BC Kyiv have suffered a 84:74 loss to BC Donetsk in game four of the semifinal series, allowing the Superleague newcomers to challenge the defending champions Azovmash in the Finals.

 Kyiv had a promising start to the game with both centers in the starting lineup. While Oleg Saltovets was solid on the offensive end, Slava Kravtsov was dominant on defense, starting the contest up with three blocks. This resulted in a 21:25 Kyiv lead at the end of the period.

The visitors continued to control the flow of the game up in the second period, but went on a draught midway through the frame, with Donetsk taking advantage of it with a 14:0 run that gave them a 10-point edge. Kyiv reduced the margin to six, but Demetrius Alexander, who scored four straight free-throws that followed two Kyiv’s technicals, put his team up by nine to end the half.

Donetsk continued to roll and gained a 14-point lead, but Kyiv once again reduced it to four, restoring the hope. Unable to control the defensive boards, the visitors didn’t manage get closer and hosts restored an eight-point lead.

Kyiv refused to give in, fighting for every ball in the final frame. They clawed their way back in the game and cut the deficit to three points (75:72) with under two minutes to go. But that was as close as they managed to get: a turnover on the offensive end and a three-ball from Dmytro Zabirchenko have paved the way for Donetsk to the finals and have sent Kyiv to the consolation series against Khimik.