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Already tonight, Euroleague basketball will return to the “Žalgiris” stadium in Kaunas, and so far the most serious rivals, Martin Schiller’s students will find themselves in a good mood. It sounds unusual and perhaps unexpected, but the only “Žalgiris” in the Euroleague has yet to suffer a single defeat.
The Istanbul team “Anadolu Efes” arrives in Kaunas. Besides Shane Larkin, but with faces well known to Žalgiris fans: James Anderson and Vasily Micic.
This double week, Anadolu Efes is on the road: he started in Berlin, where he achieved two victories, and now he has arrived in Lithuania. During the coronavirus period, the Istanbul Club decided to travel on charter flights, which makes life much easier for the team.
“We fly smoothly, we use charter flights this season, so it saves time. I think it will be very useful as the season progresses, “said V. Micičius happy for the opportunity.
Both the Istanbul and Kaunas clubs can rest for the moment that the coronavirus is not very disturbing the plans, unlike what is in France or Russia. V.Micičius claims that one has to come to terms with such a reality and try to protect oneself, if there is a possibility, because there is still no other way out.
“We are faced with something that is a challenge for the entire population, the world, so we are only a small part of the puzzle. We have to do our best to survive this. It will not be easy, but we will try to wait for this period.
In general, in Turkey, the requirements are not very strict, it is all the responsibility of the people and I think we are doing quite well. As players, we take care of ourselves and try not to go where it is not necessary. So far everything is going well, let’s hope it continues, “said one of Anadolu Efes’ most important players.
Micicus
For the Istanbul team, last season and its end was tremendously painful. After round 28, Ergin Ataman’s students were first in the league and were the most realistic contenders for the title, but they were left without him.
The former Žalgiris doesn’t think much about this, because he realizes that it was an unforeseen factor.
“I understand everything, I guess how difficult it was for everyone to make a decision and stop the season. We are faced with something new for everyone, for all organizations: it is not easy for everyone to adapt. Panic would be the worst, they just have to deal with the situation together and hopefully that will happen. Somehow we hope to beat this entire season.
I don’t feel hurt. The situation is simply much more difficult than any game, any championship, because people die, someone loses family members, it is much more important than winning trophies. Yes, we were not lucky, but I am glad that we are still in the same lineup ”, he hopes.
In fact, the Istanbul team has made the least change in the summer and this season looks almost identical to last. The reasons for this? Set tested and eager to complete the work that began a year ago.
“It just came to our notice then. Yes, we had problems with injuries, cases of coronavirus (the players were infected in the Copa Gloria tournament – Krepsinis.net), but everything is fine, we accept it.
The fact that we are not a new lineup can benefit us as we have missed a stage where we should meet, play with newcomers, and transform players into the right game. Yes, it takes time, we haven’t played in half a year, but I think everything will be fine, “said V. Micicius.
Vasa himself remembers the experience at “Žalgiris” with good words and is happy with the lessons learned here, but admits that he feels that he has discovered even greater enjoyment of basketball in Istanbul.
Last season’s statistics reached 14.5 points, 5.8 effective passes and 16 utility points in 31 minutes, Vasilije still earns 12.3 points, makes 7.7 passes and accumulates 11.7 utility points.
“I am very happy in this team, I have never played anywhere for so long, for the third year in a row. It shows that I enjoy the game here. I think the last two years have been the best of my career. I try to remain the way I have been. in recent seasons, to make my contribution, enjoy the game, take advantage of my role in which I feel great.
The biggest difference is always the experience in the field. Since the year at Žalgiris, I have made a lot of benefits and Ataman made connections, I got freedom in the game, I got a good set of things that help me to reveal myself in the best way that I can. I hope he stays for at least another season, “said V. Micicius.
Micicus
Anadolu Efes achieved the first win of the season in Berlin alone, before falling against the St. Petersburg teams Zenit and Istanbul Fenerbahche.
“Maybe people didn’t expect that, but I think the most important thing is that we learned lessons from these games. The most important thing is that we are healthy and get back on track. Before ALBA we played better, we moved better on the pitch, we showed how talented a team can be, ”he said.
Now on the path of the Istanbul team – “Žalgiris”, which, according to V.Micičius, surprises many with his game.
“I like the game of” Žalgiris “, the Lithuanian contribution is very important for the team. Importantly, they started the season with three wins, maybe someone was skeptical about them when Shar left the team, the coaches changed. But “Žalgiris” has good dedication from the local players and everything can only be enjoyed over time, “says a former Žalgiris resident.
V.Micičius himself is surprised and impressed by Rokas Jokubaitis, whom he remembers from his period in Kaunas.
“He plays very well, he has improved a lot since I saw him in Kaunas. Without a doubt, a year with Shara helped him to advance and mature, especially when he wins games. I’m happy to see how young players increase their minutes and show that they can play, ”says V.Micičius.
He is also happy with his former coach Šarūnas Jasikevičius, whose career turned to Barcelona in the summer.
“I fully expected him because during the years I spent in his team, I realized that he was a coach of that level. I knew that his biggest dream was ‘Barça’, it finally happened, so I’m very happy for him and I think he will become a big part of the history of this team, “says Vasa.
The “Žalgiris” stadium during the coronavirus period can be half full and host about 7 thousand fans. It is possible that they will meet for the first home game at the “Žalgiris” stadium.
“I love playing in this arena, it is still a special place for me. I have many good memories of this place and I am always happy to be back. If there are so many fans, today it is a lot, we long for a game with such an audience, so I think that after a long time we will feel one of the best sensations in the arena ”, he hopes.
The match between Žalgiris and Anadolu Efes will take place tonight at 8 pm
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