CSKA — Zenit, 23 November 2025

The highest level

The last couple of weeks have been very challenging for the red-blues – practically every game has special significance from a tournament or psychological standpoint. They've been coping well, even though the team suffered its only defeat of the stretch in Kazan, losing the lead in the VTB League standings to UNICS. Now the Muscovites face another test.

A good advantage during the preparation was that the team didn't have to leave the Megasport. The club's technical services only replaced the parquet flooring – removing the special WINLINE Basket Cup court provided by the league and installing our own, familiar, home floor. After that, the full team held three practices there.

“We're facing another classic derby in the VTB United League,” CSKA head coach Andreas Pistiolis said. “Zenit is a top-notch team, currently playing with a full roster. Therefore, we're facing a tough game, in which we need to play at the highest level.”

Reconstruction after reconstruction

Zenit's extensive personnel changes over the summer weren't enough to immediately establish the team as a favorite. It wasn't just the restructuring of the game under new head coach Aleksander Sekulic. Injuries played a role. First and foremost, the St. Petersburg team lost Alex Poythress for the rest of the season. Then, Nenad Dimitrijevic, Levi Randolph, Andre Roberson, Sergei Karasev, and Georgy Zhbanov were sidelined for varying periods.

Therefore, they had to once again enter the market and look for reinforcements. With Dimitrijevic, Randolph, and Zhbanov back in the lineup, bolstering the frontline became a logical step. First, center Luka Samanic arrived from Baskonia and immediately became a key player in the rotation. In a couple of games at his new position, the Croatian averaged 16.5 points and 6.5 rebounds.

These numbers – albeit briefly – outperform those of Zenit's current leading scorer, Randolph (15.9 points, 44.8% three-pointers), and Trent Frazier (13.9 points, 4.4 assists, 42.3% three-pointers).

The St. Petersburg team is also expecting the arrival of center Noah Vonleh soon, but he's unlikely to join the team before the trip to Moscow. Vonleh has been without a club for about a year and a half, but has extensive NBA experience plays role.

Past matchups

Wins-losses: 44-22 (5-0 in EuroLeague, 18-0 against Triumph Lyubertsy)

Game of the 2025-26 VTB United League season:

12-Oct-2025. Zenit - CSKA: 84-85 (+1)

Brief dossier

Zenit St.Petersburg, Russia

Founded: 2014
Colors: dark-blue, white, light-blue
Homecourt: KSK Arena (7,120)
CEO: Alexander Tserkovny
Head coach: Alexander Sekulic
Website: bc-zenit.com
Trophy case: VTB United League Champion (2022), Russian Champion (2022), 5-time VTB United League bronze medalist (2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2024), 5-time Russian Championship bronze medalist (2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2024), Russian Cup Winner (2024)