On April 21, a series of semifinal games in the fight for the national championship of the 2021/22 season began for the "Tsmoki-Minsk" team. "Grodno-93" team became the opponent in the championship for our players. In the first match, the "Dragons" defeated Grodno with a score 89:76 (25:17, 25:13, 14:24, 25:22).
“Tsmoki-Minsk” played at a calm pace at the start of the match, and the first 2 points were scored by the wards of Predrag Mushicki. In the fourth minute, the opponents played with an equal score – 5:5. Vadяim Stubeda was able to increase the gap from Grodno by 4 points with two shots in a row. However, “Grodno-93” in the first half of the quarter did not allow the Minsk residents to go to a greater advantage. Our players demonstrated a high percentage of hits from an average distance, and with a throw from the penalty line in the 7th minute of the match Uladzislau Blizniuk passed for the second dozen points on the scoreboard in the team standings (20:13). At the first break, the "Dragons" left with an advantage of 8 points (25:17).
At the beginning of the second quarter, the team captain got a double-digit advantage for the “Tsmoki” – “+10” (27:17). “ With three-point” shots, Yauheni Beliankou and Uladzislau Blizniuk consolidated the leadership of Minsk residents on the floor. The “Dragons” adjusted the accuracy, and from that moment on they were able to repeatedly boast of hits from behind the arc. The confident pressure of our team forced the Serbian coach to take a time-out. Two “three”pieces" from Yauheni Beliankou brought the team as close as possible to an advantage of 20 points, and Uladzislau Blizniuk made a beautiful figure on the scoreboard with an accurate hit, from which the opponents went for a big break – 50:30.
In the third quarter, "Grodno-93" briefly got a second wind – with a 10:0 scoring run, Predrag Mushicki's wards managed to reduce the gap to 11 points (42:53). But the zeal for the victory of Minsk residents turned out to be stronger. Aliaksei Trastsinetski, Maksim Ksrattsou and Uladzislau Blizniuk managed to maintain a double–digit advantage of our team at the end of the quarter - 64:54.
In the first minutes of the final quarter, the "Dragons: failed to overcome the 10-point advantage. Another “three–pointer” from Yauheni Beliankou again gave his teammates a confident lead, but Grodno did not want to give up either - in the middle of the quarter, the guests made a breakthrough of 5 points (67:53). A real duel unfolded on the court, and the return 5 points in a row were already issued by “Tsmoki" (78:67). In the last minutes of the meeting, Darol Hernandez-Zinenko added entertainment and made a spectacular slamdunk, which, among other things, allowed the match to end with a confident victory with a score of 89:76.
The most productive:
"Tsmoki-Minsk": Uladzislau Blizniuk — 22 + 3 REB + 1 AST, Yauheni Beliankou — 20 + 5 REB + 1 AST+ 2 STL, Aliaksei Trastsinetski – 15 + 5 REB + 1 AST.
"Grodno-93": Maxim Lyutych — 16 + 6 REB + 1 AST+ 1 STL, Maxim Sazonov – 13 + 7 REB + 1 AST+ 2 STL, Dmitry Kuratnik – 12 + 2 REB.
Head coach of the team “Tsmoki-Minsk" Rostislav Vergun:
The most difficult thing for us is to be able to rebuild after the VTB United League games for the Belarusian championship. We have to understand that every game for all teams, without exception, we are super-irritants. And one should not allow oneself to think that victories will come at an easy price. The role of "veterans", leaders who should lead and show the right example, is very important. This is another chance to prove themselves to all players as leaders who make results. A new game awaits us the day after tomorrow. To achieve the desired result, we need to win 5 more matches. Congratulations to everyone on the victory. Thank you so much for your support, we are waiting for all the fans on Saturday at the next match.
Uladzislau Blizniuk, player of the team “Tsmoki-Minsk”:
I liked the performance of our team in the first half of the game. But you can't start the second half by missing a 10:0 break, and it starts to break us psychologically. I believe that we could have won with smaller forces, but a victory is a victory. I'm happy for the team.
The next game with the Grodno team will take place on April 23 at the home ground of “Tsmoki”. The starting face-off is at 1:00 PM. We invite everyone to come and support the team!