CSK Ural defeated Lokomotiv Kuban 2 105:81 in the Russian Cup on Sunday. The visitors completed a perfect start to the competition with three consecutive wins. And here's the thing — we had backed the home side at 69 per cent confidence. The prediction did not come true.
CSK Ural showed no signs of easing up after two previous victories in the tournament. They beat Тобольск 103:98 and Енисей 2 96:33 before this match. To be fair, their recent results suggest a team finding its rhythm quickly. Lokomotiv Kuban 2, meanwhile, had lost 89:100 to Камит Тверь just the day before.
The hosts have been inconsistent throughout their opening fixtures. They won against Динамо МГТУ 74:64 and Южный Слон 74:56, but those victories feel distant after this result. By then, it was clear that CSK Ural simply outclassed them on Sunday. The visitors never stopped pressing for more points.
CSK Ural now sit top of the table with three wins from three games. Lokomotiv Kuban 2's position in the standings is less certain after this defeat. The gap between the two sides in the tournament is widening. Things came to a head in this match — there was no contest.
The result means CSK Ural hold a commanding position in the Russian Cup. Lokomotiv Kuban 2 will need to regroup quickly if they want to stay competitive. The away end never stopped celebrating after the final whistle. That is the reality of where things stand now.
