May 24, 2012
Team Focus: Unics Kazan
    2007-2008 Games
    Regular Season
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Nov. 06
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Nov. 13
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Nov. 20
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Nov. 27
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Dec. 04
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Dec. 11
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Dec. 18
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Jan. 08
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Jan. 15
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Jan. 22
Unics Kazan One of the ULEB Cup's best teams the past two seasons, Unics Kazan is a developing power and threat to win it all this time. Last year Unics wasn't stopped until the semifinals when it ran into eventual champion Real Madrid. But this year the squad promises to be even better, after adding stars like Tariq Kirksay, Joseph Forte and Nikolay Padius to the existing core of Darjus Lavrinovic, Jerry McCullough and Sergei Chikalkin. McCullough is the team's motor, a veteran playmaker who fuels the high-scoring Kazan attack with his on-the-ball pressure and his high-speed transition play. Forte may be his ideal backcourt partner. An outstanding athlete, he should excel in the team's high-tempo style, forcing turnovers and scoring in the open-court and from outside. The experienced Padius brings a nice scoring touch, while Viktor Keyro returns to the club after a year away to provide penetration ability and solid defense on the winds. Chikalkin provides unlimited shooting range, while pass-first teenage guard Pavel Sergeev rounds out the backcourt. Kirksay was simply one of the best players players in the competition last season, contributing with points in the paint and on the perimeter, rebounds, assists, steals and blocked shots. He may be extra dangerous along the likes of former All-Euroleague big man Lavrinovic, an all-around player who essentially excels at the same things. Talented big man Dusko Savanovic hopes to break through this season, while Virgil Stanescu's size and experience gives coach Antanas Sireika someone to trust in the paint. At 2.14 meters, young Dmitry Sokolov can still impact the game in a reserve role, while Alexey Zhukanenko will provide depth at center. This team has all the necessary tools to go far this season, and moreover to have fun doing so while scoring points in bunches. If the defense kicks in too, Unics could be the best by the time this season is over.

2006-07
ULEB CUP
Season
(7-3)
Playoffs
Semis
RUSSIA
Season
(21-3)
Playoffs
Final
Unics Kazan has gone a long way towards helping Russian basketball since the club was established in 1991. Sergey Chikalkin - Unics KazanBetween 1994 and 1997, Unics secured a berth in Russia's first division, and then made a smashing debut, establishing itself among the top five teams in the country. Unics already played European competitions in 1997, but the new millenium happened to be a turning point for the club. The team placed second to CSKA in the Russian League in 2001 and 2002, the year in which it also reached the Saporta Cup semifinals, losing against Maroussi in the semifinals. Unics’ first title was the Russian Cup in March 2003, with an electrifying 81-82 overtime victory over CSKA. Unics fans did not have to wait long to see their team win a European title, too. Kazan hosted the FIBA Europe League final four in April 2004 and Unics made sure of its opportunity. Unics signed Saulius Stombergas, Eurelijus Zukauskas or Chris Anstey, won its regular season group and advanced to the final four on its own floor, where it was crowned the champion as MVP Martin Muursepp scored 22 points in an 87-63 win over Maroussi in the title game. By 2005-06, Unics went one level up and made its ULEB Cup debut, tying the best regular season record in the competition’s history. Things turned south quickly, as it lost at home against Roma for the only time all season in the eighthfinals’ second leg and crashed out earlier than expected. Unics got stronger for last season, keeping the core group of the previous season's side while adding Darjus Lavrinovic to reunite with twin brother Ksistof in a twin towers set full of talent. The team made it to the ULEB Cup semifinals before losing to eventual champs Real Madrid. It also returned to the Russian League finals, losing against perennial champion CSKA. Unics is back in the ULEB Cup with the only goal to reach even higher and make the city of Kazan proud of its mighty basketball team.
Friday, November 02, 2007
ULEBCup.com
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