The first 2020/21 season game was held, Zenit beat Khimki in a tight game on the road. There is a long season ahead with lots of unpredictable results and thrilling clutches. But what games and events should be noted in the League’s schedule?
Volga derby
November 7, 2020 and January 23, 2021 – UNICS vs Nizhny Novgorod
It is already a tradition that almost always UNICS vs Nizhny games hold the intrigue till the last seconds. Last year in Kazan NN were up by 11 points, but Dimitrios Priftis team managed to come back via Raymar Morgan performance – 30 points and 11 rebounds!
In Nizhny one of the game heroes was Pavel Antipov. This summer forward together with young talent Georgy Zhbanov moved to Kazan, that fact makes Volga derby more interesting.
Errick McCollum in Kazan
November 22, 2020 – UNICS vs Khimki
Throughout the latest 2 years – from 2018 to 2020 – Errick McCollum had been UNICS best player, and last season he was among top-3 scorers of the League being only 2.5 PPG behind Alexey Shved. This summer, however, Kazan refused to extend his contract and signed Isaiah Canaan, even though Errick was ready to cut down the payroll in order to stay in the city.
MacCollum spent 6 weeks without a contract and eventually signed with Khimki. The guard missed the first game due to mandatory quarantine, but he will join the team soon. McCollum in Kazan not wearing a green shirt has got to be something special.
It’s a brother’s thing
December 6, 2020 – Tsmoki-Minsk vs CSKA
“Hey, Will, be ready, see you December 6”, Chris Clyburn greeted his brother at Tsmoki’s media day. Young American will try to prove himself as a main scorer for Minsk and make some noise during his second professional year in Europe.
Last season, Tsmoki looked good against CSKA at home. It was only last quarter, when Dimitris Itoudis’ side managed to escape sensational loss trailing by 14 during the game.
Fridzon vs Loko
December 13, 2020 – Lokomotiv-Kuban vs Zenit
Vitaly Fridzon leaving Krasnodar is the surprise of this summer. 2020 All-Star three-point contest winner didn’t spend much time looking for a new club. He moved to Saint Petersburg to come back to Euroleague after two years.
Fridzon spent only 4 minutes in a season opener against Khimki and didn’t add points to the scoresheet. But most likely he will be in a better shape by December to prove his ability to the new coach.
Generally, Loko vs Zenit rivalry is hot. After February’s loss in Krasnodar, Petersburg sacked Joan Plaza before the All-Star.
Greek school of coaches
December 26, 2020 – UNICS vs CSKA
This is one of the oldest rivalries in the United League. UNICS and CSKA met 22 times and the Army club won 17 games. However, last time Kazan was better as Errick McCollum and Raymar Morgan scored 56 points creating 11-point comeback for UNICS.
Now that Kazan misses Raymar Morgan and Errick McCollum, Dimitris Priftis has to solve a riddle of stopping the Red-blue frontcourt of Nikola Milutinov, Tornike Shengelia and Johannes Voigtmann. Another Greek, Dimitris Itoudis, definitely wants to win in Kazan, as the last time CSKA downed UNICS was in April 2018.
Kazan in Molot
January 9, 2021 – PARMA vs UNICS
According to the results of recent years, PARMA is arguably the most difficult ‘middle-class’ opponent for UNICS. In 2018/19 season, Perm beat Kazan twice, and it was the game in April 2019, that stole the first place of the regular season from UNICS. As a result, Dimitris Priftis’ side met Khimki in the semifinal and couldn’t get to the key series of the year.
Last season, Molot was also hot. 0.2 seconds to the buzzer PARMA were trailing by 2 and Mareks Mejeris went to the free throw line, but only one shot was good. UNICS came home with a W. What’s going to happen in Perm the next January?
Drew Gordon and Markel Starks in Poland
January 23, 2021 – Zielona Gora vs Avtodor
Drew Gordon was one of the key elements for Zan Tabak’s Zielona Gora. Avtodor stole the forward this summer, and now Drew and Nate Mason, Markel Startks and Nikita Mikhailovskii all led by Gordon Herbert will try to bring Saratov back to playoffs.
Zielona Gora will be one of Avtodor’s main competitors for the Top 8 spot. The game in Poland will have its drama as Saratov’s Drew Gordon, Zelko Sakic and Markel Starks have experience at Zielona Gora.
Coincidence or class?
February 10, 2021 – Enisey vs CSKA
“Breaking rules. Enisey beats CSKA for the first time in League’s history”, the headline marked the game of these two in September ’19. The northerners made a sensation one year ago. Are they capable of repeating it and downing Dimitris Itoudis’ team once again?
Although this time it’s going to be harder as the game will take place in the middle of the season, when the Army club will be running at full speed. However, Drazen Anzulovic knows how to upset CSKA. Why not beat them another time with new roster?
Show must go on
February 14, 2021, All-Star Game
The main event of the season in Moscow. VTB Arena, February 14, VTB United League All-Star Game. Top players will step on the court together to make a show for basketball fans.
The format of the event is to be announced yet as the pandemic situation defines a lot. The League though is ready for any development, and currently is working on different scenarios: full capacity, attendance limitations or no spectators at all. One thing is certain – show must go on!
Full rosters
March 8, 2021 – Zenit vs Khimki
Season opening game was great, but it feels like something was left unspoken due to injuries. The second game is set on March when both teams should be at their peak point getting ready for the playoffs of the United League (and Euroleague maybe).
What if Rimas Kurtinaitis had his main guards like Alexey Shved, Stefan Jovic and Errick McCollum? What should we expect from Zenit’s main center Arturas Gudaitis? Will Kevin Pangos be able to show his best skills under command of Xavi Pascual? We hope to find answers on March 8 in Saint Petersburg.
Reigning champion and the best team of last regular season
March 15, 2021 – CSKA vs Khimki
There’s no need to explain what CSKA vs Khimki means. Two best teams of the last 4 seasons, reigning champions vs the best team of the last regular season, two clubs with equal budgets, the rivalry known as Leningradka derby.
Both teams have reshaped their rosters significantly, but nobody could say they got weaker. Both teams compete for the highest places, and every game between these two is a highlight of the championship.
Remembering the old days
April 5, 2021 – Zenit vs CSKA
In 2016, Zenit established a good tradition of beating CSKA at home every winter, a trend that was loved by the fans. However, the weird 2020 doesn’t work in normal mode and Zenit had their first home loss from CSKA in regular season in 4 years.
This season, CSKA will come to Saint Petersburg in spring only. However, beating the Muscovites is the delight Zenit can’t resist. And Saint Petersburg has what it takes: a strong team with the first W in this season.
