PARMA, Russia (Interstat) — A surging Nizhny Novgorod II squad will look to continue its climb against a battle-tested Parma II team when the VTB Youth United League rivals meet Tuesday at FOK Victory.

The visiting Nizhny Novgorod II (12-6) enters on a three-game winning streak, including a 71-67 road victory over Uralmash II on Saturday. They have won five of their last six contests, showcasing an efficient and improving roster.

A key catalyst has been forward Andrey Shportun. The young standout is coming off a dominant 13-rebound performance in just 22 minutes in a win over Uralmash II on April 3. He followed that with a 17-point, 9-rebound effort in a blowout of UNICS Kazan II on March 21. His recent activity on the glass and scoring punch will be vital for the visitors.

They face a Parma II team (25-19) that possesses a significant edge in experience and volume of games played this season. Despite a recent 79-88 loss to UNICS Kazan II on April 3, Parma II responded emphatically with an 82-57 rout of the same opponent on Saturday, demonstrating resilience.

Parma II’s consistency is often fueled by forward Grigory Golovchenko, a double-double threat every time he steps on the court. In his last seven games, Golovchenko has recorded six double-doubles, including an 18-point, 13-rebound outing in a win on March 24. His ability to control the paint and contribute across the stat sheet makes him the focal point of the home team’s scheme.

The matchup in the frontcourt between Shportun and Golovchenko could dictate the tempo. Nizhny Novgorod II will rely on its recent momentum and defensive cohesion, while Parma II will leverage its depth of experience and home-court advantage.

This contest is the first of a quick back-to-back set between the teams, with a rematch scheduled for Wednesday at the same venue. Tuesday’s result will set the tone for a critical mini-series in the youth league standings. Tip-off is set for Tuesday evening at FOK Victory in Parma.