On December 29, Mogilev hosted a duel between the teams “MINSK” and “Grodno-93” in the fight for the main basketball trophy of the country – the Cup of Belarus-2022. Having won with the score 77:63 (15:21, 27:13, 18:11, 17:18), “ MINSK” became 14-time Cup winners.
Starting five:
MINSK: Daniil Kфsko, Benjamin-Pavel Dodoo, Aliaksei Trastsinetski, Darol Hernandez Zinenko, Uladzislau Blizniuk.
Grodno-93: Timur Dryukov, Dusan Maistrovich, Vladislav Shvakel, Nikola Jurich, Dmitry Kuratnik.
Game scenario
In the first minutes of the game, our team was able to make a breakthrough of 11 points: Daniil Kasko and Aliaksei Trastsinetski pleased the fans with two “three-point” in a row, and the captain of MINSK made two more effective shots from an average distance. However, the opponent from Grodno managed to make a retaliatory leap to maintain the lead on the court by the end of the first quarter – 21:15.
Having adjusted to the opponent's ring, our team, thanks to well-coordinated work, began to increase the pace of the game. In the middle of the quarter, Daniil Kasko, with an accurate throw from behind the arc, helped MINSK to gain an advantage on the scoreboard (27:29). Three more spectacular “three-pointers” performed by Vlad Blizniuk and Daniil Kasko allowed our team to go on a big break with “+8" on the scoreboard (34:42).
Today, Minsk residents tried to please their fans with repeated hits from behind the arc. So, at the start of the third quarter, Darol Hernandez Zinenko scored a bright “three-point” shot, which helped the team to get a double-digit advantage on the scoreboard (34:45). Meanwhile, fouls became more frequent in the Grodno team, which allowed MINSK to get another 5 points from the penalty line. Our team continued the confident struggle, having made a number of hits in the ring “Grodno-93”. In the last minute of the quarter, Vlad Blizniuk made his third three-pointer of the game, and the opponents went to the final break with a score of 45:60.
Interchange
Maintaining a confident double-digit advantage on the scoreboard, MINSK were getting closer to receiving the coveted trophy. In the final quarter, Aliaksei Trastsinetski, Uladzislau Blizniuk, Kiryl Sitnik, Daniil Kasko and Darol Hernandez Zinenko scored accurate hits into the opponent's ring. The game ended with the victory of MINSK with a score of 77:63.
Number
12 – so many shots from behind the arc were made by the MINSK players in today's match.
At the award ceremony of the teams, Vladislav Bliznyuk was recognized as the best defender and MVP. And Daniil Kasko is the best young player. Congratulations to everyone on the victory!
The most productive:
MINSK: Uladzislau Blizniuk – 15 + 3 REB + 7 AST + 1 STL, Daniil Kasko – 12 + 2 REB + 1 AST + 1 STL, Darol Hernandez Zinenko – 12 + 7 REB + 6 AST + 3 STL.
Grodno-93: Vladislav Shvakel – 16 + 2 REB + 7 AST, Nikola Djuric – 15 + 8 REB + 2 AST + 1 STL, Maxim Sazonov – 10 + 8 REB + 2 AST + 1 block.
MINSK head coach Rostislav Vergun: “I am very glad that the trophy remains in the club. It is very important and honorable for us to carry the title of the best team in the country. Maybe it doesn't look easy, but I feel like there is a margin, the guys are adding. I am very happy for those who become the best for the first time. There is a lot of work ahead and I want these positive emotions that the Cup of the Country gave us to be transferred to the VTB United League and we showed our best qualities and the best game at a higher level. Happy New Year to everyone, let your dreams come true, as we have at the Cup. We are waiting for everyone at the basketball!”
MINSK defender Uladzislau Blizniuk: ”Congratulations to the whole club and everyone involved with the victory. Today was a tough match, but we came out charged and played to victory. We had a goal to win, and we accomplished this task. We are all very happy to become Cup winners for the 14th time. It is always very nice to have such a long series of achievements. The season is not over yet, we will continue to work. Now we have a small New Year's holiday, we are in a good mood. Have a nice weekend and Happy New Year to everyone!”
After the New Year holidays, MINSK will play against Zenit on January 4 in the VTB United League. The match will take place at the Minsk Arena at 19:30. Come and support the team! Tickets are available on the website and at points of sale KVITKI.by .