We are used to seeing Kaunas “Žalgiris” in the LKL final.
Since Lithuania regained Independence, “Žalgiris” has appeared in the final gold medal matches 35 times, only once remaining outside the final (in 2022, they finished third), and lifting the title 28 times.
And this season, the club led by Tomas Masiulis powerfully made its way to the final – despite focusing on the Euroleague and taking fifth place there, Žalgiris won the regular championship by a large margin, winning 31 out of 32 games.
Žalgiris confidently overcame the playoff barriers, defeating the Jonava club 2-0, and Panevėžys “Lietkabelis” 3-0.
At a glance
Three talented Kaunas “Žalgiris” basketball players are moving overseas
Velička’s ignited “Neptūnas” cooled down the Estonian-led “Lietkabelis”
“Neptūnas” coach was happy to have predicted the opponents, “Lietkabelis” coach urged the team to wake up
However, on the other side of the playoff bracket, a magical story unfolded, created by the Utena “Juventus” team.
The club, which finished only seventh in the regular season, eliminated regular LKL finalist Vilnius “Rytas” 2-0 in the quarterfinals, and Klaipėda “Neptūnas” 3-1 in the semifinals.
Throughout the club’s history, the Utena team, which won bronze medals only once – in 2015 – now knows that it will be adorned with higher-value awards.
Before the season, the Utena club, which declared a budget of 1.6 million euros, is financially more than ten times behind “Žalgiris” (over 20 million).
But perhaps “Juventus” will create more surprises?
Answers will begin to emerge from Sunday’s match in Kaunas, where the first final showdown started at 4:50 PM, and the course of the match and the hottest comments after the game are provided by 15min.
Live 30 s.
Newest at the top
Newest at the bottom
17:41
20 min. “Žalgiris” had an 18-point lead, but is confidently leading (45:34), having very effectively utilized its big men in the first half. M.Wright scored 9 points, Ą.Tubelis 8, L.Birutis – 7. S.Francisco scored all 7 points in the second quarter. Žalgiris made 16 two-pointers out of 24.
In addition, the hosts are keeping a close eye on the opponents’ leaders. Although M.Lewis scored 11 points, other leaders are currently struggling – P.Valinskas only scored 4, L.Uleckas and H.Diarra 3 points each. I.Vranešas remains with zero.
Utena players made only 10 two-pointers out of 25.
17:34
18 min. Utena’s run with shots from M.Lewis and P.Valinskas. After their streak, “Žalgiris”‘s lead decreased to 13 points (42:29).
17 min. In the Utena team, M.Lewis feels the most confident. The American scored 9 points and made a powerful dunk. But “Žalgiris” is still leading 42:24.
17:26
15 min. Utena team’s offensive leader P.Valinskas scored his first points with his sixth shot.
17:24
14 min. S.Francisco joined the game. His 7 points in the second quarter, and “Žalgiris” continues to manage in its arena as if in practice: 38:20.
17:15
10 min. D.Sleva hit “Žalgiris”‘s first three-pointer just as the siren announced the end of the first quarter, and the Kaunas team finished the quarter leading 27:13.
The hosts, who found their big men perfectly, made 10 two-pointers out of 13. Utena players made only 3 two-pointers out of 12.
17:12
9 min. “Žalgiris” has not made a single three-pointer (0/3), but still pulled away 21:8. Utena players made only 3 shots out of 14.
17:06
7 min. Utena basketball players are finding it difficult to break through the opponents’ defense today. “Juventus”‘s most productive player P.Valinskas missed his first three shots playing against his former team and remains with zero. “Žalgiris” leads 17:8.
16:59
5 min. M.Wright has already scored 7 points, and L.Birutis, who replaced him, dunked from above, with “Žalgiris” led by its centers, leading 11:6.
16:57
4 min. Former “Žalgiris” system alumnus L.Uleckas hit a three-pointer, with which “Juventus” caught up with the hosts – 6:6.
