Tomorrow, on January 15, «Astana» will hold another home match in the framework of the VTB United League championship against «VEF» from Riga, Latvia.

Chronicle of past meetings:
The basketball club from Latvia participates in the VTB United League since 2009. In different years the achievements of the team changed with the mentors of the club. In 2012/2013 it was the most successful season for the «VEF.» During a year «VEF» became the champion of Latvia in 2012 and 2013. At the same time, the Rigans entered the TOP-16 of the best teams in the European Cup and were also entered 8 best team list  in the VTB League, which allowed them to enter the playoff round. Then the team was headed by the Lithuanian specialist Ramunas Butautas, the ex-chief coach of Astana from 2014 to 2016.
Regarding the personal meetings of «Astana» — «VEF», the teams met on the court 12 times, 4 of which were in favor of «Astana.»
 
Current situation:
For the third consecutive season, the team has been headed by Latvian specialist Janis Gailitis. The roster of the team has changed significantly in comparison with the previous one, the famous Latvian player, the captain of the Latvian National Team, Janis Blums, who is well known to the Kazakh public, left the club, Blooms defended the colors of the Astana team in the 2013/2014 season. American defender Alex Perez has become the current leader of the team, with an average of 12 points per game.

Standings:
Basketball club «VEF» takes the last place in the standings of VTB League with the result of 1 victory, 8 defeats.

Commentary of the head coach of BC «Astana», Mikhail Karpenko:
- «VEF» is an excellent team with its own style of the game, the main peculiarities of their game are the attack from the perimeter, a lot of three-point shots, a good transition from defense to attack. The fact that they are in the last place in the standings does not reflect the strength of the team, the recent match against «Avtodor» showed where they lost at the very end of the match. This team will not be easy to play with, they are in the same situation as we are, they still have the theoretical chances of getting into the playoff. Our task is to recover ourselves from the previous defeats, effectively and orderly to play in defense and find our best opportunities in the attack. I expect that we will be able to defeat «VEF,» but every player, who plays on the court, must strain every nerve to win, and we have already started this work in our practices.

Where, when, at what time?
Arena: Republican cycle track «Saryarka»
Time: 19.30 by the time of Astana
Broadcast: VTB United League website, BC «Astana» website, «QazSport» TV channel

Today's game can be called one of the most important. Both teams are equal in strength, both teams craved this victory. The game itself revealed whom luck favored today.

The guests broke the ice, but the hosts did not take long to wait,Ike Udalo brought the team 2 points with a spectacular throw. The first part of the match started at a good pace, the teams attacked effectively. Team leader Justin Carter scored three-pointers, which worked well. The entire period was very tense, the balance tipped from one team to another with every attack. The first period of the match ended with a score of 23:19 in favor of «Astana.» The second period was less intense. «Astana» could not successfully realize the throws, and the opponent took advantage of it and scored easy points. When Justin Carter entered the game, the situation has changed. «Astana» gained a good advantage — 41:30.

After a long break, the teams did not lower their playing amplitude. The game was gaining speed, «Astana» also worked well in each attack, which demonstrated leadership in the third quarter — 57:49, as a result of the third period. The final period was completely under the control of the «Astana» players, who did not give a chance to the opponent. The meeting ended with a score of 67:53 in favor of «Astana».

Justin Carter became the most effective player of the match — 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, Anthony Clemmons brought the team — 14 points, Ike Udano and Larry Gordon scored 11 points.

Acting coach of BC «Astana» Mikhail Karpenko:
- We were not ideal in the attack, but we managed to play well in defense and fulfilled the plan for the game. We allowed the opponent to score only 53 points, which is a good result so far . Of course, we need to improve our game in the attack. As a fact, this was my first match, and the team should also get used to all the requirements, nevertheless I'm grateful to all the players. This was a difficult game, and «VEF» fought well.

Head coach of «VEF» Janis Gailitis:
- I congratulate «Astana» on the victory, I would like to note the defense of our rivals — they worked well and did not let us move the ball quickly in the attack. We had the opportunity to score more, but we did not take advantage of this. I would also like to note that we played quite well in the episodes, I hope that in the upcoming games we will be able to perform more successfully.

«Astana» will hold the next match on the road, on January 20. The capital basketball players will meet with the Saratov «Avtodor « in the framework of the VTB United League.