Semi-final round-up

The Russian won the game 76-69 but held a 20-point advantage with just four minutes to go before a collapsing down the stretch, which allowed Madrid to go on a 17-4 run and get right back into the tie.

The Lavrinovic twins had helped put Kazan within touching distance of their first ULEB Cup final, with Darjus having 17 points and three blocked shots while Ksystof chipped in with 14 points and nine rebounds

Jerry McCullough added 15 and seven rebounds but the Russian now still have it all to do if they hope to make it to Charleroi.

Charles Smith and Felipe Reyes were the men who kept Madrid in the tie; Smith poured in 26 points off 6-6 shooting while Felipe Reyes added 22 and eight rebounds, with the duo coming to the fore in the crucial final moments.

In the other semi-final Lietuvos Rytas took control of their tie against BC FMP Zeleznik and will take an 11 point advantage to Serbia after securing an 78-67 victory in Vilnius.

Zeleznik's coach Vlada Vukoicic was left furious with Predrag Samardziski at the finish, as the guard committed a complete unnecessary foul on Arturas Jomantas with less than a second to go after being stolen in the Rytas backcourt.

That allowed the young Lithuanian to tag on two free throws at the end of the match that could prove to be crucial in the overall outcome of the tie.

It could have been even worse for BC FMP as they trailed by 19 points early in the 3rd quarter, but Vukoicic's young side showed experience beyond their years to fight their way back into contention.

However, it was very much a team performance that saw the home side claim victory with their top scorer on the night, Tomas Delininkaitis, only scoring 14 points.

In comparison Zeleznik had a clear go-to-go-guy in the form of Zoran Erceg who had 21 points and eight rebounds, but he didn't have enough help from his support cast, and BC FMP now have it all to do in Serbia.

The two second-legs both take place next Tuesday.