Tarakanov: “UNICS is the favorite in the seventh game of the semi-final with Lokomotiv-Kuban, but I wouldn’t put all the money on it”

Olympic champion Sergei Tarakanov believes that UNICS Kazan has a better chance of winning in the seventh match of the VTB United League semi-final series with Lokomotiv-Kuban.

The seventh match of the VTB United League semi-final UNICS – Lokomotiv-Kuban will take place on May 22 in Kazan. The game starts at 19.00 (Moscow time). The score in the best-of-four series is 3-3.

Earlier, CSKA reached the final of the tournament, having won the semi-final series against Zenit (4-2).

— Before the start of the playoffs, you said that UNICS was the favorite in the fight for the title. Now, before the seventh match of the Kazan team in the semi-finals, are you going back on your words?

— Of course, the seventh match is an unpredictable story. But I still think UNICS is the favorite. Moreover, they play at home. Especially after such a resounding slap in the face in the sixth game. Such defeats damage one’s self-esteem. But I won’t be surprised if Lokomotiv-Kuban wins. The teams are equal. There are only compliments to the United League for such an unpredictable championship that is incredibly interesting for fans.

— Loko and UNICS played in last year’s final, and then the Kazan team needed five matches to win. Now it’s time to the seventh game. What has changed in the balance of power?

— Unfortunately, for me, as a fan, Lokomotiv’s starting five often includes only foreign players. But it seems to me that it is impossible to win the championship only with foreigners. Russians contribute, they give passion, emotions, desire. Of course, it’s up to the coach to decide. It’s just that the Krasnodar team has always been an example of how to pull up and develop young people. In the current playoffs, the club often retreats from this line.

I repeat, from my point of view, UNICS is the favorite, but, as I always say, I’m not ready to put all my money on it,” Rossiyskaya Gazeta quotes Tarakanov as saying.

Watch the live broadcast of the UNICS – Lokomotiv-Kuban meeting on Wednesday from 18:30 on the Match TV and Match! Game”, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.