Igokea m:tel vs Zenit, 04/12/2025

Zenit and Igokea will resume Winline Basket Cup in Bosnia

Igokea will host Zenit in Laktasi as part of the WINLINE Basket Cup on Thursday.

Igokea (Bosnia and Herzegovina) vs. Zenit (Russia)

Time: 19:00 (21:00 Moscow time)

Place: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Laktasi, Laktasi Sports Hall

Broadcast: VK Video, WINLINE Basket Cup website

Igokea: The team has had a strong start to the Adriatic League season (4-1), but at the end of November, in the last game before the 2027 World Cup Qualifiers window, it lost 22 points in Serbia to Borac Cacak. Considering Igokea loss at home to Uralmash in overtime, Nenad Stefanovic’s team will go into the game against Zenit with maximum motivation.

Zenit: The break was the best that could have happened to the St. Petersburg team, which had suffered an epidemic of injuries and rebuilt its squad. The renewed Zenit will face Igokea in first time in history, with former NBA player Noah Vonleh expected to make his debut. Luka Samanic recently joined the team and has already proven himself. The American and Croatian could form a formidable frontcourt duo. In Laktasi, the team will be looking for new team chemistry. Aleksander Sekulic is pleased with the level of teamwork that has already been achieved in training, but at the same time, Zenit is planning to win.

WINLINE Basket Cup is back after break: Zenit defeats Igokea in Bosnia

Zenit defeated Igokea in WINLINE Basket Cup group stage game on the road – 83:80.

Game progress

The game in Bosnia and Herzegovina marked the resumption of the WINLINE Basket Cup after a break for national teams window. Tyree Breein led Igokea to get an advantage in the first quarter, but Zenit with Luka Samanic picked up the pace noticeably at the start of the second quarter. However, the Bosnian leaders allowed to regain the lead. The hosts had slight lead by halftime – 43:41.

The game was close till the end, the lead changed a lot. Neither can get initiative.

Key moment

Towards the end of the game, every shot counted. In the final seconds, with the score tied, Trent Frazier took the initiative. The guard shook off his opponent, freed up space for himself and made step-back three-pointer with 3 seconds left – 83:80. Igokea didn’t have enough time to respond.

X-factor

Noah Vonleh made his debut for Zenit – and made a difference. The former NBA player earned the coaching staff’s trust and, even with his mistakes, became one of the most notable players on the visiting team. With 14 points, the forward was the team’s second-leading scorer.

Facts

Igokea and Zenit played each other in an official game for the first time.

The third WINLINE Basket Cup game in history outside Russia ended in regulation – the winners of the two previous games in Belgrade and Laktasi were determined in overtime.

Leaders

Igokea: Tyree Breein (24), Borisa Simanic (11)

Zenit: Luka Samanic (15), Noah Vonleh (14), Georgy Zhbanov (12)

Next game

UNICS (Russia) vs. Uralmash (Russia) on December 13.