EUROCUP - Popovic, Lampe lead UNICS to title and into next season's Euroleague

TREVISO (Eurocup) - Poland center Maciej Lampe poured in 26 points and corralled 11 rebounds and Croatia's Marko Popovic had another big day for UNICS Kazan as the Russian team beat Cajasol Sevilla 92-77 on Sunday to win the Eurocup.

Popovic, who also had four three-balls and 14 points in UNICS' 87-66 rout of Cedevita Zagreb in Saturday's semi-final, was voted MVP of the event that was staged in Treviso.

The triumph secured more than a trophy for Evgeny Pashutin's side.

It also booked a spot in next season's Euroleague for UNICS.

After blowing out Cedevita, UNICS tore apart Cajasol in the first quarter by scoring 32 points to go in front by 16.

Joan Plaza's Spaniards reduced the arrears to seven midway through the third quarter on a drunk by Juan Jose Triguero but UNICS kept their noses in front and pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring their opponents 21-15 over the last 10 minutes.

"It's been a long road getting to this point, with a lot of ups and downs this year, but we have true professionals on this team," Lampe said.

"They stick together, work hard every day and know what it takes to win."

Popovic was thrilled.

"I became a father not too long ago," he said.

"That was the best feeling of my life, but this is probably the second best."

"They were the best team and we have no excuses," Cajasol boss Plaza said.

"It was a big mountain to overcome and I don't blame my players."

Kelly McCarty also had 18 points and Terrell Lyday 15 for UNICS on Sunday while Louis Bullock and Txemi Urtasun scored 15 apiece in defeat.

The two players had themselves quite a weekend.

Lyday had 27 points and McCarty 18 in UNICS' victory over Cedevita.

Cedevita bounced back from their opening-day setback and beat hosts Benetton Treviso 59-57 to clinch third place in Sunday's first game.

Benetton had fallen in their opener to Cajasol, 75-63.

FIBA