Too tough at the moment: UNICS was good but, anyway, lost against Barcelona for the sixth time in its history

Bogachev inspected ticket offices

UNICS started the VTB United League very successfully with three wins. What is more, Enisey, who did not let the reigning winner of Euroleague – CSKA – go ahead during more than a half of the match in Moscow, was in the capital of Tatarstan last week and was humiliated by a huge margin. Such a start charged Pashutin's with psychological confidence that the coach told the press about. Some players, for example, central player Parakhovsky made quite brave public statements that they were not afraid of 'great and terrible' Barça at all.

An active sale of tickets to the super match took place during the entire week in the Basket Hall's ticket offices. I bought tickets for my family 8 hours before the match – there were not many people near ticket offices, but there was not almost any choice of seats. Leaving the ticket office, I came across the president of UNICS Evgeny Bogachev.

'Are you supervising the sales, Mr Bogachev?' I asked the patron of the club.

'Sure. I need to know whether the hall will be full today,' replies Bogachev, who is a sound steward who takes into account all the details in the business he dedicated all his labour and soul to.

Bogachev takes into account all the details in the business he dedicated all his labour and soul to

UNICS should play futsal

The depth and the strength of the squad in his season allow Evgeny Pashutin to play with two equal teams, which is a characteristic of futsal, not basketball. UNICS started the first match in the main club competition of the Old World with the same squad he used before: defenders Keith Langford and Anton Ponkrashov, forwards Pavel Antipov, Coty Clarke and central player Anton Parakhovsky. At the moment injuries are passing by the team, thank God. Even Kostas Kaimakoglou started to train with the rest of the team.

We can't say the same about the opponent. Only one central player left in Pascual's team (Ante Tomić) – Erazem Lorbek has been recovering for almost two years, the Nigerian Shane Lawal was injured in Rio, there are losses in other lines too (for example, Koponen). Nevertheless, the Barça weakened with injuries looks good. The exhibition game against Oklahoma proved it. But the Catalonians' official start of the season doesn't impress, of course. Neither does ours. Injuries, starts of national competitions, pre-match statements – everything is forgotten when the presentation of the starting five in the roaring Basket Hall ends. Things are moving, gentlemen of the jury!

Only one central player left in Pascual's team

+14 is little against Barcelona

The Kazan basketball players opened the score, though the teams had several dangerous attacks. But Barcelona could not counterattack quickly – Langford managed to save his hoop at the last moment. The Kazan players used almost every attempt and successfully made three-pointers. I would like to note Evgeny Voronov who substituted and started to block the Spaniards' shots immediately, so he did not let them go ahead.

A legend of Spanish basketball Navarro appeared at the beginning of the second quarter. Of course, fans welcomed him with applause. The teams could not be distinguished. Then it all began. A dunk shot by Williams with Langford's assist should be noted. In general, the game was even. But the Kazan players were more accurate while taking their chances. Langford and Williams were especially noticeable. The teams ended the first half 36-34 in favour of UNICS. The Minister of Sport of Tatarstan Vladimir Leonov who couldn't miss the match was also happy.

The third quarter started like the second one. However, UNICS managed to take the initiative, so there was a margin of ten points. Not Barça started to play bad but UNICS did it well. Clarke performed an awesome dunk with Parakhovsky's long assist. The teams stopped scoring by the middle of the fourth quarter – the ball refused to shoot through the hoop. UNICS interrupted the series of mutual mistakes when two minutes left before the end of the quarter thanks to Langford's accurate shot. 51-43.

UNICS was good but, anyway, lost against Barcelona

The Kazan players started to defend more from the fourth quarter. At the same time Evgeny Pashutin's players performed excellent attacks and shot out of the hoop, made dunks and three-pointers. But what Williams did in this match – he has more than a half of the rebounds, several block shots and points, of course, under his belt. At one moment UNICS started to give way after +14 – all in all, Barcelona started to press and levelled the score.

The Kazan players tried to hold the lead, but Barça is Barça. The final score is 63-69 in favour of the Spanish club. Barcelona's forward Justin Dolman who earned 23 points was the best player of the match. Keith Langford with 14 points was the best player from UNICS.

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  Evgeny Pashutin head coach at UNICS

  We planned to play in defence and control the rhythm of Barcelona. It was not successful at the beginning, Justin Dolman scored many points. Then we corrected the game, Barcelona scored 20 points during 20 minutes. There was a concentration in our defence, we moved the ball well. Psychologically, we behaved wrongly when the score was +14. We believed in the victory too early, we wanted to shoot every ball through the hoop. The game was in our hands. We lost it ourselves. I take the responsibility for it.