Zenit wins in Kazan and evens the series
The Blue-White-Sky Blues defeated UNICS in the second game of the VTB United League semifinals of the 2025/26 season. The 69:78 road victory allowed Dejan Radonjić's team to level the series — 1-1.
As was the case two days earlier, Igor Volkhin, Alexander Shcherbenev, and Ismaël Bako remained out of Zenit's lineup. The St. Petersburg side started today's game with the following five: Andre Roberson, Trent Frazier, Johnny Juzang, Andrey Martiuk, and Georgy Zhbanov.
Zenit delivered a truly explosive start to the game. The trio of Roberson, Martiuk, and Juzang tore apart the opponent's defense, winning battles in the paint, and also each scored once from beyond the arc and on fast breaks. As a result, the 4:13 lead for the Blue-White-Sky Blues forced UNICS to call a timeout just a few minutes in. After the pause, the hosts gradually stabilized the situation on the court and began to cut the deficit. Petersburg, for a moment, lost their offensive rhythm and had fewer chances to put the ball through the hoop. Still, it's fair to say that the opening ten minutes were very spectacular, and our top scorers in the first quarter were Andre and Luka — 29:27, a one-possession lead for Kazan.
After a two-minute break, Zenit pulled away — a 7:0 run by the visitors forced UNICS to call a timeout once again. However, the Blue-White-Sky Blues continued to load up the opponent's defense: Frazier fired from long range, Martiuk and Juzang drove to the basket. Solid work on both ends of the floor allowed Petersburg to head into the halftime break with a double-digit lead, shutting down the opponent's scorers — 35:46.
The second half, however, started with difficulties. Field goals just weren't falling, and not everything was going in from the free-throw line either. Kazan capitalized on the chance and cut the lead. Meanwhile, Zenit continued to be let down by their finishing. A chaotic and, by its rhythm, sluggish quarter went the way of the home team, but the Blue-White-Sky Blues maintained a comfortable cushion — 50:56.
In the final period, all the shortcomings were ironed out. Dejan Radonjić's team kept control of the game and never let it slip. First win of the semifinals — 69:78, St. Petersburg evens the series.
Zenit's top three scorers: Johnny Juzang (20 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound), Andrey Martiuk (11 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 assist, 1 block), and Andre Roberson (11 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal).
The series moves to St. Petersburg, to the home court of the Blue-White-Sky Blues. Game 3 will take place on May 17 and starts at 13:00; Game 4 will be on May 19 at 19:30. Come to the CSC Arena to support the team — tickets are on sale!
