Velička's-fueled Neptūnas cooled down the Estonian-led Lietkabelis

Karlis Šilinšis scored 15 points, Arnas Velička – 14, and “Neptūnas”, pushed forward by these players, started the LKL small final with a home victory.

On Saturday, Klaipėda’s basketball players defeated Panevėžys “Lietkabelis” 86:73 (31:14, 15:23, 23:25, 17:11) and took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

The second game of the series will take place on Monday in Panevėžys, and on Sunday in Kaunas, the final teams will start their best-of-three series: Kaunas “Žalgiris” and Utena “Juventus”.

In Klaipėda – the first LKL battle in the series for bronze

First small final match: Klaipėda „Neptūnas“ – Panevėžys „Lietkabelis“. Vaidas Pauliukėnas

First small final match: Klaipėda „Neptūnas“ – Panevėžys „Lietkabelis“

First small final match: Klaipėda „Neptūnas“ – Panevėžys „Lietkabelis“. Gediminas Petrauskas

First small final match: Klaipėda „Neptūnas“ – Panevėžys „Lietkabelis“. Jonas Mačiulis and Gediminas Petrauskas

First small final match: Klaipėda „Neptūnas“ – Panevėžys „Lietkabelis“. Jonas Mačiulis

First small final match: Klaipėda „Neptūnas“ – Panevėžys „Lietkabelis“. Donatas Tarolis

+43

First small final match: Klaipėda „Neptūnas“ – Panevėžys „Lietkabelis“. Rihardas Lomažas

Despite losing the semi-final series to Utena and a small crowd of fans in Klaipėda (only 1.5 thousand fans) on Saturday, “Neptūnas” started the game with great energy.

Arnas Velička scored 11 points already in the first quarter, and “Neptūnas” pulled ahead by as many as 18 points (31:13).

“Lietkabelis” held on only thanks to Kristianas Kullamae’s efforts – the Estonian scored as many as 19 points before halftime and allowed the guests to keep their heads above water.

Photo by Rokas Lukoševičius/LKL, supported by Betsson/First small final match: Klaipėda „Neptūnas“ – Panevėžys „Lietkabelis“. Kristianas Kullamae

However, “Neptūnas” had more weapons – Karlis Šilinšis and Rihardas Lomažas together scored 12 Latvian points for the hosts in the third quarter, even though “Lietkabelis” cut the deficit to 7 points.

“Neptūnas” had prepared another wave of attacks. Gediminas Petrauskas’s proteges started the fourth quarter 12:3 and confidently sailed to victory.

Klaipėda players converted 62 percent of two-pointers, while the guests only 40 percent, and in the battle under the baskets, “Neptūnas” was stronger 38-32.

Kristianas Kullamae’s 25 points did not save the Panevėžys team.

Nenad Čanak’s Panevėžys team sorely lacked a greater contribution from foreign players. Warren Washington and Lazar Mutić remained with 3 points in total.

Jamel Morris scored 8 points, but made only 1 shot out of 10.

Most points for “Neptūnas”: Karlis Šilinšis 15, Arnas Velička 14 (5 ast.), Mindaugas Girdžiūnas 13, Donatas Tarolis 12, Arnas Beručka 11, Rihardas Lomažas and Harrison Cleary – 8 each;

For “Lietkabelis”: Kristianas Kullamae – 25 (3/6 2pt, 4/8 3pt, 7/7 FT), Paulius Danusevičius 10, Gabrielius Maldūnas 9, Jamel Morris (0/4 2pt, 1/6 3pt) and Dovis Bičkauskis – 8 each.

To be supplemented…

At a glance

In LKL history, both clubs have won silver medals twice each: “Lietkabelis” – in 2017 and 2022, and “Neptūnas” – in 2014 and 2016.
“Lietkabelis” has won bronze 5 times: in 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025.
“Neptūnas” has won bronze 3 times: in 2013, 2018 and 2019.

Sorting

Latest at the top

Latest at the bottom