"Guys worked all year": Nikolaev and Porotnikov on the victory in the CYBL Championship

Zenit U19 head coach Dmitry Nikolaev shared impressions of his team's victory in the 2024/25 Russian U19 Championship. In the final match, the blue-whites team defeated Moscow's CSKA-CYBL with a score of 89:74.

— There were tough games, especially the finals. Despite the score throughout all the games, it was still difficult. The guys did a great job, putting in a huge amount of effort, giving their all in every game at the Final Eight, which allowed us to achieve this result.

A special thank you to the guys who came from the youth team, who, with their experience — perhaps more practiced and a bit stronger at the moment — contributed with their desire and hard work, helping us achieve victory. Thanks to Roman Olegovich, the coach of the youth team. Thanks to the club's management, to all the players from the junior and senior projects of the Academy, and Zenit basketball club system for their support. It was felt, and it gave us strength — and here’s the result.

The blue-white team's guard Alexander Porotnikov also commented on the junior team's championship. After the tournament, he was named MVP of the Final Eight. In the decisive match, Porotnikov scored 27 points and became the highest-scoring player for Zenit U19.

— What can I say, the guys worked all year. We, those who play in the youth team, joined in. Some — only two days before the tournament started, some had been involved in previous rounds. Everyone gave their all, there was great team chemistry and atmosphere. We did our job to the fullest, and that’s why the cup stays in St. Petersburg.