 2016/17 in Saint Petersburg), and Andrey Koshcheev (2014-2016).
Duel
Alex Tyus vs Gustavo Ayon.
Two great centers with a big reputation in Europe Tyus and Ayon faced each other many times in Euroleague. Monday will be their first faceoff in VTB League.
Everyone knows that big guys get only better with time. 31-year-old Tyus is UNICS’ 3rd in efficiency – 13.4 points. 34-year-oled Ayon leads Zenit with 20.2 points. The paint will be hot.
Speech
UNICS head coach Dimitris Priftis:
We’ll play a strong team with a deep roster and experienced players. We are having hard times, results are not amazing not to mention the injuries. We have to do everything to compete for the win.
Zenit head coach Joan Plaza:
UNICS are a strong team, especially at home. They have a lot of players and the head coach from the last season plus summer signings of Euroleague-level players. As usual, we have to stay focused in each period, not to let them run away and take our chances in the offense. We work everyday, players are in good shape and look forward to win.
