„Rytas“ won the FIBA Champions League trophy in the 2025–2026 season. The long-awaited title on the European front delighted the fans and gave wings to the players and enthusiasts.
But those destined to fly must also land. Dreams of a fight in the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) final quickly faded. In the quarterfinal series, the Vilnius team lost 0:2 to Utena’s „Juventus“.
After this defeat, the long-time „Rytas“ coach Giedrius Žibėnas was dismissed, and his successor became Nedas Pacevičius.
- Giedrius Žibėnas took over the Vilnius team’s helm in 2021.
- The Kaunas native won the LKL with “Rytas” in 2022 and 2024, and triumphed in the FIBA Champions League in 2026.
„A decision had to be made whether we are together or not. You have to evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and this is very important for both sides. You need to assess whether we want to continue together,“ club general director Martynas Giga told Gabriela Miknevičiūtė on the „MissMatch“ show.
– The decision was made that it was time to part ways. We have to think about the future; both sides need something different. Everything was carefully evaluated, and we tried to handle it as respectfully and responsibly as possible.“
One of the team’s leaders emphasized that they tried to part as amicably as possible because G. Žibėnas is a „mega important person“ for „Rytas“.
„We parted without resentment; that stage came. I hope Giedrius feels the same,“ M. Giga told G. Miknevičiūtė about the separation and added that the quarterfinal loss was not the only reason for the farewell. – It was brewing. If everything were perfect, neither side would part.“
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It was brewing. If everything were perfect, neither side would part
On June 24, „Rytas“ announced that N. Pacevičius became the team’s strategist. Earlier, media reports had appeared that the capital’s team had talks with Kazys Maksvytis and Italian Francesco Tabellini.
„It all ended very laughably, supposedly the main reason was that I am inexperienced. <…> If you are so principled, then be so with everyone and don’t take anyone,“ K. Maksvytis said on the „BasketNews“ show „Off The Record“.
„It’s not quite like that that this was the only reason. We have to consider all aspects. But is it the only aspect – definitely not.
No decision was reached; opinions and information were gathered on that matter. There were more aspects we evaluated. What kind of coach he is, how he will integrate, his character, his own desire, salary,“ M. Giga countered the strategist.
In the conversation, the „Rytas“ general director emphasized that the fans’ voice was significant in making the decision and added that no final contract was signed with K. Maksvytis.
The same was true with the Italian F. Tabellini.
„It was understood that he does not want to be here. He will wait for another contract in the Euroleague,“ one of the Vilnius club’s leaders said about the failed negotiations.
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