Zenit falls in Krasnodar, series tied at 2-2
The main team of Zenit BC suffered a defeat against Lokomotiv Kuban in Game 4 of the VTB United League 2025/26 bronze medal series. The matchup, played today in Krasnodar, ended with a 91:85 victory for the home side. The bronze medal winner will now be determined in a decisive fifth game. Here is our recap of the key moments from the contest.
Georgy Zhbanov, Johnny Juzang, and Pavel Zemskiy were unavailable due to injury and roster decisions, while Igor Volkhin returned to the lineup. Zenit’s starting five featured Andre Roberson, Trent Frazier, Sergey Karasev, Vladislav Emchenko, and Luka Šamanić.
Lokomotiv made a powerful start, with Tomislav Tomović’s team quickly building a comfortable lead and keeping the visitors at arm’s length. Zenit initially managed to recover from the early setback and responded offensively, but when the deficit reached 11 points, Rostislav Vergun called his first timeout. The brief pause did little to change the momentum, as the gap remained and even grew larger. In the opening quarter, the hosts controlled the boards and converted their scoring opportunities efficiently, particularly from close range, where they shot 80%. Zenit, meanwhile, found occasional success from beyond the arc (Vorontsevich from the corner and Moon at the buzzer) and drew fouls from the Krasnodar side. Despite the hosts’ confident start, Zenit managed to cut the deficit to six points by the end of the quarter, trailing 26:20.
At first, it seemed that Zenit’s momentum would continue into the second quarter and allow them to challenge their opponents more consistently. However, missed opportunities on offense and defensive mistakes enabled Lokomotiv Kuban to extend the lead to 15 points. The visitors needed an immediate response to prevent the gap from becoming insurmountable. Timely baskets in the paint from Frazier and Martiuk provided a spark, while Shcherbenev added both a three-pointer and a two-point field goal. Zenit reduced the deficit back to six points — the same margin they had faced at the start of the quarter. Nevertheless, the period ended level, and the score stood at 50:44 heading into halftime.
The third quarter was less prolific offensively for both teams. The game was played at a physical pace, with each side valuing every possession. Roberson stood out early in the period, scoring seven points in just a couple of minutes. Otherwise, the action at Basket Hall remained evenly matched, which was reflected on the scoreboard as well — 68:62.
Zenit needed a decisive run in the final ten minutes to put themselves in contention for the win. Instead, it was Lokomotiv that produced a game-changing stretch, going on a 14:0 run to build a 20-point advantage. One timeout followed another for the visitors from St. Petersburg. Gradually, Zenit recovered from the blow and, thanks to several three-pointers and fast-break opportunities, cut the deficit to just 5 points. Unfortunately for the Blue-White-Sky Blues, there was too little time remaining, and the Kuban side closed out the game for a 91:85 victory.
Xavier Moon was Zenit’s leading scorer, finishing with 17 points, 5 assists, and 2 rebounds.
The fifth and decisive game of the VTB United League 2025/26 bronze medal series will take place on June 12 in St. Petersburg. Tip-off is scheduled for 13:00 local time. Tickets are available on the club’s website.
