CSKA vs UNICS, 12/04/2026

CSKA and UNICS face for WINLINE Basket Cup title

14:00 (Moscow time) CSKA vs UNICS

Saturday had one of the most dramatic games of the season — PARMA snatched the win from Zenit with a 20-0 run in the ending. CSKA and UNICS are ready to deliver a final that will be remembered for a long time.

Throughout the VTB United League regular season, the Moscow and Kazan teams fought a fierce battle for first place. CSKA managed to edge out the opponent only at the very end, when Velimir Perasovic team couldn’t keep up with the pace of the season’s most consistent team and made a few mistakes (Paris Lee and Ty Brewer will not play in the final). The season series ended with a 2-2 tie.

CSKA and UNICS had a day off after semifinals and will approach the decisive game prepared. As CSKA head coach Andreas Pistoliis said after the semifinals, the two strongest clubs in the VTB United League are currently battling for the WINLINE Basket Cup title.

CSKA defeats UNICS and becomes first WINLINE Basket Cup winner!

CSKA defeated UNICS in WINLINE Basket Cup final – 73:62 (22:17, 16:6, 16:17, 19:22).

Game progress
Top two teams of VTB United League regular season faced off in the WINLINE Basket Cup final.

CSKA started nervously and scored just 3 points in the first 5 minutes. Andreas Pistoliis turned the tide by bringing in his leader Melo Trimble, who revitalized the offense. Another successful move was bringing in Semen Antonov. The forward began making three-pointers. The Moscow team pulled ahead just before the end of the first quarter and completely locked UNICS in the second quarter. The Kazan team made just 1 of 19 long-range shots. UNICS scored 6 points in the second quarter and trailed by halftime – 23:38.

The third quarter was controlled by CSKA. The Kazan team still couldn’t score three-pointers consistently, and the Moscow team played with maximum intensity led by 14 points going to fourth quarter.

Key moment
There was no comeback. With a minute left, UNICS cut deficit to 8 points, but Antonius Cleveland lay-up put an end to the game. CSKA is the winner of the WINLINE Basket Cup!

X-Factor
5 of 33 three-pointers made (15.2%) prevented UNICS from contending for the win.

Facts
CSKA became the winner of the first-ever WINLINE Basket Cup.

The Moscow team lost to Mega in the tournament’s opening game, but then went on to win 7 straight games on the way to the trophy.

Leaders
CSKA: Melo Trimble (16), Antonius Cleveland (12)
UNICS: Jalen Reynolds (14 + 5 rebounds), Alexey Shved (11), Dmitry Kulagin (12 + 7 assists).