Bigbank/Kalev made light work of Viims on Saturday, running out 89-66 winners in the Latvia-Estonia League at the home venue. The visitors were never really in doubt as they built a comfortable lead and saw out the contest without trouble. By then it was clear enough what this fixture had in store.
The gap between the sides was evident from the opening moments, with the visitors finding their rhythm early. To be fair, Viims had little answer to the tempo Bigbank/Kalev set, and the visitors kept their heads when the home side tried to push back. The scoreboard told the story without needing much elaboration.
We had called for this result in our preview, putting confidence in the away side at 70%. That prediction held up, though it should not surprise anyone who has looked at the table. Bigbank/Kalev sit fourth with twenty wins from twenty-six games, while Viims languish in tenth place with just seven victories. The class difference shows through in the scoreline.
The standings make the picture clear enough. Viims have endured nineteen defeats across their campaign, with no draws to cushion the blow. Bigbank/Kalev have only suffered six losses, and that record speaks for itself. When you are in fourth place and your opponent sits in tenth, the expectation is rarely anything else.
Recent form does not tell a pretty story for the hosts. Their last five matches all ended in defeat, including heavy losses to Pärnu and a narrow escape against Riga Zeļļi. The away side have been more inconsistent, with defeats against Tartu Ülikool mixed in with some high-scoring affairs. But this result keeps them on track.
The final margin of twenty-three points reflects a game where the visitors controlled proceedings. Viims will need to find some answers if they are to climb away from the bottom half of the table. Bigbank/Kalev, meanwhile, have opened talks about maintaining their position in the upper reaches. One mistake ends it, but they have not made many this season.
