VTBU21 Basketball League

Overview

The VTB United League (VTB UL), also known as the VTB United League of Basketball, is a professional basketball league that was founded in 2008. The league is headquartered in Moscow, Russia, and comprises teams from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Estonia, and Latvia.

The VTB UL is one of the most competitive basketball leagues in Europe, and it is considered to be the second-best league in Europe after the EuroLeague. The league has a regular season that runs from September to May, followed by a playoff tournament that determines the league champion.

History

The VTB UL was founded in 2008 as a joint venture between the Russian Basketball Federation and the Russian Professional Basketball League. The league was initially known as the VTB United League of Basketball, but it was renamed to the VTB United League in 2012.

The first season of the VTB UL was played in 2008-09, and it was won by CSKA Moscow. CSKA Moscow has been the most successful team in the league's history, winning a total of seven championships.

Teams

The VTB UL is currently comprised of 14 teams from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Estonia, and Latvia. The teams in the league are:

• Avtodor Saratov (Russia)
• CSKA Moscow (Russia)
• Enisey Krasnoyarsk (Russia)
• Khimki Moscow Region (Russia)
• Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar (Russia)
• Nizhny Novgorod (Russia)
• Parma Perm (Russia)
• Tsmoki Minsk (Belarus)
• Astana (Kazakhstan)
• Kalev/Cramo (Estonia)
• VEF Riga (Latvia)

Format

The VTB UL regular season is played in a round-robin format, with each team playing each other twice. The top eight teams in the regular season standings qualify for the playoffs.

The playoffs are played in a single-elimination format, with the top four teams in the regular season standings receiving a bye to the quarterfinals. The winner of the playoffs is crowned the VTB UL champion.

Champions

The following teams have won the VTB UL championship:

• CSKA Moscow (7)
• Khimki Moscow Region (2)
• Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar (1)

Impact

The VTB UL has had a significant impact on the development of basketball in Russia and the surrounding region. The league has helped to improve the level of competition in the region, and it has also helped to develop some of the best basketball players in the world.

The VTB UL is also a major economic force in the region. The league generates millions of dollars in revenue each year, and it helps to support the local economies of the cities that host VTB UL games.