CSKA — UNICS, 12 April 2026

Fitting game for the final

A tough but convincing victory over Zenit the previous day, coupled with the welcoming sun painting the northern sky a vibrant azure, certainly boosts the Red-Blues' spirits. Despite the biting wind, many went out for a walk on Saturday morning and then headed to KSK Arena for a practice in the afternoon.

Under normal circumstances, after such a difficult game, the coaches would give the players a day off, but in the Final Four format, there's no time for rest. All that remains is to restructure the preparatory training: dispense with contact and work on individual skills and tactical details. Fortunately, the coaches have a choice of all 14 players listed: CSKA (knock on wood) is the only participant in this tournament playing with a full roster.

"UNICS is our toughest opponent," noted CSKA head coach Andreas Pistiolis. "They're a high-level team that plays with high level of intensity. This will be a fitting game for the final and hopefully we will end up with the title."

A wide rotation

UNICS is the second-ranked team in the United League this season and, so far, CSKA's toughest opponent. The teams tied in the regular season, trading home wins. The Muscovites won that matchup only on points difference.

Yesterday's semifinal was a straightforward affair for Velimir Perasovic's men. Parma struggled early, trailing by a huge margin and unable to recapture the lead, despite a late attempt to rally. UNICS's best player on Friday was CSKA alum Andrei Lopatin, who scored 24 points. Jalen Reynolds also had a strong showing, scoring 20 points. A powerful big man coming off the bench is usually Kazan's main option. In the WBC, he's averaging 18.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in just 22.9 minutes per game. His frontcourt partner, Marcus Bingham, is averaging 15.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks.

Unfortunately, Paris Lee and Ty Brewer, who thwarted the Army Men in the previous Kazan game, missed the semifinals due to injury, but the team's rotation remains strong and deep.

Past matchups

Wins-losses: 98-30

CSKA biggest margin of victory: 102-54 (+48) (1997-98 Russian Championship. Quarterfinal)
UNICS biggest margin of victory: 113-77 (-36) (2000-01 Russian Superleague. Regular season. 2nd stage)

Games of 2025-26 VTB League Season:

Regular season

25-Oct-2025. CSKA – UNICS: 86-75 (+11)
15-Nov-2025. UNICS – CSKA: 76-75 (-1)
01-Feb-2026. CSKA – UNICS: 84-80 (+4)
15-Mar-2026. UNICS – CSKA: 86-80 (-6)

Brief dossier

UNICS Kazan

Founded: 1991
Color: green, black, white
Home court: Basket Hall (7,500)
President: Evgeny Bogachev
Head coach: Velimir Perasovic
Website: www.unics.ru
Trophy case:
- EuroCup winner (2011);
- FIBA Europe League winner (2004);
- VTB League and Russian champion (2023);
- 9-time Russian League runner-up (2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2021, 2024),
- 8-time Russian League bronze winner (2000, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2022, 2025),
- NEBL champion (2003),
- 3-time Russian Cup winner (2003, 2009, 2014),
- 3-Russian Cup runner-up (2005, 2007, 2010),
- 5-time VTB United League runner-up (2010, 2012, 2016, 2021, 2024)
- 3- time VTB United League bronze winner (2014, 2022, 2025)