Unics eliminate the deficit – Kommersant

Eurocup Basketball

UNICS and “Khimki” made their way into the semi-finals of the European Cup. Kazan Away beat “Lokomotiv-Kuban” – 79:58, managing to eliminate the deficit with a margin of nine points, arose after the first match. Moscow team on its site broke the winner of last year’s tournament, “Valencia” – 76:61. Given that lots spread UNICS and “Khimki” on different halves of the grid, it is possible that the final tournament will be entirely Russian.

“Lokomotiv-Kuban”, the only one, by the way, a member of the European Cup in the tournament not injured a single defeat, a fair amount of work on booking a place in the semifinals made even in the first leg of the quarterfinal confrontation with Unics Kazan. Krasnodar basketball players won the capital of Tatarstan, by a margin of nine points, which, admittedly, was not seen as a surprise. In this season of “Locomotive” a couple of times to prove that he is stronger UNICS: Both teams meet in the championship of VTB United League ended in favor of “Locomotive”.

In yesterday’s match Krasnodar with the first minutes of the game thread tried to take into their own hands. However, without much success: Unics efforts mainly James White (who with 29 points in the asset became the most productive player of the match) kept close, and went on a long break even in a leadership role, though symbolic – “plus 1″. And there were serious doubts that the guests will be able to catch up the remaining time, accumulated after the home game. But they turned out to be misleading.

In the third quarter due to Kazan virtually error-free game began just smother owners. Spurt started with two accurate throws in a free kick from Sergey Bykov. Then said Valery Lihodey, then White, and after a three-point Curtis Jerrells “Locomotive” let not yet sunk, but the benefits are lost – advantage UNICS reached ten points, and start all over again.

However, it all began, as it turned out, for UNICS, but for the “Locomotive” ended. Krasnodar, home losing only on major holidays, just crumbled. And after Kostas Kaimakoglou have passed another long-range shot, it became clear that salvation “Locomotives” Only a miracle can help – five minutes before the end of the match the hosts fell behind by 20 points. That is, they had to play a minimum of 12. The hosts, to their credit, tried. And if players “Locomotive” is not so much nervous, do not make any mistakes in the simplest situations, maybe something from them and would come out. However, it was a day of UNICS, who deservedly won – 79:58 – and now play in the semifinals of the Turkish “Banvitom.”

Another Russian participant of the tournament – “Khimki” on its site hosted the current winner of the European Cup “Valencia”. In the first match of the teams did not manage to find out who is stronger: “Khimki” won, but with a difference of only one point. However, the house just outside Moscow team defeated the Spaniards. Actually, the fight lasted less than half. At the end of the second quarter Sergey Monya hit from beyond the arc, and the preponderance of “Khimki” before the big break has reached six points. And after he took the game over Tyrese Rice. It was after his throw advantage, “Khimki” has grown to 15 points. So it is up to the end of the meeting and left – 76:61. And now in the semifinals, “Khimki” will play the winner of the confrontation, “Gran Canaria” (Spain) – “Karsiyaka” (Turkey).

Alexander Petrov

1/4 finals. Return matches

 

 

“Banvit B.K.” (Turkey) – “Paris Levallois” (France) 75:71; first match 65:67. “Lokomotiv-Kuban” (Russia) – Unics (Russia) 58:79; 87:78. “Khimki” (Russia) – “Valencia” (Spain) 76:61; 76:75.

 

In the 1/2 finals meet, “Banvit B.K.” – “Khimki” UNICS – the winner of the match, “Karsiyaka” (Turkey) – “Gran Canaria” (Spain; first match 66:76), which ended after the signing of rooms in print. The first matches will be held March 31 – April 1 response – April 7-8.