Zenit vs PARMA. Preview

We are returning to St. Petersburg with a game against PARMA. The match against the team from Perm will mark the start of a series of three home games for Xavi Pascual's team. Here are the most interesting details ahead of tomorrow's game.

Context

For the third season in a row brothers Evgeny and Zakhar Pashutin are at the helm of the Perm team. Despite the stability on the coaching bench, the team’s roster has significantly changed this summer. Except for captain Stanislav Ilnitskiy, many experienced players have left the club. Replacing the former leaders are ex-CSKA player Samson Ruzhentsev, along with the well-known Russian players Alexander Zakharov and Timofey Yakushin. Among the foreign recruits are Garrett Nevels, Alex Hamilton and former Zenit player Royce Hamm.

The entirely new PARMA is gradually finding its rhythm this season, though not too successfully so far. Both away games in Saratov and Nizhny Novgorod ended in losses. The first victory was achieved just this past weekend in a home game against Astana — 95:63.

Connections

Newcomer to the Perm team Royce Hamm previously played for Zenit. The center represented our club during the 2022/23 season.

It's also worth noting that Evgeny Pashutin, during his time as head coach of CSKA Moscow, worked alongside Andrey Vorontsevich. Together, they won the inaugural VTB United League championship in the 2009/10 season.

Additionally, Igor Volkhin played for the Khimki system teams alongside PARMA players — guard Timofey Yakushin and forward Dmitriy Cheburkin.

Head-to-head

The history of the rivalry between the blue-whites and the Ural team totals 20 games in the United League. The St. Petersburgers are the leaders in this statistic, with 17 wins against 3 victories for the Permians.

Quotes

Head coach of Zenit Xavi Pascual about upcoming game with Parma.

First of all, we are coming back here to our stadium and we would like to play with as many supporters as possible because this makes us very, very happy to be together. We are going to play against one team that in the last game they played very well against Astana. They won easy. One team in construction. Almost the main part of the team is new, so they need time and they have a great coach and we know that it's going to be a difficult night for us. On the other side, we are coming from this win in Kazan and the team is improving and we want to show to our supporters that it's like this.

Who. Where. When. 

Opponent: PARMA

Location: CSC Arena, St. Petersburg

Date: October 3, 19:30 (local time)

Broadcast: Match Strana, VTB United League website, Okko Sport, Start

Tickets are available on tickets.bc-zenit.com.